Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes's Relationship Timeline: A Look Back

It seemed like a real-life love song: Two singers fell in love, and people assumed it was for publicity, and they proved everyone wrong. That almost sums up Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes's relationship, but it would, of course, leave out the duets, the PDA, the steamy MTV VMAs performance, and the Miley Cyrus three-way (oh, wait, that sadly never transpired).

Before they became lovers, the music duo were friends. 

"I've known Shawn for such a long time," the former Fifth Harmony member told Variety in 2019. "And it's so much fun getting to work and do things with somebody who means a lot to you." 

On how her friendship with Mendes evolved into something more, the "Havana" singer-songwriter recounted to Rolling Stone, "Our paths just didn't cross in that way romantically until we started hanging out again and writing. For me, it just brought it back." 

After more than two years of dating, the couple called it quits in 2021, though they have remained friends since their breakup. 

Here's a look back at Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes's relationship.

July 2014: Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes first meet

Mendes and Cabello's former group, Fifth Harmony, opened for Austin Mahone nearly a decade ago. According to Cabello, Mendes wasn't the warmest tour companion, but she managed to make a good impression.

"I remember thinking we met on the Austin Mahone tour, and I remember I wanted to hang out with you, but you were always on the tour bus, just learning guitar," Cabello told V Magazine in 2019.

Mendes offered his take on that situation, saying, "Yeah, that was me. I didn't talk to anybody. You were the only person that talked to me. Like, you were the only one of everybody on that tour who would say words to me."

"I thought you were out of your mind," he added. "I'd be in my bus where no one could see me. I'd be looking through the window, and I'd see you, like, flying around on a scooter and jumping and doing cartwheels. I'd be like, 'She's insane. Close the window and go to sleep.'"ping and doing cartwheels. I'd be like, 'She's insane. Close the window and go to sleep.'"

November 18, 2015: Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes release their first duet

The two released their first duet, "I Know What You Did Last Summer," which they co-wrote while joining Taylor Swift on her 1989 tour. 

"We were just backstage hanging out," Mendes told Rolling Stone. "I pulled out my guitar, and we were just messing around, not really thinking about writing a song."

May 19, 2017: Shawn Mendes tweets about Camila Cabello

Though the pair still weren't official, Mendes praised Cabello for her song "Crying in the Club."

"Speechless .. goosebumps all over. You’re incredible," he shared on Twitter.

April 5, 2018: Camila Cabello tweets about Shawn Mendes

It was Cabello's turn to spread the love online. 

"I shouldn't be crying at this time in the morning but I AM," she tweeted as she shared Mendes's interview on Beats 1. "I love you SO much @ShawnMendes."

During the interview, Mendes said Cabello was his "favorite person in the whole world."

The "Bam Bam" singer also attended one of Mendes's shows.

June 21, 2019: Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes release their second duet, "Señorita"

"Canadian fury + Latin sass" combined to release "Señorita" in the summer of 2019. The song includes lyrics like, "You say we're just friends / But friends don't know the way you taste / 'Cause you know it's been a long time coming / Don't you let me fall."

After dating for over a year, Cabello officially broke up with British life coach Matthew Hussey, reported E! News.

"To my fans, if you really love me, please do not send people I love and care about hateful things," she wrote on her Instagram Story (via E!). "You doing that really hurts me, and it's so unnecessary and heavy and damaging to add more pain to pain. There's a real person behind your tweets. You spamming them with hateful, insensitive things is really not funny, is causing all of us pain, and doesn't all reflect the values I talk about."

July 2019: Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes are first spotted together

Remember, at this point, the two hadn't yet made anything official in terms of their relationship status. However, they were spotted kissing in San Francisco over Fourth of July weekend. "They looked very into each other. Shawn and Camila were splitting pancakes," a source told Us Weekly.

Cabello's family was at Mendes's Miami concert.

"It already feels to them like they've been together for a lot longer than they have," a source told E! News. "They've known each other and been a part of each other's lives for a while, so it's all very natural and moving quickly."

Another source told Entertainment Tonight, "Shawn and Camila originally were just enjoying spending time together and having a summer fling. Camila had just got out of a relationship, and Shawn was in the middle of a massive tour. But Shawn and Camila have really fallen for one another."

August 9, 2019: Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes are Instagram official

To commemorate Mendes's 21st birthday, Cabello shared an "I love you" post to the "Stitches" singer on Instagram.

In an interview with Glamour, Cabello said, "Falling in love is like an infinite amount of levels and layers and angles. I fell in love and just opened up. Everything was written in present moment."

Later that month, the duo performed "Señorita" at the MTV VMAs. It was ... something. While there was plenty of PDA when they were in the audience, Cabello and Mendes walked the red carpet separately.

September 1, 2019: Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes are officially a couple

The relationship is officially official. During his own interview with Glamour, Mendes admitted being in love. 

"Honestly, I wanna say I wanna talk to you guys about this stuff, but it's not just me in the relationship," he said. "There's another person involved, and I can't say things that I feel. It's not just me deciding, you know?"

Cabello backed him up during an interview with Elle. 

"People can say whatever they want to say. They can speculate, but at the same time, we are going to live our own lives, enjoy it, and fall for each other like nobody is watching," she said. "That is how I want to live. I never want to open the door for people to feel like they are involved. Like I said, I want it to be mine and [his]. That's why I'm so tight-lipped about it: Because I want to protect it."

To prove it, this happened:

And for anyone who thought the whole thing was a publicity stunt, Mendes tweeted that it wasn't.

October 4, 2019: Camila Cabello opens up about her relationship with Shawn Mendes

In an interview, Cabello explained why she and Mendes were hesitant to go big with their love story: They didn't want to lose their friendship.

"It's almost more scary because you have more to lose," she told The Sun. "When you first start dating a person, and you know nothing about them, there's less at risk there. I think when you fall in love with somebody you've known for a long time, there's more at stake. But it also feels more special because it feels like the love story you see in the movies of people who have known each other for a long time but been too stupid to realize it or say it, and then it happens — and that's beautiful too."

If anyone was wondering exactly when the two made it official, Mendes cleared it up during a concert in Australia. According to People, Mendes confirmed the timeline, saying, "We have been dating since July Fourth officially."

November 24, 2019: Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes perform their duet at the American Music Awards

Cabello and Mendes had a big night at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles. After walking the red carpet together, the pair gave a steamy performance of their hit "Señorita," for which they won "Collaboration of the Year." 

During an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Cabello admitted that she had a crush on Mendes for years before they started dating. 

"I for sure had a crush ... We were stupid. I think we both had a crush but were being babies about it," she said. "But we're grown now! But I definitely, definitely, definitely had a crush."

She offered another insight into their friends-turned-lover situation, telling Jimmy Fallon that it was strange at first. 

"It's so funny because when we first started going out, it's so weird ... [dating] somebody who was your friend for a really long time," Cabello said. "The people around you already know them because you've known them for a long time, so it's just like, 'Now we kiss and hold hands.'"

October 2020: Rumors circulate Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes split

Despite rumors of a breakup, Mendes and Cabello still supported each other via social media. Following the release of Mendes's album Wonder, Cabello posted a heartfelt message, referring to him as her "love." 

"The world could use some magic, beauty, and Wonder always, but especially right now. @shawnmendes what a gorgeous gift to the world," she wrote. "He's crafted this album with every last bit of his soul, his spirit, and his essence with the purest of intentions. My love, I'm so proud of the person you are, and I'm so excited for people to see and hear your heart."

Later that month, in the trailer for his Netflix documentary, In Wonder, Mendes admitted that all of his songs — both new and old — are about Cabello. 

"My song comes on the radio or something, and I'm like, 'Everything's about you. They're all, they have always been about you.' She goes, 'What do you mean?' Like, they're all about you. Like every song I've ever wrote," he said.

November 3, 2020: Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes get a puppy

Mendes and Cabello got a puppy together. Sharing a video of Mendes playing with the dog, Cabello wrote, "During uncertain times like this we need a reminder that sweet miracle things like puppies exist in the world too, meet the new member of the pack: Tarzan!"

Mendes also shared some photos and a video of the adorable pup.

September 13, 2021: Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes attend the Met Gala

The musician couple slayed the red carpet on "fashion's biggest night out." Cabello stunned in a purple sequined Michael Kors gown, while Mendes opted for a leather jacket by the designer sans shirt.

November 17, 2021: Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes break up

After dating for over two years, the Cinderella star and her "Prince Charming" announced their breakup via their respective Instagram Stories, reported Us Weekly. "Hey guys, we've decided to end our romantic relationship but our love for one another as humans is stronger than ever."

They continued, "We started our relationship as best friends and will continue to be best friends. We so appreciate your support from the beginning and moving forward. Camila and Shawn."