Shawn Mendes is opening up about feeling “better” as he’s getting older. In a new interview with Interview magazine, released on Oct. 14, Shawn chatted with John Mayer about his recent break, his upcoming album Shawn, and the experience of “growing up” and feeling more at ease in his own skin.
Working on his new music, including the heartfelt track Heart of Gold, has been a journey of rediscovery. “It’s already given me more than any of my albums by so much, and I haven’t even shown anyone,” Shawn told Mayer. Heart of Gold, which he wrote about a close friend who passed away, explores the mix of grief and celebration that comes with remembering those who’ve left a lasting impact. Between this song and the new album, Shawn says he’s feeling more like himself than ever. “I don’t feel like I’m waking up every day and stepping into the role of Shawn. I feel like I’m just waking up as him.”
Talking about the role of therapy in this growth, he said, “I think within finding yourself, there’s humor. There’s not taking myself so seriously.” Reflecting on his past challenges, including his high-profile breakup with Camila Cabello, Shawn shared how he’s learning to embrace each part of the journey. “Of course. It’s funny, when you go through your first breakup, it feels like you all of a sudden have all the answers in the world,” he laughed. “But to be honest, if someone was like, ‘What do you think the number one reason for you feeling generally better these days is?’ I’d probably first answer therapy, and secondly, just taking myself less seriously.”
With Heart of Gold and the full album set to release on Nov. 15, Shawn Mendes is diving deeper into himself—and he’s ready to share it all.
