Shawn Mendes' dating history explored as singer says he’s still figuring out his sexuality

Loewe : Outside - Paris Fashion Week - Womenswear Fall/Winter 2024-2025 - Source: Getty
Shawn Mendes (Photo by Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images)

As Shawn Mendes is all set to release his new album, Shawn in November, he has already begun the musical tour for this upcoming release.

He recently performed The Mountain at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Colorado, US concert. During his performance, the Treat You Better singer opened up on his sexuality in a heartfelt speech.

β€œI was really young when I started, I was 15 years old,” he said speaking about his career in the music industry."
β€œSince I was really young, there’s been this thing about my sexuality, and people have been talking about it for so long. I think it’s kind of silly, because I think sexuality is such a beautifully complex thing and it’s so hard to just put into boxes,” he continued.

Shawn also reflected upon how he has always felt intruded when it comes to his identity. He said:

β€œIt always felt like such an intrusion on something very personal to me, something that I was figuring out in myself, something that I had yet to discover, and still have yet to discover.”

The 26-year-old added that he is still trying to figure it out. He further said that he feels scared to embrace it because of the society.

β€œThe real truth about my life and my sexuality is that, man, I’m just figuring it out like everyone. I don’t really know sometimes and I know other times. And it feels really scary because we live in a society that has a lot to say about that.”

Shawn Mendes’s past relationships


1) Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello

Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello met in 2014 as opening performers for Austin Mahone’s musical tour. In 2015, the pair collaborated on their first single, I Know What You Did Last Summer. Later in 2019, they released their second track, Senorita, which gave an inkling of their budding romance.

The couple were then found holding hands and kissing in public. Their relationship was confirmed in August 2019 when Cabello wrote, β€œI love you” to Shawn in a birthday post. The couple announced their break up in an Instagram post in 2021.

Celebrity Sightings in New York City - September 25, 2021 - Source: Getty
Celebrity Sightings in New York City - September 25, 2021 - Source: Getty

2) Shawn Mendes and Hailey Bieber

Shawn Mendes and Hailey Bieber fueled relationship rumors during their red-carpet debut at the 2018 Met Gala. Although the rumored couple had been romantically linked since 2017, they never went public about it. Speaking about his relationship, Mendes shared his views with Rolling Stones in a 2018 interview:

β€œI don’t even wanna put a title on it. I think it was more of a zone of limbo. She’s still one of the f**king coolest people ever β€” she’s not just a beautiful person visually, but she’s one of the most beautiful hearts I’ve ever met. I think I’m an idiot to not, you know … But you can’t control your heart.”

The couple broke up later in 2018.


3) Shawn Mendes and Sabrina Carpenter

Shawn Mendes and Sabrina Carpenter sparked dating rumors after they were spotted walking around L.A. and at some events together. In March 2023, a source confirmed to Entertainment Tonight that Shawn and Sabrina were in a relationship. Shawn broke his silence about the rumors of dating Sabrina on March 17 when he denied it.

Image via Instagram/@shawnmendes & @sabrinacarpenter
Image via Instagram/@shawnmendes & @sabrinacarpenter

How did fans react to Shawn Mendes’ sexuality?

As soon as Shawn Mendes’ fans became aware of his Colorado speech on his sexuality, they rushed to social media to support the singer.

β€œhe shouldn’t have to explain anything to anyone, honestly,” wrote a fan on X.
β€œWhat a beautiful message,” a fan tweeted.
β€œi kinda feel bad for him because he kind of gets cyber bullied to come out of the closet,” one person wrote.
β€œCan he just breath, like whatever he is, he should feel comfortable speaking about it whenever he wants to,” another wrote.
β€œHis new song, "The Mountain," seems to address these themes, with lyrics like, "You can say I like girls or boys / Whatever fits your mold." It's clear that Mendes is taking a stand against the societal expectations and pressures that come with exploring one's sexuality,” someone else tweeted on X.

According to Shawn Mendes’ Instagram post, his new album which is comprised of 12 tracks, will be released on November 15.

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Edited by Apoorva Jujjavarapu