Shawn Mendes apologises over racist comments

Senorita hitmaker made insensitive comments over the years

Senorita singer Shawn Mendes has made a public apology for passing "racially insensitive comments" in the past.

"I posted some racially insensitive comments on social media when I was younger, and I am so sorry. I apologise wholeheartedly for what was said and understand how offensive those posts were. There is no place for comments like that, and those words do not represent who I am. I stand for complete inclusivity, equality and love," Mendes posted on Instagram Story.

PHOTO: REUTERS

The Mercy hitmaker's apology comes after fans were unimpressed with how he addressed the issue of past posts when asked about them during a Q&A session, reported E! Online.

A tweet reportedly posted on Mendes' Twitter account in 2015 was soon deleted after accusations of racism.

In 2012, a comment using the N-word was reportedly posted on Mendes' Instagram account and deleted as well.

Another tweet directed at a fan that referenced skin color was reportedly posted on his Twitter account in 2013, and then also deleted following criticism.

PHOTO: SHAWN MENDES/INSTAGRAM

In the Q&A session, a fan asked him why he had never acknowledged the posts in question.

To which, Mendes replied, "I just think that a lot of things just need to be moved on from, but I also think that the things that were saw, like I had friends when I was 14 who would like take my phone and like post things of them, because they thought it was funny that I had like 2,000 followers and it was a big thing, and they'd post photos of themselves."

He added, "And at the time, I was just like not thinking about it. I had no idea I was going to have 50 million followers, which doesn't make it any better."

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