I’ve always been inspired by women who are outgoing, very sure of themselves, and not afraid to be who they were, including their sex lives. Under their tutelage, I gradually shed my old self, hung out and socialized with them, and, over time, became the empowered, self-confident, and sexual woman I am today. Happy to share my insights with other women today!
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Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello: The Ultimate Love Story Timeline
Hey guys, let’s be real—Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello have been the it couple of our generation. Ever since the first collab dropped (I Know What You Did Last Summer), fans knew something was to happen between them. From their slow-burn friendship to their heartbreaking split and surprise Coachella reunion, these two have lived in a real-life rom-com.
But what’s the real tea? How did Mendes and Cabello go from besties to baes, then back to besties (with a side of “maybe we’re more than friends”)? Get ready because we’re about to spill everything you need to know about Shawnmila, complete with expert opinions, social media drama, and life lessons we can learn from their rollercoaster relationship.
Besties to Baes: The Slow-Burn Love Story
What’s all the noise about them? Before they were #CoupleGoals, Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello were just two people trying to make it big in the music world. They met in 2014 while opening for Austin Mahone’s tour—Camila Cabello was still in Fifth Harmony, and Shawn was the “Stitches” guy. They also collaborated on their first song in October of that same year. That’s when their little fire of love began.
Imagine two best friends with shared dreams—tour rehearsals, backstage laughs, and late-night songwriting. This camaraderie made their transition to lovers feel genuine, highlighting how friendship can lay the groundwork for lasting love.
At first, all they had was a relationship as best friends. But we all saw the sparks flying even back then. In an interview, Shawn explained he had a massive crush on Camila Cabello, and he kept it lowkey. He is an amazing human being, isn’t he?
Fast forward to 2019, when they dropped Señorita—a hot song that practically melted the internet. That music video? The tension? The way Shawn Mendes looked at her?
Fans started shipping the two stars hard, making everyone scream, “Get a room!” Soon after, paparazzi photos of them holding hands confirmed what we all suspected: they were officially a thing.
Instagram Official: Living Their Best Lives Online
When Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello finally made their relationship public, they didn’t just ease into it—they went all in with the PDA. Like, they were everywhere—giving us major heart eyes IRL and had a lot of people commenting on their Instagram.
It all kicked off in 2019 when the “best friends” confirmed they were an item, and from then on, it was like the whole world got a front-row seat to their love story. Everybody knew that something was to happen between them. Maybe this could be an actual relationship! Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello weren’t shy about letting us know how much romance they had between them. He would fawn over her in every interview he went for.
Quarantine Love
These two were totally a cute couple during the pandemic. While we were all bingeing Netflix, listening to new music, and learning TikTok dances, they were thriving in quarantine together in Miami. The Miami vibes were strong for this iconic duo, bringing them closer.
Shawn responded, saying the whole lockdown thing gave them a chance to bond on a deep level. His dreamy single “Summer of Love” was totally inspired by their first few months of being all cozy and in their own little love bubble. Can you imagine? Just Shawn, Camila Cabello, and the Miami sun, living their best quarantine lives.
Honestly, it’s giving fairytale, but like, pandemic edition. And the fact that they decided to be so open about their affection during this time? Ugh, we love to see it. These two turned lockdown into a love story, and we’re still not over it.
Related reading: Intense Chemistry Signs: Feel Them All
Breaking Hearts: “She’s an amazing human being”
In November 2021, Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello announced their breakup on Instagram. Their joint statement said they were “best friends” who decided to “end their romantic relationship,” but fans weren’t buying it.
Not long after the romantic crash between Mendes and Cabello, rumors of Shawn Mendes and Sabrina Carpenter surfaced after they were seen together on several occasions. In a petty move, Sabrina Carpenter did a video with Jenna Ortega for her hit song “Taste”. Some fans say that Jenna looks suspiciously like Camila Cabello. Petty.
On X, Mendes replied to a fan who asked about the love triangle between he, Sabrina and Camila.
“I’m usually pretty good at just watching all the ‘noise’ go by but lately it’s been kinda bugging me 🤷♂️ feeling human i guess.”
Shawn Mendes on a possible love triangle with Sabrina and Camila
Mendes also talked openly with Jay Shetty about how he has handled his split with his ex Camila Cabello in the limelight during his appearance on the On Purpose podcast on Monday, September 30 of this year. Mendes explained, “Camila and I have done the best job at preserving our private little fire of love for each other,” the “Why Why Why” singer, 26, said. Private little fire? Really, Shawn Mendes?
Related reading: 14 Signs You Should Break Up and 12 Signs You Should Stay With Your Partner
Coachella Comeback: Are They Back Together?
Moving forward, April 2023 gave us the plot twist we didn’t see coming: Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello were spotted making out at Coachella. Naturally, the internet lost its collective mind and made all the noise in the world. Were they back together? Was it just a festival fling? What was he doing with his ex Camila Cabello? Are they just trying to rile us up in a weird way?
Neither confirmed anything, but sources close to the pair said they were “seeing where things go.” Honestly, classic Shawnmila—keeping us guessing since 2019. We keep wondering what the real truth about them is.
“I have nerves just even speaking about it, just what people would say. But honestly, if something was to happen in my family and if something was to happen to me, she’d probably be the first person I call to this day. Our relationship is teaching me what love means, in a big way.”
Shawn Mendes in an interview with the NY Times
For her to probably be the first person he’d call “if something was to happen in my family and if something was to happen to me” is already lovers energy.
Related Reading: How to be Romantic and Make the Right Moves
Lessons from Shawn and Camila’s Love Story
Beyond the drama, music and the TikTok-worthy PDA, there’s a lot we can actually learn from Shawnmila. (Yes, we’re calling them that.)
Here are four life lessons from their relationship—and yes, they’re actually useful.
Friendship Is the Best Foundation
Mendes and Camila didn’t start as Hollywood’s cutest couple—they were besties first. They met in 2014 during Austin Mahone’s tour, back when Camila was rocking her Fifth Harmony vibes, and Shawn was “that guy who sang Stitches.” Fast-forward a few years, and their friendship leveled up into one of the most talked-about celeb romances ever.
“She is one of those people who is just very easy to connect with and still, to this day, is one of my greatest friends. You find that instant connection with people, and she’s one of them.”
Shawn Mendes to People Magazine
Starting as friends gave them the ultimate relationship cheat code: they already knew how to make each other laugh, handle their quirks, and vibe with each other’s energy. It’s like skipping the tutorial and going straight to the boss level.
Related Reading: How to Get Out of The Friend Zone: A Jerk-Free Guide
Vulnerability Is Okay
Shawn Mendes has always been vocal about his feelings for Camila Cabello. Whether he’s talking about how she inspired his music or writing her gushy Instagram captions, the singer proves that letting your guard down can actually bring you closer to someone. When Mendes performed at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado, he had a vulnerable moment when he openly talked about his sexual orientation.
Camila Cabello is no stranger to being vulnerable, either. Her song “First Man” was a literal tearjerker that gave us all a peek into her relationships, and she’s been open about how being with Shawn helped her grow emotionally. Together, they made vulnerability look like the ultimate relationship flex. Shawn’s new album, “Shawn”, demonstrates his commitment to vulnerability more than any of his previous work. And that says a lot!
Being vulnerable isn’t about oversharing—it’s about being real. Whether it’s confessing your feelings, talking through insecurities, or ugly crying over a rom-com, letting someone see the raw, unfiltered you is always a vibe. It just proves that you are a good person in a real, honest relationship.
Space Can Be Healthy
Okay, let’s talk about the breakup. When Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello called it quits in October 2021, fans were shook. Their joint Insta statement was all “we’re still best friends” (classic), but behind the scenes, it was clear they needed time to focus on themselves. And honestly? That’s a move we can all respect. Who knows, maybe Shawn was serious when he said, “…she’s the first person I call…”
“Hey guys, we’ve decided to end our romantic relationship but our love for one another as humans is stronger than ever.”
Joint statement from Camila and Shawn posted on Instagram stories
Breakups don’t always have to be forever—sometimes, they’re about hitting pause and growing as individuals. Case in point: Shawn Mendes spent 2022 reflecting on his mental health and rediscovering himself outside of a relationship, while Camila Cabello threw herself into her music and self-care journey. Fast-forward to Coachella in April 2023, and boom—they’re spotted making out in the middle of a crowd. Coincidence? We think not.
Whether it’s a breakup or just a little breathing room, space isn’t the enemy. Sometimes, you have to focus on your own glow-up before you can shine together.
Related reading: On the Rebound—Where Your Relationship Goes?
Protect Your Privacy (Sometimes)
In today’s oversharing culture, it’s easy to feel like you have to post every single relationship moment. Most of what happens on social media is just noise anyway. But Shawnmila showed us that some things are better left private. It’s all about finding that sweet spot between “sharing the love” and “keeping the love safe.”
Recently, the “Stitches” singer tweeted a cryptic message where he said:
“It’s pretty intimidating to come online and be honest and vulnerable considering how quickly our words can be twisted and used against us, but tbh I really just care about having a real relationship with you guys where I got you, and you got me and all the rest is just noise”
Shawn Mendes, in a tweet
You don’t have to be famous to set boundaries. Whether it’s limiting what you post on the gram or just ignoring nosy comments from your BFFs, protecting your privacy can keep your relationship drama-free.
Related reading: Boundaries in Relationships—Keeping Them Healthy
Final Thoughts
The truth is, no relationship is perfect. Even Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello—aka one of the most iconic celeb couples of all time—had their fair share of ups and downs. From their romance to their tear-jerking breakup and surprise reunion to her being someone he can call to this day, their love story has been anything but smooth. It’s like taking a little spin in Grandpa’s old pickup.
But here’s the thing: relationships don’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. Mendes and Camila’s journey reminds us that love is about showing up, even when it’s messy. If Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello’s love story has taught us anything, it’s that relationships are a journey. And just because something was to happen doesn’t mean it will happen. You can be a good person while still making bad mistakes. Love means accepting yourself and your partner while you’re still in that process.
Here’s to Shawnmila: the couple that keeps us dreaming, crying, and endlessly scrolling for updates. Whether they’re living their best lives together or growing apart, their love story is proof that messy, beautiful, real love will always be worth it. And please give us a new album!
Cherie Hamilton
