Biography
Who is Shawn Mendes?
Early life and background
Shawn Mendes Peter Raul Mendes was born on August 8, 1998, in Toronto, Canada, to parents Karen and Manuel Mendes. He was raised in Pickering, Ontario, alongside his younger sister Aaliyah. His mother worked as a real estate agent while his father operated a business selling bar and restaurant supplies in Toronto. Growing up in a religious household, Shawn played youth soccer with Pickering FC and later attended Pine Ridge Secondary School. During his high school years, he participated in ice hockey, soccer, and the school glee club, and he even took acting lessons where he played Prince Charming.
Rise to music stardom
Artist manager Andrew Gertler discovered Shawn online in late 2013, leading to a record deal with Island Records in May 2014. Before signing his major label contract, Shawn toured as part of the Magcon Tour and served as an opening act on a nationwide trek with Austin Mahone. He released his debut single titled Life of the Party in June 2014, making history as the youngest artist to debut in the top 25 of the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. His self-titled debut extended play followed shortly after, peaking at number five on the Billboard 200.
Chart-topping albums and world tours
Building on his early momentum, Shawn released his second studio album, Illuminate, in September 2016. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and produced successful singles such as Treat You Better, Mercy, and There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back. To support the release, he started on the Illuminate World Tour, performing to sold-out arenas across the globe, including the Staples Center in Los Angeles and The O2 Arena in London. His musical success continued when he became the first artist under the age of 20 to secure three number-one songs on the Billboard Adult Pop Songs chart.
Awards and recognition
Throughout his career, Shawn has earned numerous industry accolades and global recognition. His honors include multiple Juno Awards, MTV Europe Music Awards, SOCAN awards, and American Music Awards, alongside Grammy Award nominations. In 2018, Time magazine recognized his cultural impact by naming him one of the 100 most influential people in the world. He has also been featured on prestigious lists such as Forbes's 30 Under 30 and Billboard's 21 Under 21, cementing his status as a major figure in contemporary pop music.
Birthday and age
Shawn Mendes was born on August 8, 1998, which makes Shawn 28 years old today. That birthday falls under the Leo sign. Shawn shares the date with 29 other famous people.
Explore more
