Shawn Mendes Channels Bruce Springsteen During VMAs Performance
By Taylor Fields
August 21, 2018
Shawn Mendes kicked things off at the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards with the first performance of the night, and in a really big way. The 20-year-old performed his hit single "In My Blood" off his recently-released self-titled album, and it seems that he channeled rock icon Bruce Springsteen in the process.
With his guitar in hand, and dressed in dark blue pants and a white t-shirt, baring his biceps, Shawn totally looked like a mini "Born in the U.S.A." era Bruce, and Twitter thought so too. Just look at the resemblance...
Shawn Mendes or Bruce Springsteen? #VMAs pic.twitter.com/3dI0LdqgCO
— Dan Girolamo (@Danny_Giro) August 21, 2018
Absolutely here for Shawn Mendes' Bruce Springsteen phase. #VMAs pic.twitter.com/tWgLchDDPz
— Hunter Ingram (@hunter_wesley) August 21, 2018
#shawnmendes looking like Baby Bruce Springsteen 😍 I can dig it 👌🏽#mtv2018awards https://t.co/HhVceLDOCf
— NICOLE CIRINO (@NIKKITA_06) August 21, 2018
Shawn Mendes is giving me some Bruce Springsteen Born in the U.S.A. album cover vibes with his look. #VMAs @mtv
— ★ Erin ★ (@eringieder) August 21, 2018
Shawn Mendes really playing like a Young Bruce Springsteen up there #VMAs
— Kenny Jones (@relientkenny) August 21, 2018
Shawn also did something during his VMAs performance that he's never done before. With stunning visuals behind him, Shawn had everyone singing along to "In My Blood," but then kicked things up a notch at the end when he made it rain. Indoors. Shawn literally made it rain on stage, and he performed as rain drops descended upon him in his white t-shirt.
Naturally, fans lost all chill on Twitter, and were HERE for Shawn and his rain machine, with many of them hoping that Mendes brings his rain machine on tour.
Shawny wins the Wet T-shirt contest ...@MTV @vmas #mtvVMAS2018 @ShawnMendes pic.twitter.com/wdl01jOloy
— cami marlowe (@radiogirlcami) August 21, 2018
I DIED WHEN I BEGAN TO RAIN
— annaliese (@annalie90664374) August 21, 2018
@ShawnMendes BRING THE RAIN MACHINE ON TOUR
— Jasmin (@JMendes1998) August 21, 2018
Shawn Mendes in a sleeveless white shirt and rain falling? well yes please
— Lauren Demers (@laurendemers) August 21, 2018
my new aesthetic is shawn mendes sleeveless and wet from the rain at the #VMAs
— Jordan D'Amico (@JordanDAmico) August 21, 2018
how can I get those pics made into wallpaper?
Did y'all just see Shawn Mendes wearing a white shirt while getting getting drenched in rain i......mean....10/10 performance
— Casey (@CSchankowitz) August 21, 2018
Yooooo can every awards show/every moment to life begin with @ShawnMendes playing guitar in the rain belting out a lil "In My Blood"
— Kristina (@Swifttina) August 21, 2018
SHAWN MENDES JUST SOAKING HIMSELF IN THE ‘RAIN’ BITCH MARRY ME
— frisca (@mercyonf) August 21, 2018
I never knew i needed to see Shawn Mendes in pouring rain until now wow @ShawnMendes
— Mackenzie Nasta (@kenzienasta) August 21, 2018
@ShawnMendes IS THE EPITOME OF SEX. @vmas holy shit. That voice. That hair. That white tank top. That rain. PLEASE MAKE IT STOP MY BOYFRIEND IS JEALOUS lol
— Soph (@smendesinspira1) August 21, 2018
SHAWN MENDES MADE IT RAIN IM LIVING FOR IT
— Lianna (@stxrredunivxrse) August 21, 2018
Shawn's "In My Blood" music video was nominated for several VMAs including Best Pop Video, Best Cinematography, and Best Direction.
Shawn is set to take the stage during this year's iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas next month, alongside a lineup of superstar artists.
Photo: Getty Images