Shawn Mendes Debuts New Single 'Nobody Knows' Live at 2024 MTV VMAs in Intimate, Candlelit Performance

The 2024 MTV VMAs are airing live from New York’s UBS Arena on Wednesday, Sept. 11

Shawn Mendes
Shawn Mendes performs at the 2024 MTV VMAs. Photo:

Mike Coppola/Getty 

Shawn Mendes rocked the VMAs stage!

On Wednesday, Sept. 11, the "In My Blood" singer, 26, debuted his new single "Nobody Knows" — from his upcoming fifth album, Shawn — live at the awards show, which is his first televised performance from the LP.

During the set, Mendes, who last performed at the VMAs in 2021, delivered a stripped-down rendition of the new single, which will be released at midnight on Thursday, Sept. 12.

Dressed in a black shirt that was unbuttoned to show off his chest, Mendes performed amid a collection of candles and smiled throughout the song as he showed off his range during an electric climax.

Check out all of PEOPLE's full MTV VMAs coverage here.

Shawn Mendes
Shawn Mendes performing at the 2024 MTV VMAs.

Mike Coppola/Getty 

The singer/songwriter's performance was announced last month alongside artists including AnittaKarol G and LL Cool J and Shawn Mendes.

Meanwhile, Anitta will take the VMAs stage for a third year in a row, performing a medley of “Savage Funk” and “Algeria,” along with the world premiere of “Paradise” with Fat Joe, DJ Khaled and Tiago PZK. She received three nominations this year, including best Latin.

In 2023, Karol G won her first Moon Person and is nominated in the best latin category this year. She released her most recent album, Mañana Será Bonito, in February 2023.

LL Cool J will make his return to the VMAs with his first performance in over 25 years, during the 50th anniversary of hip-hop tribute. Back in 1997, he received the video vanguard award and took home his first Moon Person in 1991.

Additionally, Chappell RoanSabrina CarpenterCamila CabelloGloRillaRauw AlejandroHalseyLenny KravitzLisa and Benson Boone will perform at the VMAs.

Shawn Mendes attends the Loewe Womenswear Fall/Winter 2024-2025 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on March 01, 2024 in Paris, France.
Shawn Mendes at Paris Fashion Week on March 1, 2024 in Paris.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty

Last month, Mendes shared his first new solo songs since his 2023 charity single "What the Hell Are We Dying For?" with "Why Why Why" and "Isn't That Enough." His upcoming album Shawn, which he announced earlier last month, will be his first new LP since 2020's Wonder.

The album marks Mendes' "most musically intimate and lyrically honest work to date," promising listeners a "profound self-dialogue" on each of the 12 songs, per a press release.

The 2024 MTV VMAs air on Sept. 11 at 8 p.m. ET/ PT live from the UBS Arena in New York.

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