“Shawn Mendes: Canadian Singer-Songwriter, Chart-Topping Hits, Global Influence, Numerous Prestigious Music Awards in Dynamic Career.”
Birth Name : Shawn Peter Raul Mendes
Born : August 8, 1998 (age 25)
Place : Pickering, Ontario, Canada
Genres
Pop ; Folk-pop; Pop rock
Occupation(s):
Singer ; Songwriter; Musician
Instrument(s) :
Vocals : Guitar : Piano
Years active: 2013–present
About
Shawn Peter Raul Mendes, born August 8, 1998, is a Canadian singer-songwriter who kickstarted his career in 2013 by sharing song covers on Vine. His talent quickly drew attention, leading to a record deal with Island Records thanks to artist manager Andrew Gertler and Island Records A&R Ziggy Chareton.
In 2014, he released his first EP, followed by his debut studio album “Handwritten” in 2015. It made an impressive debut at number one on the US Billboard 200, a remarkable feat for someone under 18.
The single “Stitches” soared to number one in the UK and cracked the top 10 in the US and Canada.
His success continued with “Illuminate” in 2016, also debuting at number one in the US, with hits like “Treat You Better” and “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back “.
The trend of success carried on with his self-titled third studio album (2018), featuring the impactful single “In My Blood,” achieving yet another number one debut in the US.
In the following years, Mendes delivered hit singles such as “If I Can’t Have You” and “Señorita” (2019), the latter topping the US Billboard Hot 100. His fourth studio album, “Wonder” (2020), solidified his status as the youngest male artist to top the Billboard 200 with four studio albums.
His accomplishments are impressive, boasting 13 SOCAN awards, 10 MTV Europe Music Awards, eight Juno Awards, eight iHeartRadio MMVAs, two American Music Awards, and multiple Grammy and Brit Award nominations. In 2018, Time Magazine honored him among the 100 most influential people globally on their annual list.
Early life
Shawn Peter Raul Mendes, born on August 8, 1998, in Pickering, Ontario, hails from an English-Portuguese background. His mother, Karen, works in real estate, while his father, Manuel, a businessman from the Algarve, operates a business in Toronto supplying bars and restaurants. He grew up alongside his younger sister, Aaliyah, in a household rooted in religion.
During his youth, Mendes actively participated in soccer with Pickering FC and attended Pine Ridge Secondary School. Graduating in June 2016, he immersed himself in various activities, from playing ice hockey and soccer to engaging in his high school glee club. He also honed his stage presence through acting lessons, even taking on the role of Prince Charming. Additionally, he pursued an audition for Disney Channel in Toronto.
Career
2013–2015: Handwritten
At 13 in 2012, Shawn Mendes learned guitar through YouTube tutorials. Within a year, he started sharing covers on YouTube and Vine, gaining rapid attention for his rendition of Justin Bieber’s “As Long as You Love Me.” This catapulted him to Vine stardom, amassing millions of views and followers for his brief song snippets.
Viewed as a role model by Mendes, Bieber’s success inspired him. By August 2014, he ranked as the third most-followed musician on Vine. Artist manager Andrew Gertler discovered Mendes online in November 2013, leading to his signing with Island Records in May 2014 after winning Ryan Seacrest’s “Best Cover Song” contest with “Say Something” by A Great Big World.
Mendes released his debut single “Life of the Party” in June 2014, becoming the youngest artist to debut in the top 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100. He toured with Magcon and Austin Mahone and dropped his EP, hitting number five on the Billboard 200 and winning a Teen Choice award for Webstar in Music.
In 2015, Mendes released his album “Handwritten,” debuting at number one on the Billboard 200. The single “Stitches” marked his first US top 10 and UK number one. He opened for Taylor Swift’s 1989 World Tour and collaborated with Camila Cabello on “I Know What You Did Last Summer.” Time recognized his influence, listing him among the most influential teens in 2014 and 2015 for his chart achievements.
2016–2017: Illuminate
In January 2016, Shawn Mendes debuted on The CW’s The 100. He announced the Shawn Mendes World Tour, selling out 38 shows in minutes across North America and Europe.
“Treat You Better,” from his second album, peaked in the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped both the Adult Contemporary and Adult Pop Songs charts in the US. Illuminate, released in September 2016, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and went platinum. “Mercy,” the album’s second single, achieved double platinum status.
His Illuminate World Tour in April 2017 sold out arenas globally. “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back,” part of Illuminate’s deluxe edition, became Mendes’ third US top 10 single and his third number-one on both Adult Contemporary and Adult Pop Songs charts. He broke records on Billboard’s charts and earned spots on influential lists by Time and Forbes.
2018–2019: Shawn Mendes
In March 2018, Shawn Mendes released the lead single “In My Blood” followed by “Lost in Japan” the next day. “In My Blood” topped the Billboard Adult Pop Songs chart, marking Mendes as the first artist with four number one singles before turning 20.
His self-titled studio album debuted at number one in Canada and the US, highlighting his songwriting growth. Mendes embarked on a world tour in 2019, headlining festivals and appearing on TV shows like The Late Late Show and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
He starred in a documentary directed by YouTube star Casey Neistat, part of YouTube’s Artist Spotlight Story series. Additionally, Mendes collaborated with DJ Zedd on a remix of “Lost in Japan,” performed at the American Music Awards, and appeared on Billboard’s “21 Under 21 2018” list.
In October, Mendes featured on CMT Crossroads with Zac Brown Band and later performed at the 2018 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. He closed the year with a three-song remix EP titled The Album (Remixes).
In 2019, Mendes released singles “If I Can’t Have You” and “Señorita” with Camila Cabello. Both singles soared on the charts, with “Señorita” becoming his first Hot 100 chart-topper. He re-released his album’s deluxe edition, including these hit songs.
2020–present: Wonder and Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
In September 2020, Shawn Mendes announced his fourth album, “Wonder,” releasing its lead single on October 2. The album included “Intro,” revealed through promotional videos. “Wonder” peaked at number 18 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
He revealed a documentary, “Shawn Mendes: In Wonder,” chronicling his life, and a concert film, “Shawn Mendes: Live in Concert,” released on Netflix in November 2020.
Collaborating with Justin Bieber on “Monster,” Mendes released the second single. “Monster” peaked at number eight on the Hot 100. He performed the song at the 2020 American Music Awards alongside “Wonder.”
In December, the album “Wonder” debuted at number one in the US and Canada. Mendes held an event, “Wonder: The Experience,” and performed “Dream” on The Late Late Show with James Corden.
In August 2021, he released “Summer of Love” with Tainy and announced his role as an executive producer for the TV adaptation of the video game Life Is Strange.
Planning his “Wonder: The World Tour,” Mendes eventually postponed and canceled shows due to mental health reasons, expressing his commitment to music.
In November 2021, he teased a new single, “It’ll Be Okay,” released in December. In March 2022, Mendes premiered “When You’re Gone” at SXSW 2022.
He lent his voice to the title character in the movie adaptation of Bernard Waber’s “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile,” a singing crocodile.
Personal life
Since July 2019, Shawn Mendes dated Camila Cabello, their relationship initially raising scrutiny for being publicity-driven. However, Mendes clarified it wasn’t a publicity stunt. They announced their split in November 2021.
Addressing speculations about his sexuality, Mendes emphasized that it shouldn’t overshadow his music. He stressed the focus should be on his artistry rather than his personal life.
Mendes openly discussed battling anxiety, notably in his song “In My Blood.” He shared his approach to coping, highlighting that therapy takes various forms, from talking to a professional to finding solace in activities like music, exercise, or spending time with loved ones. He acknowledged the importance of opening up and connecting with others as a means of healing from anxiety.
Accolades and Achievements
Mendes boasts an impressive list of accolades:
18 SOCAN awards
12 Juno Awards
11 MTV Europe Music Awards
8 iHeartRadio MMVAs
5 BMI Award
3 American Music Awards
2 MTV Video Music Awards
He received the Allan Slaight Honour from Canada’s Walk of Fame.
Additionally, he’s garnered
3 Grammy nominations and
1 Brit Award nod.
