A storm is coming — at least to the MTV Video Music Awards. Shawn Mendes gave an emotional start to this year’s New York City awards show on Aug. 20 with a performance of his anthemic hit “In My Blood” that nodded to its three-time-nominated video, in which Mendes braves the elements as he sings.
Sauntering onstage in a plain white cutoff tee and blue pants, the Canadian heartthrob, who turned 20 this month, was shadowed by dark thunderclouds on the screens surrounding him. And by the end of the tear-jerking performance, where Mendes brought out a full band and encouraged the audience to chant the track’s epic background vocals in his place, the digitized storm suddenly broke, releasing sheets of real water onto the star until his set resembled a wet t-shirt contest. (That choice of white tee? Totally intentional.) .
The song’s similar music video is nominated tonight in three categories: best pop, best cinematography and best direction.
Watch Mendes get drenched mid-song above. ?