Shawn Mendes says rumours about sexuality 'felt like an intrusion.' Here's why such speculation can be harmful

Shawn Mendes is speaking out about the speculation surrounding his sexuality.

In a video widely shared on social media, the Canadian singer, 26, addresses the audience during his For Friends and Family Only tour at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado. 

"There's this thing about my sexuality, and people have been talking about it so long," he said in between songs, reflecting on the fact that his career started when he was 15 years old. 

Experts say that when someone experiences public scrutiny over their sexuality, like Mendes has, it can impact their mental health and keep them from discovering who they are in a safe way. 

Mendes said the speculation had always "felt like an intrusion" on something personal.

He described sexuality as a "beautifully complex thing" that is "hard to just put into boxes." 

"The real truth about my life and my sexuality is that, man, I'm just figuring it out like everyone. And I don't really know sometimes and I know other times, and it feels really scary because we live in a society that has a lot to say about that.

"And I'm trying to be really brave and just allow myself to be a human and feel things. And that's all I really want to say about that for now."

Mendes followed his comments by performing The Mountain, a song in which he discusses his sexuality. 

The lyrics include: "You can say I'm too young, you can say I'm too old, you can say I like girls or boys, whatever fits your mould."

Some 2SLGBTQ+ advocates praised Mendes for his comments.

"He needs to be applauded for starting a much-needed conversation that youth need to hear, especially from a celebrity perspective," said Omid Razavi, the executive director at It Gets Better Canada, a national charity that supports 2SLGBTQ+ youth.

People have speculated about Mendes' sexuality for years. 

When he was 17 years old, the singer spoke out via his Snapchat account after scrolling through some YouTube comments suggesting that he gave off a "gay vibe."