Being a Shawn Mendes fan is weird. On one hand, you’re supporting an old soul, a mature and professional artist who’s dedicated to what he does and cares for his fans so much you’d think you’re part of his family before you even meet him. On the other hand, you also know your idol is still a kid whose innocence you want to preserve and whom you want to keep away from the troubles of the world (and from falling off the stage). It’s like taking the role of both a supporter and a parent when it comes to this one. Today is a big day for us supporters/parents because finally, our favorite Muffin Man is officially no longer a teenager.
I personally am a new part of the Mendes Army. I “discovered” Shawn just about three months ago as I was looking for live performances of Camila Cabello because my best friend could not stop talking about her. (And also, she’s awesome.) This video about a certain Shawn Mendes opening up about his sexuality keeps on popping up on my recommendations, so I finally clicked it. It was the video Shawn posted in which he clarified that he is not gay and that sexuality should not even be an issue because he’d like people to focus on his music, not on his personal preferences. That immediately impressed me. He handled the situation well at such a young age, and I decided to search for more. I found out I’d been a fan of his work already and had been singing some of his songs before even finding out about him. I know a lot of people criticize his fans for liking him only because of his looks, but trust me, his musical genius precedes his physical appearance. Take it from someone who heard him first before seeing him.
I then went on to watch his Carpool Karaoke with James Corden. That show introduced me to Mercy, In My Blood, and Lost in Japan. The lyrics of the second song just tugged on my heartstrings. It is such an honest and relatable song, and I found myself destroying the replay button on Youtube. His performance of Mercy at the Honda Stage in Canada made me realize how awesome he sounds live. Man, those high notes were just perfect!
Needless to say, I got hooked on the Mendes fever. How could you not admire someone who’s not only talented and (oh my gosh) drop-dead gorgeous but also sincere and dedicated to his supporters and to what he does? I know I speak for the whole Mendes Army when I say that Shawn makes us feel part of a big and very much loved family whether we’ve seen him in person or not. And today, as he sets out into the world no longer a teenager, I know we’re all wishing him the best in his career, family life, and love life. And although change is inevitable, I know we’re hoping that he won’t change in terms of the things we love about him most—his humility, down-to-earth kindness, and his pure, unadulterated craziness.
So here’s to Shawn on his twentieth! Maybe we’ll meet someday, but for now, I’m just another fan whose walls are covered with his pictures, admiring him from a distance.
Maligayang Kaarawan, Shawn!
Love from the Philippines!
It's a Ping Thing 