Shawn Mendes: Exploring Identity, One Step at a Time

Shawn Mendes, the 26-year-old singer-songwriter, recently opened up about his journey with understanding his own sexuality. During a concert at Colorado's Red Rocks Amphitheatre, he performed an unreleased track called "The Mountain, " which seems to address the ongoing rumors about his sexual orientation. Mendes shared that he feels the speculation about his sexuality has been intrusive, as it's a deeply personal matter he's still figuring out. He believes sexuality is complex and can't be easily categorized into boxes. Mendes expressed that writing "The Mountain" was important to him because it allowed him to address his feelings in an intimate way. He admitted that he's still exploring his identity and that it can be scary given society's expectations. He wants to be brave and true to himself, focusing on his experiences and emotions rather than external pressures. Back in 2016, when he was 17, Mendes had addressed the rumors in a Snapchat video, stating that his sexuality shouldn't matter and that the focus should be on his music. Now, with his new album "Shawn" set to release on Nov. 15, Mendes continues to navigate his identity in the public eye.