He stated that he cannot confirm or deny", but added that their relationship in the past six months leading up to the time of the interview has grown closer.

[15][16] In an exclusive interview for Apple Music, Mendes told Zane Lowe that the single is "about how society can put celebrities up on a pedestal and watch them fall".

"[17] The song was first revealed on September 29, 2020, when Mendes launched an interactive VR experience on a website for the album, in which a "set list" showed a track titled "Monster" with a special guest.

[20][21] On November 13, 2020, Mendes released the official album tracklist, confirming the song's title, while its co-lead artist remains unannounced.

[22] On November 16, 2020, Mendes and Bieber both posted a 13-second teaser clip on social media, officially announcing the release date of the collaboration,[23] which serves as the second single from the album after "Wonder".

[36] The video is shot in one single take, and starts with Mendes walking through the woods onto a cube platform with stairs and continuing his performance there, before being joined by Bieber.

The song debuted and peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100, making it Mendes' sixth top 10 and Bieber's 21st in the United States.