Niall Horan Surprises Fans by Bringing Out Shawn Mendes for Duet at London Concert
Niall Horan and Shawn Mendes Chris Polk/AMA2017/Getty Images for dcp
Niall Horan surprised his fans during his recent concert in London by bringing out Shawn Mendes as a special guest.
During the show on Friday, March 1 at the OVO Arena in Wembley, 25-year-old Mendes joined Horan on stage for a duet. Together, they performed an acoustic rendition of Mendes' popular song "Treat You Better."
Both singers sat on stools, strumming their guitars and singing the lyrics while the crowd enthusiastically held up their phones' flashlights to create a magical atmosphere.
After the duo finished their performance, Mendes left the stage, with Horan, 30, proudly declaring, "That's my boy!" as captured in footage shared via X.
Fans on social media were ecstatic when clips of the duet started circulating.
One user expressed, "Shawn Mendes is back on stage and singing 'Treat You Better' with Niall Horan - I'm crying," while another shared, "I can't stop screaming and crying while watching all these videos of Shawn performing with Niall."
Mendes is back on stage after almost a year. His last performance was in June 2023 during Ed Sheeran's Multiplication tour in Toronto.
It has been a while since Mendes went on tour himself. The last time was in 2022 for his Wonder: The World Tour. He started the tour in June 2022 but decided to take a three-week break to prioritize his mental health after a few shows.
"After being away from touring for a few years, I thought I was ready to jump back in. Unfortunately, the demands of the road and the pressure became too much for me to handle, and I have reached a breaking point," he shared on his Instagram Story in July 2023. "After consulting with my team and healthcare professionals, I have realized the importance of taking time to focus on healing and prioritizing my mental health. I will keep you updated as soon as I have more information. Thank you for your support and love."
Niall Horan Surprises Fans by Bringing Out Shawn Mendes for Duet at London Concert
Niall Horan Rich Fury/Getty Images for TikTok
Nearly three weeks later, Mendes ultimately ended up canceling the entire tour.
The musician took to Instagram to share that he was initially excited to return to live performances after a long hiatus caused by the pandemic. However, he soon realized that touring was more challenging than expected after such a long break. After consulting with his team and health professionals, he decided to prioritize his personal well-being and take the time to reground himself before returning stronger.
After dedicating a year to focusing on his health, Mendes opened up about experiencing "extreme anxiety" while working on his music. He found that trusting his instincts helped alleviate his fears during the creative process.
"It was tough in the beginning to sing without striving for perfection," he mentioned in a video from January. "But as time went on, I found myself embracing the balance between hitting the 'right' and 'wrong' notes. I discovered that the moments of pure joy and happiness from hitting the 'right' notes were actually enhanced by the 'wrong' ones. Learning to listen is what enables me to sing in tune."
Editor's P/S:
Niall Horan's recent concert in London was a memorable event, marked by the surprise appearance of Shawn Mendes. The performance of "Treat You Better" was a testament to the enduring power of music to bring people together. The audience's enthusiastic response and the camaraderie between the two artists created a magical atmosphere.
Mendes' return to the stage after a year-long hiatus was a poignant moment. His openness about his struggles with mental health and his decision to prioritize his well-being is a reminder that even the most successful individuals face challenges. His courage in speaking out and seeking help is an inspiration to others who may be facing similar struggles.