Before he became a global sensation, her son spent his childhood surrounded by the challenges of poverty in a small town. She was a teenager when she had him and worked tirelessly to provide for him. The pair lived in a modest home where even small luxuries like ordering a soda at a restaurant were out of reach.
Her teenage years were shaped by immense challenges, including a broken home and personal trauma that left lasting scars. At 17, her life took a dramatic turn when she found out she was pregnant. Friends and advisors encouraged her to terminate the pregnancy, but she refused, deciding instead to raise her child alone — no matter the obstacles
After her son’s birth, she worked tirelessly to make ends meet. Living in low-income housing and holding down low-wage jobs, she found ways to nurture her son’s curiosity and talents.
What began as a modest life in a small Canadian town would eventually evolve into a story of global success, all driven by her unwavering determination.
Her childhood was anything but easy. When her parents separated, her father moved far away, leaving a void that shaped much of her early years. But the absence of stability was only the beginning. Between the ages of five and ten, she was sexually abused.
By the time she was a teenager, she was battling the emotional aftermath of severe childhood trauma, which drove her into a cycle of substance abuse and depression. The weight of her struggles became overwhelming and she attempted to end her own life.
By the time she was 17, she discovered she was pregnant. While many around her encouraged her to terminate the pregnancy, she made the bold choice to keep her baby. “I just knew I couldn’t[…] abort. I had to do my best, no matter how hard it was going to be,” she later described her mindset during that time.
When the determined mom heard her son’s first cry, her life changed forever. “He sounded like he was singing,” she recalled, describing his unique cry as almost melodic. That sound, so precious to her, became a spark of hope — a reason to push forward despite the challenges ahead.
The woman’s son as seen in a post dated March 1, 2023 | Source: Instagram/pattiemallette
Raising Her Son Alone: A Life of Sacrifice
Life as a single mother was an uphill battle. Her son’s father was only 18 when he was born and, as her son would later explain, he was “not in a place where he could raise a kid.” Shortly after her son’s birth, the father left for British Columbia and remained absent for about a year.
The little boy as seen in a post dated March 1, 2023 | Source: Instagram/pattiemallette
When he returned, the singer’s mother firmly told him, “if you’re going to be here, you have to be here.” Although their relationship didn’t last, the father eventually became a part of his son’s life, spending weekends and occasional days together.
For her, however, the responsibility of raising her child fell largely on her shoulders. Living in low-income housing, she worked low-paying office jobs to make ends meet. Money was tight, and even small indulgences were out of reach.
The mother and son son as seen in a post dated March 1, 2023 | Source: Instagram/pattiemallette
Her son once reflected, “I remember sitting in restaurants with my mother, and she’d make me order water instead of soda. I remember so badly wanting to order a soda.”
The mother-son duo seen in a post dated March 1, 2023 | Source: Instagram/pattiemallette
Support came from her parents, and her son spent much of his childhood at their modest home in Stratford, Ontario. His creativity began to shine in this small town, with his mother encouraging him to explore his interests whenever she could.
The Breakthrough: From YouTube to Stardom
Even as a young boy, his love for music was undeniable. While growing up, he spent hours exploring different instruments. He had no formal training but taught himself to play the piano, guitar, and trumpet.
He also took drum lessons, honing his rhythm and skill. Music became a passion he kept to himself. By 12, he took his first step toward sharing his gift. He entered a local talent competition and stunned the audience with his performance, earning second place.
Wanting to share the moment with family and friends who couldn’t attend, he uploaded videos of the performance to YouTube. What started as a simple way to connect with loved ones soon became the catalyst for a career no one could have imagined.