When Shawn Mendes Mentioned Sam Smith's Gender

Shawn Mendes (Instagram @shawnmendes)

JAKARTA - Shawn Mendes apologizes to Sam Smith after accidentally making a gender-related mistake. This happened when Mendes introduced Smith at a virtual concert.

Smith revealed himself to be non-binary (neither male nor female) and genderqueer in March 2019. Six months later, he confirmed that he did not want to be called by the pronouns "He / Him" (for men) or "She / Her" (for woman). The Dancing with a Stranger singer claims that she prefers to be called "They / Them".

But when Smith appeared at the iHeartRadio virtual Jingle Ball on Thursday, December 10, Mendes accidentally made several mistakes when introducing Smith.

TONIGHT !! Watch the 2020 @iHeartRadio Jingle Ball at 8 / 7c on @TheCW xx pic.twitter.com/IiZ0qfInxr

- samsmith (@samsmith) December 14, 2020

Mendes apologized to Smith on his Instagram Story on Friday, writing: "Oh @samsmith, I apologize for referring to you as 'him' for your jingle ball introduction.

“Really slipped in my mind. It won't happen again… Sending you so much love! You are also truly one of the funniest people I have ever met! "

At the event, Smith went on to perform the new song from his third album Love Goes and sing his own version of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. He did not mention Mendes' mistakes during the show.

However, Smith was quick to accept Mendes' apology on social media. The Diamonds singer shared Mendes' post on Instagram Story and wrote: "We all learn together", equipped with two heart emojis.

"Happy holidays, fully my love," he added.

Sam Smith via IG story. https://t.co/WDWtvlqrl2 pic.twitter.com/DUwove0Y3e

- Shawn Mendes Updates (@DailyMendesLife) December 11, 2020

The incident came just weeks after Smith told CBS he was completely unprepared for the many taunts he received after claiming to be non-binary.

“Gender, for me, has been nothing but traumatic and challenging throughout my life. It's very difficult to explain. I just feel like myself. I don't feel like a boy, basically, "says Smith.