Presenting the Class of 2016: 600 of the brightest young entrepreneurs, breakout talents and change agents in 20 different sectors. –– By Caroline Howard with Emily Inverso
FEATURING: SHAWN MENDES
“The Canadian crooner has followed the path of countrymen Justin Bieber and Drake, parlaying a rabid online fan base into a major-label record deal—and a spot on our list. Mendes’ break came courtesy of Vine, where he gained millions of followers singing six-second covers of pop songs. Andrew Gertler, who founded the management company AG Artists and also appears on this year’s Under 30 list, recognized his talent, became his manager and got him a deal with Island Records. This year Mendes released his first studio album, Handwritten, and it went to No. 1 on the charts in the U.S., Canada and Norway thanks in part to the hit single “Stitches.” He spent the summer opening for Taylor Swift in preparation of a headlining tour of his own. When did he realize he could have a career as a musician? “Maybe yesterday,” he says. “Seriously, I’m 17… the way I keep myself sane is by thinking of it as fun.” — Forbes
Not only did Shawn start the year with a mention from Forbes, but together with Camila Cabello he performed “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” at the 2016 People’s Choice Awards.
Amazing! @ShawnMendes and @camilacabello97 put on an amazing performance. #PCAs https://t.co/MDoGl9Vtjg
— People’s Choice (@peopleschoice) January 7, 2016
The same night, Shawn won People’s Choice award for Favourite Breakout Artist.
Congratulations, Shawn Mendes — we have a feeling 2016 is going to be a good one for you!