Shawn Mendes’ Performance Of Youth Tonight At Billboard Music Awards Will Be A Tribute To Students Affected By Gun Violence
May 20, 2018We already knew Shawn Mendes had been planning to perform his song Youth at the Billboard Music Awards tonight — apparently alongside Khalid, who is on the original track (and pictured above, left, alongside Mendes) — but now we're learning more about the performance itself.
According to TMZ, Mendes' performance will serve as a tribute to all those affected by gun violence, and specifically those who have been affected by several recent high-profile school shootings over the past several months.
Related: Taylor Swift Surprised Concert-Goers With Shawn Mendes On Friday!
As part of his performance, Mendes will be joined on stage by the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School show choir to coincide with the whole event.
Mendes and Khalid apparently really want to shed light on the recent tragedies and further send a message about not allowing pain and tragedy to steal a child's youth, even despite so much gun violence going around the country right now.
Production sources claim that rehearsals for this performance earlier on Saturday "left those watching in tears," which is an indication that there are going to be some heavy hearts tonight.
If only they could one day be followed up by our politicians taking ACTUAL, TANGIBLE ACTION to combat and curb the ongoing threat of gun violence in this country.
Related: Shawn Talks About 'Really Good Friend' Hailey Baldwin!
We can dream, right?
Either way, we'll see y'all in a few hours for the Billboard Music Awards… they begin at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.
[Image via Apega/WENN.]