Introducing Shawn Mendes
cbr, 2025 - #nowplaying - Treat You better - Shawn Mendes
written by a member of the wcs
Let's dive into the world of Shawn Mendes, the dreamy Canadian singer who's been stealing hearts and topping charts since his teens. His story is like a modern-day fairy tale, and I'm totally here for it!
1. Early Years:
- Born on August 8, 1998, in Pickering, Ontario
- Grew up in a close-knit family with his parents, Karen and Manuel, and younger sister, Aaliyah
- Started playing guitar at 13, teaching himself through YouTube tutorials (how cool is that?)
- Performed in his school's glee club and drama productions (total theater kid vibes!)
2. Rise to Fame:
- In 2014, at just 15, he started posting six-second covers on Vine
- His rendition of Justin Bieber's "As Long As You Love Me" went viral overnight
- Caught the attention of artist manager Andrew Gertler and got signed to Island Records
- Released his debut single "Life of the Party" in June 2014
3. Chart-Topping Hits:
- "Stitches" (2015) - his first top 10 hit in the US and UK
- "Treat You Better" (2016) - peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100
- "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back" (2017) - reached No. 1 in several countries
- "In My Blood" (2018) - an anthem about anxiety that resonated with fans worldwide
- "Señorita" (2019) - a steamy summer hit that had everyone talking
4. Album Success:
- "Handwritten" (2015) - debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200
- "Illuminate" (2016) - showcased his growth as a songwriter
- "Shawn Mendes" (2018) - a more mature sound that critics loved
- "Wonder" (2020) - his most introspective work to date
5. Award-Winning Career:
- 13 SOCAN awards
- 10 MTV Europe Music Awards
- 8 Juno Awards (Canada's Grammys)
- 2 American Music Awards
- 1 Grammy nomination (fingers crossed for a win soon!)
6. Mindfulness Journey:
- Released a series of guided meditations
- Helps fans find peace and calm in their daily lives
- Combines his musical talent with wellness practices
- Openly discusses his own struggles with anxiety, inspiring fans to prioritize mental health
7. Philanthropy:
- Established the Shawn Mendes Foundation in 2019
- Focuses on youth-related causes in health, human rights, education, and environmental sustainability
- Raised over $1 million for COVID-19 relief efforts in 2020
Shawn's not just about the music - he's got this whole other side that's all about mindfulness, self-care, and giving back. His guided meditations are seriously life-changing, like he's inviting us into his own personal oasis of calm. And the way he uses his platform to raise awareness for important causes? Total heart-eyes.
From small-town Canadian boy to global pop sensation to meditation guru, Shawn Mendes proves you can have it all - talent, success, a zen attitude, and a big heart. His journey from posting covers in his bedroom to selling out arenas worldwide is seriously inspiring. It just goes to show that with passion, hard work, and a killer voice, anything is possible!
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to listen to "In My Blood" on repeat while I try to channel some of that Mendes mindfulness and maybe learn a guitar chord or two (wish me luck!). TTYL!