Shawn Mendes has discussed his anxiety in a new interview, saying being famous from a young age hasn’t helped.
The pop star was given a record deal and management contract aged 15 after he began posting six-second covers of pop songs on Vine.
Now 20, the singer has released three studio albums, including May’s self-titled release. On the track ‘In My Blood’, he sings: “Laying on the bathroom floor, feeling nothing/I’m overwhelmed and insecure, give me something.“
Asked by The Times if his status has affected him mentally, he replied: “It’s hard to say because I haven’t experienced anything else. I was famous from 15 but being famous definitely didn’t help.”
He added of dealing with anxiety: “Sometimes it just takes stepping out of your world to get perspective. It’s hard work to keep your morale up sometimes. It’s hard being a human.”
Speaking to NME earlier this year, Mendes said it was “just the start” of conversations encouraging men to talk about their mental health. “You have to start somewhere, and start the conversation about ‘This is how I feel, take it or leave it,'” he said. “That’s life.”
Meanwhile, the Canadian star is set to return to the UK next month, when he performs at festivals in Norwich and Liverpool. He will then embark on a headline arena tour next April Remaining tickets for the dates are available here.
Shawn Mendes will play:
Norwich, Sundown Festival (September 1)
Liverpool, Fusion Festival (2)
Glasgow, SSE Hydro (April 6)
Manchester, Arena (7)
Birmingham, Barclaycard Arena (9)
Leeds, First Direct Arena (10)
Dublin, 3Arena (13, 14)
London, The O2 (16, 17)