Shawn Mendes apologized Friday for using the wrong pronoun when introducing Sam Smith during the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball on Thursday night.
Smith adopted the gender-neutral pronouns “they” and “them” in 2019.
“Oh @samsmith I’m so sorry for referring (sic) to you as a ‘he’ for your jingle ball introduction,” Mendes wrote in an Instagram Story message. “It absolutely slipped my mind. Wont (sic) happen again … Sending you so much love ! Also you absolutely are one of the funniest people I’ve ever met !”
Smith reposted Mendes’ message and replied: “We’re all learning together. Happy holidays, all my love xx.”
When Smith went public with their decision last year, they said: “I understand there will be many mistakes and mis gendering but all I ask is you please please try. I hope you can see me like I see myself now.”
Mendes' former songwriting partner Teddy Geiger came out as transgender in 2017. Months later, Mendes said watching his close friend transition “was incredible to watch.” On the BBMAs red carpet, he shared: “There was a moment when, I remember, I referred to Teddy as ‘she’ without thinking – and it takes time to be able to learn that, obviously – and the way she looked at me was [with] this intense amount of joy.
“And I swear if everybody in the world experienced one of their best friends, you know, experiencing that, there would be no questions … Let somebody be and feel and live how they want to live.”