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\"It was so, so frustrating for me because there were some people in my life that I was very, very close to who were gay and in the closet,\" the three-time Grammy nominee explained. \"I felt this real anger for those people.\"

\"I think a lot of guys go through that and, even worse than that, there are so many guys who are gay and in the closet and must be hearing s--- like that and being like, 'I'm terrified to come out,'\" the \"Stitches\" singer said.

Moreover, Mendes feared that he'd accidentally say something offensive or dismissive when responding to rumors about his sexuality.

\"You don't really know how to respond to the situation,\" he confessed, adding that he eventually realized he could freely be himself and never entertain the rumors.

Mendes also said men need to give themselves permission to be vulnerable and not worry how others will interpret their emotions.

\"Guys need to just be vulnerable. We need to cry. Stop thinking this is being brave and strong and start thinking is the opposite, actually,\" he stressed. \"We're holding in these emotions and not crying and being a-------. Nothing about that is nice.\"

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