History of Shawn Mendes in Timeline
Shawn Mendes is a Canadian singer-songwriter who rose to prominence in 2013 through his song covers on Vine. He secured a record deal with Island Records in 2014 after being discovered by Andrew Gertler and Ziggy Chareton. His debut EP was released in 2014, and his debut album, Handwritten, topped the Billboard 200 chart in 2015, making him one of the youngest artists to achieve this. His single "Stitches" became a major hit, reaching number one in the UK and the top 10 in both the US and Canada.
1989: Opening for Taylor Swift's 1989 World Tour
In 2015, Shawn Mendes opened for Taylor Swift during her 1989 World Tour dates for North America.
August 8, 1998: Shawn Mendes's birth
On August 8, 1998, Shawn Peter Raul Mendes was born in Toronto, Canada.
2012: Learning to play guitar
In 2012, at the age of 13, Shawn Mendes learned to play guitar by watching YouTube tutorial videos.
November 2013: Discovery by Andrew Gertler
In November 2013, artist manager Andrew Gertler discovered Shawn Mendes online.
2013: Gaining a following on Vine
In 2013, Shawn Mendes gained a following by posting song covers on the video-sharing platform Vine.
January 2014: Introduction to Island Records
In January 2014, Andrew Gertler brought Shawn Mendes to Island Records.
May 2014: Signing with Island Records
In May 2014, Shawn Mendes officially signed with Island Records.
June 26, 2014: Release of "Life of the Party"
On June 26, 2014, Shawn Mendes released his first single "Life of the Party".
July 12, 2014: Debut on Billboard Hot 100
For the week ending July 12, 2014, Shawn Mendes became the youngest to debut in the top 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100 with "Life of the Party", making it to number 24.
August 2014: Third most-followed musician on Vine
By August 2014, Shawn Mendes was the third most-followed musician on Vine.
September 5, 2014: Release of "Oh Cecilia (Breaking My Heart)"
On September 5, 2014, "Oh Cecilia (Breaking My Heart)" featuring Shawn Mendes was released as the fifth single from the Vamps' debut album, Meet the Vamps.
November 6, 2014: Release of "Something Big"
On November 6, 2014, "Something Big" was released as the second single.
2014: Launch of "Notes from Shawn" Campaign
In 2014, Shawn Mendes and DoSomething.org launched the "Notes from Shawn" campaign, encouraging fans to write positive notes and leave them in unexpected places to address low self-esteem, depression, and awareness of self-harm.
2014: Signing with Island Records
In 2014, Shawn Mendes caught the attention of artist manager Andrew Gertler and Island Records A&R Ziggy Chareton, leading to his signing a deal with Island Records.
2014: Listing among Time's "25 Most Influential Teens"
In 2014, Shawn Mendes was listed among Time's "25 Most Influential Teens of 2014", debuting in the list.
April 14, 2015: Release of "Handwritten" album
On April 14, 2015, Shawn Mendes released his full-length album Handwritten, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.
2015: Listing among Time's "30 Most Influential Teens"
In 2015, Shawn Mendes was listed in Time's "The 30 Most Influential Teens of 2015", making the list after his debut album topped the Billboard 200.
2015: Release of debut studio album Handwritten
In 2015, Shawn Mendes's debut studio album, Handwritten, was released. Handwritten debuted atop the US Billboard 200, making Mendes one of five artists ever to debut at number one before the age of 18.
January 21, 2016: Acting debut on The 100
On January 21, 2016, Shawn Mendes made his acting debut on The CW's The 100 third-season premiere.
March 2016: Shawn Mendes World Tour start
In March 2016, Shawn Mendes's second world tour as a headliner, the Shawn Mendes World Tour, started.
June 2016: Graduation from Pine Ridge Secondary School
In June 2016, Shawn Mendes graduated from Pine Ridge Secondary School, where he played ice hockey and soccer, joined his high school glee club, and took acting lessons.
June 2016: Release of "Treat You Better"
In June 2016, Shawn Mendes released "Treat You Better", the lead single from his second studio album.
June 2016: Response to speculations about sexuality
In June 2016, Shawn Mendes stated that he is not gay and that the focus should be on the music, not his sexuality, regarding speculations about his sexuality.
August 18, 2016: Release of "Mercy"
On August 18, 2016, Shawn Mendes released "Mercy" as the second single from his album.
September 23, 2016: Release of Illuminate
On September 23, 2016, Shawn Mendes released the album, Illuminate, which debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200.
December 3, 2016: Appearance on Saturday Night Live
On December 3, 2016, Shawn Mendes appeared as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live.
December 2016: Release of Live at Madison Square Garden album
In December 2016, Shawn Mendes released the live album Live at Madison Square Garden.
2016: Signing with Wilhelmina Models
In 2016, Shawn Mendes signed with Wilhelmina Models.
2016: Listing among Time's "30 Most Influential Teens"
In 2016, Shawn Mendes was listed among Time's The 30 Most Influential Teens.
2016: Illuminate album debut
In 2016, Shawn Mendes's second album Illuminate debuted at number one in the US. The singles "Treat You Better" and "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back" reached the top 10 in several countries.
April 2017: Illuminate World Tour
In April 2017, Shawn Mendes embarked on his Illuminate World Tour, which sold-out arenas around the world.
April 20, 2017: Release of "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back"
On April 20, 2017, Shawn Mendes released the single "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back", included on his Illuminate deluxe edition.
June 2017: Runway Walk for Emporio Armani
In June 2017, Shawn Mendes walked the runway during the "Emporio Armani Spring 2018" show in Milan, Italy, wearing the brand's new smartwatch, EA Connected.
August 2017: Three number-one songs on the Billboard Adult Pop Songs chart
In August 2017, Shawn Mendes became the first artist under 20 years old to have three number-one songs on the Billboard Adult Pop Songs chart.
August 2017: Launch of Shawn Mendes Signature Fragrance
In August 2017, Shawn Mendes launched his first fragrance, Shawn Mendes Signature, designed for both women and men.
September 2017: Creation of Mexico Earthquake Relief Fund
In September 2017, Shawn Mendes created the Mexico Earthquake Relief Fund in conjunction with the American Red Cross and donated $100,000 towards relief efforts after witnessing the devastation of the earthquake in Mexico City.
November 2017: Three number-one songs on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart
In November 2017, Shawn Mendes became the first artist to have three number-one songs on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart before turning 20 years old.
2017: Topped Billboard's 21 Under 21 list
In 2017, Shawn Mendes topped Billboard's 21 Under 21 list after his two albums topped the Billboard 200.
March 22, 2018: Release of "In My Blood"
On March 22, 2018, Shawn Mendes released the lead single "In My Blood" from his upcoming third studio album.
April 21, 2018: Performance for Queen Elizabeth II
On April 21, 2018, Shawn Mendes performed at a televised concert honoring the 92nd birthday of Queen Elizabeth II.
May 25, 2018: Release of Shawn Mendes album
On May 25, 2018, Shawn Mendes released his self-titled studio album to positive critical reviews.
June 6, 2018: Ambassador for Emporio Armani Watch Collection
On June 6, 2018, Shawn Mendes was announced as the ambassador for Emporio Armani's entire "Fall Winter 2018-2019" watch collection.
July 2018: Promotion of EA Connected Smartwatches
In July 2018, photographs of Shawn Mendes wearing the new EA Connected smartwatches were published on social media.
September 2018: Participation in Global Citizen Festival
In September 2018, Shawn Mendes took part in the annual Global Citizen Festival held at Central Park, New York City, performing and raising awareness regarding the importance of education and children's lack of access to education around the world.
October 2018: Release of "Under Pressure" Cover
In October 2018, Shawn Mendes, along with producer Teddy Geiger, released a cover of "Under Pressure" by Queen and David Bowie, with the proceeds donated to the Mercury Phoenix Trust.
October 20, 2018: Performance at "We Can Survive" Event
On October 20, 2018, Shawn Mendes performed at The Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles for the "We Can Survive" event, which was organized to raise funds for Young Survival Coalition in support of young women diagnosed with breast cancer.
2018: CMT Crossroads appearance and Victoria's Secret Fashion Show performance
In 2018, Shawn Mendes appeared on CMT Crossroads with Zac Brown Band and performed at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in New York City.
2018: Fundraising for WE Schools Program
In 2018, Shawn Mendes worked with Omaze to raise funds through donations to support the WE Schools program, a movement aiming to support youth through educational services and mentorship.
2018: Shawn Mendes album debut
In 2018, Shawn Mendes's third album Shawn Mendes was supported by the lead single "In My Blood". The album's number-one debut in the US made Mendes the third-youngest artist to achieve three number-one albums.
2018: Inclusion in Time's 100 most influential people
In 2018, Time named Shawn Mendes one of the 100 most influential people in the world on their annual list.
2018: Billboard '21 Under 21' list topper
Shawn Mendes topped the Billboard "21 Under 21 2018" list for the second year in a row, recognized for his chart performance and three consecutive number one albums in 2018.
February 16, 2019: Brand Ambassador for Calvin Klein
On February 16, 2019, Shawn Mendes announced that he was the latest brand ambassador for Calvin Klein's #MyCalvins campaign.
May 3, 2019: Release of "If I Can't Have You"
On May 3, 2019, Shawn Mendes released the single "If I Can't Have You" and its music video. The song debuted at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100.
June 21, 2019: Release of "Señorita" with Camila Cabello
On June 21, 2019, Shawn Mendes released "Señorita" with Camila Cabello, accompanied by a music video. The song debuted at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, marking their second collaboration.
July 2019: Began dating Camila Cabello
In July 2019, Shawn Mendes began dating Cuban-American singer Camila Cabello. Their relationship sparked controversy.
July 27, 2019: Release of Deluxe Edition of Shawn Mendes
On July 27, 2019, the deluxe edition of Shawn Mendes was released, featuring the songs "If I Can't Have You" and "Señorita."
August 2019: Partnership with Tim Hortons
In August 2019, Shawn Mendes announced a partnership with Canadian-based food chain Tim Hortons, featuring in a commercial and on beverage cups.
August 2019: Launch of the Shawn Mendes Foundation
In August 2019, Shawn Mendes launched the Shawn Mendes Foundation, created to inspire and empower his fans and today's youth to bring about positive change in the world.
August 26, 2019: "Señorita" Peaks at Number One
On August 26, 2019, "Señorita" reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Mendes's first chart-topping single.
September 6, 2019: Performance at Rogers Centre
Shawn Mendes had his first performance at the Rogers Centre on September 6, 2019. A concert film titled Shawn Mendes: Live in Concert was released on Netflix on November 25, 2020, following this performance.
2019: Self-titled world tour
In 2019, Shawn Mendes embarked on his self-titled world tour, performing at music festivals across Europe, North America, and South America.
2019: Release of "If I Can't Have You" and "Señorita"
In 2019, Shawn Mendes released the hit singles "If I Can't Have You" and "Señorita", with "Señorita" peaking atop the US Billboard Hot 100.
January 8, 2020: Donation to Australian fire relief efforts
On January 8, 2020, Shawn Mendes and his Shawn Mendes Foundation announced a donation of an undisclosed amount to causes including the Australian Red Cross to help with the devastating fires in Australia.
March 2020: Donation to Toronto's SickKids Foundation
In March 2020, Shawn Mendes and The Shawn Mendes Foundation donated $175,000 to support COVID-19 relief to Toronto's SickKids Foundation.
March 2020: Participation in iHeart Media's Living Room Concert for America
In March 2020, Shawn Mendes participated in iHeart Media's Living Room Concert for America, a benefit to raise awareness and funds for the COVID-19 pandemic.
April 2020: Participation in Global Citizen Festival's Together at Home virtual concert
In April 2020, Shawn Mendes participated in Global Citizen Festival's Together at Home virtual concert to raise awareness and funds for the COVID-19 pandemic.
May 2020: Participation in Black Lives Matter protests
In May 2020, Shawn Mendes, alongside Camila Cabello, joined protests in Miami for racial justice after the murder of George Floyd, and used his Instagram to raise the voice of Black activists.
September 30, 2020: Announcement of 'Wonder' Album Release
On September 30, 2020, Shawn Mendes announced that his fourth studio album, Wonder, would be released on December 4. He also announced the release of the album's lead single, also titled "Wonder", on October 2.
November 16, 2020: Announcement of "Monster" Collaboration
On November 16, 2020, Shawn Mendes announced that the second single from Wonder was a collaboration with Justin Bieber titled "Monster."
November 20, 2020: Release of "Monster" Single and Music Video
On November 20, 2020, the single "Monster", a collaboration between Shawn Mendes and Justin Bieber, and its music video were released. The song reached number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100.
December 2020: Announcement of Wonder Grants
In December 2020, Shawn Mendes and the Shawn Mendes Foundation announced Wonder Grants, partnering with Google to award the first set of grants to young changemakers in various fields.
2020: Wonder album release
In 2020, Shawn Mendes's fourth studio album, Wonder, made him the youngest male artist ever to top the Billboard 200 with four studio albums.
January 2021: Partnership with Chipotle for Wonder Grants and Shawn Mendes Bowl
In January 2021, Chipotle announced its partnership with Shawn Mendes and his foundation to launch "Wonder Grants" and a "Shawn Mendes Bowl" on the Chipotle app and website. Chipotle donated $1 to the foundation for every Shawn Mendes Bowl sold.
April 22, 2021: Hosted NASA video conference with Expedition 65 crew
On April 22, 2021, Shawn Mendes hosted a NASA video conference with the crew of Expedition 65 on board the International Space Station. The televised event covered a Q&A with students and children about Earth Day topics.
May 2021: Donation to COVID-19 relief efforts in India
In May 2021, Shawn Mendes joined Camila Cabello and Bollywood actors to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic in India. Mendes donated $50,000 through Give India.
June 2021: Signed open letter to United States Congress urging passage of the Equality Act
In June 2021, Shawn Mendes, along with other celebrities, signed an open letter to the United States Congress, urging lawmakers to pass the Equality Act to protect marginalized communities.
August 20, 2021: Release of "Summer of Love" with Tainy
On August 20, 2021, Shawn Mendes released "Summer of Love" in collaboration with Tainy.
September 23, 2021: Announcement of Wonder: The World Tour
On September 23, 2021, Shawn Mendes announced Wonder: The World Tour, with 64 dates across North America, the United Kingdom, and Europe, beginning on March 14, 2022, in Copenhagen.
November 2021: Split from Camila Cabello
In November 2021, Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello announced their split.
November 30, 2021: Announcement of "It'll Be Okay" Release
On November 30, 2021, Shawn Mendes announced that his new single, titled "It'll Be Okay", would be released on December 1.
March 14, 2022: Start of Wonder: The World Tour
On March 14, 2022, Shawn Mendes started Wonder: The World Tour at the Royal Arena in Copenhagen. The tour was later postponed and eventually cancelled due to mental health concerns.
March 20, 2022: Premiere of "When You're Gone" at SXSW
On March 20, 2022, Shawn Mendes premiered a new song titled "When You're Gone" during his performance at SXSW 2022.
October 7, 2022: Release of Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile Movie
On October 7, 2022, Columbia Pictures released Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile in the United States, featuring Shawn Mendes as the voice of the title character.
June 9, 2023: Release of "What the Hell Are We Dying For?"
On June 9, 2023, Shawn Mendes released "What the Hell Are We Dying For?" as a charity single.
June 2023: Collaboration with David Yurman for bracelet benefiting his foundation
In June 2023, Shawn Mendes collaborated with David Yurman to design a woven hemp bracelet to benefit his foundation, with 20% of the purchase price going to the foundation.
2023: Briefly dated Sabrina Carpenter
In early 2023, Shawn Mendes briefly dated Sabrina Carpenter.
March 2024: Announcement of First Solo Live Performance
In March 2024, Shawn Mendes announced his first solo live performance since canceling Wonder: The World Tour, headlining the Rock in Rio festival on September 22. He also announced he was working on his fifth studio album.
August 8, 2024: Start of Intimate Concert Tour
On August 8, 2024, Shawn Mendes started an intimate concert tour of theatre shows throughout the places he recorded the album in Woodstock, New York.
October 2024: Comment on figuring out his sexuality
In late October 2024, Shawn Mendes commented that he was "still figuring out" his sexuality.
October 18, 2024: Original Release Date of "Shawn" Album
On July 31, Shawn Mendes revealed that his fifth album "Shawn" was originally slated for release on October 18, 2024, but later postponed the release date.
November 2024: Release of "Shawn" album
In November 2024, Shawn Mendes's fifth studio album, Shawn was released to positive reviews. It explored the folk genre and was less commercially successful than its predecessors.
May 29, 2025: Announcement of the On the Road Again Tour
On May 29, 2025, Shawn Mendes announced the On the Road Again Tour, which is set to commence on August 2, 2025, in Kosovo.
August 2, 2025: Commencement of the On the Road Again Tour
Shawn Mendes' On the Road Again Tour commenced on August 2, 2025, in Kosovo.
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