In an evening full of emotions at the Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado, Canadian singer-songwriter Shawn Mendes decided to address a topic that has been the subject of speculation for years: his sexuality.
At 26 years old and on tour, the “There’s nothing holding me back” singer shared an honest and reflective moment with his followers, giving them a personal perspective on his process of self-discovery.
While performing his new song, “The Mountain,” Mendes took the audience on an exploration of his personal life through the song’s lyrics, where he says: “Some days I change my mind / You can say whatever you want to say / You can say I’m too young / Or too old / You can say I like girls or boys / Whatever you think.”
These words resonated with the audience, who noticed a new sincerity in the artist, who has been adapting his concerts on this tour to include moments of intimate conversation with his followers.
His message between songs about the complexity of sexuality
During a break in the concert, Mendes revealed that since his teenage years he has felt the pressure to define his sexuality in the public eye. “Since I was very young, there has been this issue around my sexuality, and people have been talking about it for a long time,” he explained to the public, as can be seen in a video shared on social networks.
With a voice charged with emotion, he went on to say that he has always felt that public discussion about his sexuality is an intrusion into a private aspect of his life, something that he himself still does not fully understand. “The truth is, it’s something I’m still discovering in myself,” he confessed.
Being vulnerable, he admitted that he does not always understand
Mendes’ conversation with his fans continued into a reflection on the complexity of sexuality. “I think sexuality is a beautifully complex thing, and it’s very difficult to fit it into a single category,” he stated.
With these words, the artist showed a vulnerability that he had rarely shared before in his performances, adding that he is trying to be honest and authentic about his life and his identity. “The true reality of my life and my sexuality is that, like everyone, I am also in that process of discovery. “Sometimes I understand it, and other times I don’t,” he admitted, alluding that the process can sometimes be intimidating in a world that frequently seeks to classify people.
Public pressure on your identity
Mendes also spoke about the impact that social pressure has on his love life, highlighting that, being a public figure, he often feels the need to meet the expectations of those who follow him. “There is a lot of pressure to find ‘the right person’,” he commented, referring to the expectations surrounding his romantic relationships. According to the singer, he has learned to release that pressure and enjoy affection and company in the moment, without feeling the need to conform to a specific label or label.
With these words, Mendes revealed that he is in a stage of self-understanding, trying to find his own way in an environment full of external opinions.