Whether the relationship with Camilla was “authentic” or not, there’s no doubt that it came off cringe-y and forced. Within a few weeks of supposedly being together they’re making out in public, licking toes in public, constantly talking about each other to the press, going to every red carpet event with each other. They got together when Camilla was about to release an album and when the “queer talk” was really revving up for Shawn. That made it them come off even more calculated. But even if it was “real”, it was still cringe-y and ended up hurting instead of benefitting both of their careers. They also broke up just in time for the “break-up album” narrative to be pushed for Camilla’s release.
Once again, Shawn could be a “regular ‘straight’ guy”. Or he could be struggling with being “out” or struggling with stuff like fluidity, contradictions, internalized phobias, mental health, trying to understand his dimensions and preferences, trying to understand his place in the gender, sexual, affection, romantic, emotion, commitment spectrum. But the note also comes off like further calculation. It felt more about creating a new field of interests and sympathy. And he knew many people would interpret it a certain way considering all the “gay” talk that’s out there. All of these public figures create narrative and do things for image, press, ego, and of course money. But you don’t want to come off forced and phony. That will hurt your appeal. So much of what Shawn has done has simply had no finesse to it. No matter his dimensions, a lot has come off calculated, desperate and insecure.
