5 Reasons Why Fans Still Think Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Short N’ Sweet’ Album Is About Shawn Mendes (Latest 2025 Update)

The whirlwind romance rumors between pop stars Shawn Mendes and Sabrina Carpenter may have been short-lived and officially denied, but the story is far from over. As of December 2025, the narrative has been dramatically reignited by music, with fans pointing to explosive lyrics on Sabrina Carpenter’s 2024 album, *Short n’ Sweet*, as clear evidence that the Canadian singer was the subject of her most revealing tracks. This deep dive explores the full timeline of their alleged "situationship" and breaks down the lyrical clues that continue to fuel the celebrity love triangle speculation, even as both artists move on with their careers and new rumored partners.

The core of the curiosity stems from a series of low-key outings in early 2023, followed by a sudden, public denial from Mendes and a brief, highly-photographed reunion with his ex, Camila Cabello. This sequence of events set the stage for one of Gen Z’s most talked-about rumored flings, which has now been immortalized—and perhaps exposed—through song.

The Complete Profile: Shawn Mendes and Sabrina Carpenter

Before diving into the dating timeline and lyrical drama, here is a quick look at the two global pop sensations who briefly captured the internet’s attention.

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Shawn Mendes

• Full Name: Shawn Peter Raul Mendes
• Date of Birth: August 8, 1998
• Age (as of Dec 2025): 27
• Hometown: Pickering, Ontario, Canada
• Career Highlights: Gained fame on Vine in 2013; first three studio albums (*Handwritten*, *Illuminate*, *Shawn Mendes*) all debuted at number one on the US *Billboard* 200; hits include "Stitches," "Treat You Better," "In My Blood," and the Grammy-nominated duet "Señorita" with Camila Cabello. He is one of the best-selling music artists of the 21st century.

Sabrina Carpenter

• Full Name: Sabrina Annlynn Carpenter
• Date of Birth: May 11, 1999
• Age (as of Dec 2025): 26
• Hometown: Quakertown, Pennsylvania, U.S.
• Career Highlights: First gained prominence as Maya Hart on the Disney Channel series *Girl Meets World* (2014–2017); transitioned to a successful pop music career with albums like *Emails I Can't Send* and the globally successful, Grammy-nominated *Short n' Sweet* (2024); major hits include "Nonsense," "Feather," and "Espresso."

The 2023 Relationship Timeline: From Low-Key Dates to Public Denial

The rumored situationship between Shawn Mendes and Sabrina Carpenter was a classic celebrity whirlwind, characterized by secret dates, fan sightings, and a swift, public conclusion. The timeline of events in early 2023 is crucial to understanding the subsequent lyrical speculation.

• February 2023: The Spark
  Dating rumors first began circulating after an anonymous tip to gossip account Deuxmoi claimed the two were on a date. Soon after, they were spotted together on a walk in Los Angeles, appearing to be trying to keep things low-key.
• March 2023: The Outing
  The pair were photographed leaving Miley Cyrus's album release party together, further fueling the speculation that they were seeing each other. They reportedly attempted to exit separately but were caught by paparazzi, confirming they had spent the evening together.
• March 2023: The Denial
  Shawn Mendes publicly addressed the rumors, telling the press, "We are not dating, but I think we should talk about the new song." This firm denial effectively shut down the public narrative, even though sightings had already occurred.
• April 2023: The Return
  Just weeks after Mendes’s denial, he was photographed rekindling his relationship with his ex-girlfriend, Camila Cabello, at Coachella. The public display of affection confirmed that the brief flirtation with Sabrina Carpenter was over.

This quick shift—from low-key dates with Carpenter to a denial, followed immediately by a public reunion with Cabello—is the pivotal moment that fans believe inspired Sabrina Carpenter's most revealing music a year later.

The Lyrical Fallout: Why ‘Taste’ is Rumored to Be About Shawn Mendes

The true explosion of the Shawn-Sabrina narrative came with the release of Sabrina Carpenter's sixth studio album, *Short n’ Sweet*, in August 2024. While the singer has never confirmed the subject of her songs, the lyrics of the track "Taste" and others on the album are so specific that fans and music critics alike immediately drew a connection to the 2023 timeline involving Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello.

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1. The "Going Back to an Ex" Narrative

The most compelling evidence lies in the central theme of "Taste," which is about an ex-fling who quickly returns to a former partner. The song contains lines that perfectly mirror the public events of early 2023: Shawn Mendes denying the dating rumors and then being seen with Camila Cabello at Coachella.

2. The Height Reference

Sabrina Carpenter is known for being petite (4’11”). One of the most-cited rumored lyrics in the album alludes to the height difference between the two artists, a detail that would be instantly recognizable to fans who saw them photographed together. This specific, personal detail makes the connection seem undeniable to many listeners.

3. The "Coincidence" Track

Another track, "Coincidence," is also speculated to be about the Shawn Mendes situationship. The song describes a relationship that was supposed to be a casual, fun fling but ended up feeling like something more significant, only to be cut short. This aligns with the "low-key" nature of their rumored dates before the abrupt denial.

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4. The "That'll Be The Day" Rumored Response

In a fascinating turn of events, some fans believe Shawn Mendes released his own song, "That'll Be The Day," which contains lyrics that allude to his past romance with Sabrina Carpenter, including a line about "faking sex" in a past relationship. This rumored musical exchange further solidifies the public's belief that a significant, albeit brief, relationship existed between the two.

5. The Current Relationship Contrast (2025 Update)

The current romantic status of both artists in December 2025 provides a sharp contrast to the 2023 drama. Sabrina Carpenter is reportedly single, having recently taken a break from her high-profile relationship with actor Barry Keoghan, whom she dated for about a year. Meanwhile, Shawn Mendes has been recently linked to Brazilian model and actress Bruna Marquezine, Neymar's ex, with sightings of them moving comfortably through public spaces. This continuous cycle of new relationships, especially on the heels of the lyrical drama, keeps the Shawn-Sabrina chapter relevant as fans analyze every new move for further clues.

What is Shawn and Sabrina’s Status Now? (December 2025)

As of late 2025, the relationship between Shawn Mendes and Sabrina Carpenter remains purely in the realm of musical speculation and history. Both artists are thriving professionally, with Carpenter riding the global success of *Short n’ Sweet* and Mendes continuing to work on new music and public appearances.

The "love triangle" with Camila Cabello is a closed chapter, and the focus has shifted entirely to their respective solo careers and new romantic interests. While the 2023 fling was denied, the lyrical evidence in the 2024 album has ensured that the "Shawn and Sabrina" entity will live on as one of the most intriguing, unconfirmed celebrity situationships of the decade, proving that sometimes, a denial only makes the story louder.