Shawn Mendes admits need to 'prove' he's not gay due to ongoing rumours

'I’d like to say I don’t care about it, but that’s not true,' the Canadian singer said in a brand new interview

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Canadian singer Shawn Mendes has revealed that ongoing rumours about his sexuality have made him feel obligated to prove he’s not gay.

Speaking in a brand new interview with Rolling Stone, the singer used the opportunity to address something he says has followed him around since he hit the spotlight: “This massive, massive thing for the last five years about me being gay.“

Mendes, 20, stated that the ongoing scrutiny has led to insecurities over his voice and gestures when being captured on camera, forcing him to watch interviews back in an attempt to identify traits which make others think he’s gay.

“I’d like to say I don’t care about it, but that’s not true,” Mendes said, adding: “In the back of my heart, I feel like I need to go be seen with someone − like a girl − in public, to prove to people that I’m not gay.”

He describes having these feelings as a residual consequence that he “hates”.

“Even though in my heart I know that it’s not a bad thing. There’s still a piece of me that thinks that. And I hate that side of me.”

Mendes isolated one moment he claims “fed the fire that [he’s] terrified of:” wearing glitter on his face in an Instagram story with Taylor Swift.

Addressing the sources of the ongoing rumours, Mendes continued: ‘You f***ing guys are so lucky I’m not actually gay and terrified of coming out,’“ he said. ”That’s something that kills people. That’s how sensitive it is. Do you like the songs? Do you like me? Who cares if I’m gay?

“Maybe I am a little more feminine − but that’s the way it is. That’s why I am me.”

In the same interview, Mendes revealed he dated model Hailey Baldwin before she married Justin Bieber.