The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) announced today that GRAMMY® nominated Canadian singer-songwriter and 11-time JUNO Award winner, Shawn Mendes, will be celebrated for his impact on music globally with the JUNO International Achievement Award. Mendes will make a special appearance to receive the distinguished decoration during next month’s show. The first in-person iteration of the awards since 2019, the event will be held at Budweiser Stage in Toronto, on Sunday, May 15 and broadcast and streamed live across Canada at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBC TV, CBC Gem, CBC Radio One, CBC Music, CBC Listen, and globally at CBCMusic.ca/junos and CBC Music’s Facebook, YouTube and Twitter pages.
The JUNO International Achievement Award recognizes Canadian artists who have attained exemplary success on the world stage. The award looks to honour Canadian talent who have not only topped charts, but who have raised the profile of Canadian music around the world. With 26 total JUNO Award nominations, including four in 2022 (TikTok JUNO Fan Choice, Album of the Year Presented by Music Canada, Artist of the Year Presented by SiriusXM Canada and Pop Album of the Year), multiple GRAMMY® nominations and countless accolades across the industry and beyond, Mendes is receiving one of the highest distinctions presented by CARAS. As one of its youngest recipients, Mendes joins an incredible list of honourees including Arcade Fire, Bryan Adams, Celine Dion, Drake, Sarah McLachlan and Shania Twain. Throughout the 51-year history of The JUNO Awards, the International Achievement Award has only been given out eight times, most recently in 2018.
“Accepting this award will be a surreal moment,” said Mendes. “To be recognized for my work not only in Canada, but around the world, is a tremendous honour and I am humbled to join an outstanding group of artists who have helped put Canadian music on the map.”
“Shawn’s dedication and passion for his craft is truly inspiring,” said Allan Reid, President & CEO, CARAS/The JUNO Awards. “From his work as a singer-songwriter to the creation of The Shawn Mendes Foundation, he has demonstrated an incredible commitment to music and cultivating the next generation of creatives. We are grateful as Canadians to claim Shawn as our own and can’t wait to commemorate all of his achievements in-person at this year’s JUNO Awards.”
For almost a decade, Mendes has been capturing the hearts of fans across Canada, beginning with his 2013 hit “Stitches,” which went seven times platinum. In 2017, he went on to release his three-time platinum hit “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back”, securing his second #1 single. Since then, his career has continued to thrive far beyond Canadian borders, with his fourth studio album, Wonder, which was released in 2020 to rave reviews. Debuting at #1 in multiple global markets, including the Billboard 200 Chart, Wonder marks Mendes’ fourth consecutive #1 album. On top of that, he has released countless chart-topping hits and four #1 albums, achieved 62 billion global streams and 10 billion video views, and embarked on several world tours and Arena Shows including a 2019 hometown performance at Rogers Centre that sold-out in minutes. In 2019, he founded The Shawn Mendes Foundation, which provides grants and resources to amplify the voices, messages, and platforms of young leaders driving positive change.
Mendes will begin his global tour later this year with “Wonder: The World Tour”, kicking off in June in Portland (info and tour dates at http://www.wonderthetour.com).
