Shawn Mendes Describes Break From World Tour As 'Eye-Opening And Beautiful'

Shawn Mendes has opened up about backing out of his Wonder: The World Tour to focus on his mental health issues.

While his millions of fans made no fuss about him canceling the tour, citing that he needed "time off to heal and take care" of his mental health, they were understandably worried when he debuted a new haircut last month.

The three-time Grammy nominee was seen in Los Angeles sporting a fresh buzz cut, an unfamiliar move from his signature wavy locks. He has now revealed why he chose that hair, amongst other personal issues, just a month after he unveiled it.

Even though he took a months-long hiatus from everything music-related, Mendes did not entirely back away from the entertainment scene, appearing in the 2022 comedy musical, "Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile." The chart-topper not only pleased fans with his acting skills, but he has now provided them an insight into what he was dealing with that prompted his break.

He began his candid conversation by noting that the "tricky" but necessary decision to cancel his tour was caused by the need to undergo therapy. In the words of the "It'll Be Okay" hitmaker:

"The process was very difficult. A lot of doing therapy, a lot of trying to understand how I was feeling and what was making me feel that way. And then doing the work to help myself and heal. And also leaning on people in my life to help a little bit."

The 24-year-old admitted that although it has been "a lot of work" to sort through his emotions, he believed the process was bringing him results. Mendes told Wall Street Journal that the "last year and a half" has been his life's "most eye-opening and growing and beautiful and just healing process."

Despite that, he recognized that he could not have come this far without the help of the people who have been "so accepting and loving and kind and understanding." Having such people in his corner made him realize how progressive the world had become, with it "starting to get to a place where mental health is really becoming a priority."

As for his buzz cut, the “Fallin’ All in You” singer explained his belief that people needed to know what they looked like with a shaved head, claiming that he also felt "this urge" to "just shake myself up a little bit."

Fans would recall that Mendes initially postponed his tour last July before canceling the remaining dates a few weeks later. He had begun performing in June and was set to show off his stage skills at 40 other shows until he learned he needed a break. In the statement the Canadian singer-songwriter released at the time, he partly told fans:  

"It has become more clear that I need to take the time I've never taken personally, to ground myself and come back stronger. I unfortunately have to cancel the rest of the tour dates in North America, and the UK/Europe."

The folk-pop singer shared that he needed a much longer recovery time and was opting to make his health his "first priority." Per The Blast, Mendes added his anticipation to see his fans "on tour in the future," highlighting that it broke his heart to even break such news to them. 

"I will be back as soon as I've taken the right time to heal. I love you all and thank you all so much for supporting me and sticking by me on this journey," the 18-time Society of Composers Award winner.

The Blast shared an insight into Mendes' love life after his alleged girlfriend, Dr. Jocelyne Miranda, was seen walking into his house with a black tote bag that many assumed contained overnight products and clothes. The 51-year-old was escorted by the Brit Award nominee, who donned a black tank top and gray cargo pants.

Meanwhile, Miranda opted for an oversized pink sweatshirt, leggings, and white sneakers. The alleged couple were first romantically linked last July after they were captured on a lunch date together.

Fans have since assumed that they built a relationship after working together on Mendes' 2018-2019 tour, with the lovely doctor lending the "Monster" singer a helping hand during the American Music Awards (AMAs), the MTV Video Music Awards, and "Saturday Night Live."

Miranda has a medical background in biomechanics, biodynamics, and soft tissue and would be Mendes' first girlfriend since Camila Cabello.