Shawn Mendes fans have rushed to defend the singer after he spoke about his sexuality on stage after years of being harassed.
The Canadian singer, 26, is currently on tour and last night performed in Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado.
Mid-performance, the star spoke openly about the speculation around his sexuality, admitting he is still ‘figuring it out’.
‘The real truth about my life and sexuality is that, man I’m just figuring it out like everyone.
‘I don’t really know sometimes and I know other times. It feels really scary because we live in a society that has a lot to say about that,’ he confessed.
While a lot of people praised the singer for being so open, some couldn’t help but feel that the singer shouldn’t have felt pressured to speak about his sexuality, after constant speculation throughout his career about his orientation.
‘I’m not even a fan of Shawn. But this man has been harassed for what, a decade, over his sexuality. He shouldn’t have to open up about anything if he doesn’t want to,’ Withlovejohana said on X.
‘This was so beautifully said but i’m so upset. y’all have bullied Shawn Mendes for a decade and it seems yall have forced him out the closet almost. constant speculation on someone’s sexuality is so weird and invasive I’ll never understand the obsession,’ Heavensballroom said.
‘As Shawn Mendes feels the need to open up about his sexuality, we all need to remember something very important. No one owes you their sexuality. No one, especially LGBTIAQ+ people and their allies, should be questioning and/or ‘predicting’ if anyone is queer or not. Stop it,’ WeeSociologist added.
‘Leave Shawn Mendes Alone, no one is entitled to comment on anyone’s sexuality, it’s personal & a journey for all,’ said GothItBoy.
‘O ya btw (going back to shawn mendes) it’s very weird for anyone or even the public to speculate on a minor’s sexuality which is what he has had to deal with publicly ever since he was 15 so there’s that !’ said Bpink_liv
‘I’m actually so sad shawn mendes had to say something about his sexuality because people (especially on this app) can’t stop prying into it and start assuming whatever they want. others people sexuality is NOT your business,’ said Getyourhearton said.
This wouldn’t be the first time that media speculation has led a celebrity to feel forced to speak about their sexuality.
In October 2022, heartstopper star Kit O’Connor revealed he was bisexual after intense speculation about his own preferences.
In a tweet, the star wrote: ‘Back for a minute. I’m bi. Congrats for forcing an 18-year-old to out himself. I think some of you missed the point of the show. Bye.’
And this isn’t the only time this has been the case. Neil Patrick Harris was forced to come out in 2006 and George Michael was forced to come out in 1998.
In 2018 Lee Pace was forced to come out during an interview with W Magazine.
‘I’ve dated men. I’ve dated women. I don’t know why anyone would care. I’m an actor, and I play roles. To be honest, I don’t know what to say. I find your question intrusive,’ he said at the time.
Shawn has publically dated Camila Cabello from 2019 until the pair called it quits in 2021.
The singer has also been linked to Sabrina Carpenter and Hailey Bieber, and in a recent song, he suggested he got a famous ex-girlfriend pregnant with very honest new lyrics.
It’s unclear who he was discussing in the tune, but the singer attempts to keep his relationships – even with fellow celebrities – under wraps.