Shawn Mendes says he was in the running to play gay teen Simon Spier in the romantic comedy Love, Simon.
“I would’ve loved to. Unfortunately, timing didn’t work out. That would’ve been amazing,” the 19-year-old Canadian said Thursday morning on the Elvis Duran radio show.
In the hours leading up to the release of his new single “In My Blood,” Mendes went to see Love, Simon. Calling it an “incredible, incredible movie,” the singer said Nick Robinson “just did an incredible job. It was really amazing.”
Mendes also had kind words to share about figure skater Adam Rippon, whom he met only days after the openly-gay Olympian publicly admitted having a crush.
“He’s a sweetheart,” Mendes said. “He was really sweet. It was backstage at a party and I found him and I went up and grabbed him and was like, ‘Hey man, so nice to meet you!’ and he freaked out and we took a selfie.”
MORE: Listen to Shawn Mendes' New Song "In My Blood"
Mendes said “In My Blood” is the most personal song he’s ever written. He sings: "Just take her home and you'll feel better / Keep telling me that it gets better / Does it ever?"
He explained: “I’ve never released a song that context-wise is so vulnerable and close to me."
Mendes co-wrote the song with Teddy Geiger (who announced last year that he is transitioning), Scott Harris and Canada’s Geoff Warburton.
Watch the full interview below: