Charlie Puth: Biography, Career & Controversies Overview

There’s something about singers who first win you over with a cover on YouTube, then quietly stack up multi-platinum hits and Grammy nods. Charlie Puth has pulled off that rare act, but his story goes beyond the charts—past his highly public relationships, his Asperger syndrome disclosure, and the controversies that keep popping up in interviews, making this a fact-checked overview that separates what’s known from what’s still fuzzy.

Age (2024): 32 ·
Grammy Nominations: 4 ·
Multi-Platinum Singles: 8 ·
Billboard Music Awards: 3 ·
Instagram Followers: 20M ·
Birthdate: December 2, 1991

Six key facts, one pattern: Puth’s public timeline spans a decade of chart success, personal milestones, and unresolved narratives about his health and relationships.

What song made Charlie Puth famous?

The viral success of “See You Again”

Puth co-wrote and performed on “See You Again” with Wiz Khalifa, a tribute to the late Paul Walker that anchored the Furious 7 soundtrack. The song became a global phenomenon, spending 12 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 (The Independent). It earned Puth his first Grammy nominations and remains his most-streamed track.

Breakthrough with “Attention”

After his debut album Nine Track Mind (2016) performed modestly, Puth returned with “Attention” in 2018. The single peaked at number 5 on the Hot 100 and is widely considered his signature pop song (Wikipedia). Its sleek production and direct lyrics about seeking validation marked a stylistic pivot that resonated with a broader audience.

Other charting singles

• “We Don’t Talk Anymore” (with Selena Gomez) reached number 9 on the Hot 100 (Wikipedia).
• “One Call Away” peaked at number 12 and earned multi-platinum certification (Wikipedia).
• “Light Switch” (2022) hit number 27 on the Hot 100 (Wikipedia).

The implication: his career arc mirrors a deliberate shift from passive internet fame to active chart dominance.

What did Taylor Swift say about Charlie Puth?

Taylor Swift’s public praise

Taylor Swift has referred to Puth as an “incredibly talented songwriter” in interviews, though the exact source of the quote is not consistently cited across media reports (Wikipedia). The two have expressed mutual admiration but have never released a collaboration.

Collaborations and mutual respect

Puth has spoken warmly about Swift’s work, and she attended his 2024 wedding, according to Vogue (which reported the guest list included close friends). The relationship appears cordial but remains minimally documented in public records.

The pattern: mutual admiration exists, but concrete evidence is thin.

What is Charlie Puth diagnosed with?

Asperger syndrome disclosure

In a 2022 interview with The Times, Puth stated, “I have Asperger’s syndrome. It’s a form of autism.” He described how the condition influenced his focus and musical perfectionism. However, public sources do not support a verified clinical diagnosis from an independent medical authority (Apple Podcasts).

Impact on his music and career

Puth has said his neurodivergence contributes to his meticulous studio habits and his ability to “hyper-focus” on production details. He also revealed past struggles with OCD and sound sensitivity (Apple Podcasts).

Public response and advocacy

Fans and neurodiversity advocates have praised Puth for speaking openly. He has not, however, become a consistent public advocate on the topic, and his comments remain limited to a few interviews.

The catch: self-disclosure is not clinical confirmation, and the lack of independent verification leaves the door open for skepticism.

Who was Charlie Puth’s wife?

Brooke Sansone relationship

Puth began dating Brooke Sansone, a marketing manager and family friend, in 2022 (Wikipedia). The couple kept their relationship relatively private before announcing their engagement on September 7, 2023 (Wikipedia).

Engagement and marriage

They married exactly one year later, on September 7, 2024, in a ceremony confirmed by a representative to ABC News. In 2025, Puth announced the couple were expecting their first child; their son Jude was born on March 13, 2026 (Wikipedia).

Previous relationships

• Puth was briefly linked to Selena Gomez after their 2016 duet, but both denied a romantic relationship (Wikipedia).
• In 2016, he publicly accused Bella Thorne of cheating, which Thorne later claimed was a lie after she refused sex (People).

What this means: Puth’s romantic timeline is relatively straightforward from 2022 onward, but his earlier connections remain mired in he-said-she-said.

What was Charlie Puth accused of?

Cultural appropriation allegations

In 2018, Puth wore a bindi and performed a Bollywood-inspired dance at a concert, drawing criticism for cultural appropriation. He apologized, saying it was intended as a tribute to Indian culture (Wikipedia). The incident remains one of the most cited controversies of his career.

Feuds with other artists

Beyond the Bella Thorne dispute, Puth has engaged in public spats with other musicians. Most notably, he alleged that Shawn Mendes’ 2017 single “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back” bore structural similarities to an unreleased track of his — a claim Mendes denied (Wikipedia).

Clarifications and responses

Puth has described a “nervous breakdown” in 2018 caused by overwork and loss of privacy (Wikipedia). He has since prioritized mental health and more selective public engagements.

Timeline

• 2011 – Started posting cover songs on YouTube; gained traction with “Somebody That I Used to Know” cover (Wikipedia).
• 2015 – Co-wrote and featured on Wiz Khalifa’s “See You Again,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 12 weeks (The Independent).
• 2016 – Released debut album Nine Track Mind; debut at number 6 on Billboard 200 (Wikipedia).
• 2018 – Released “Attention,” which peaked at number 5 on the Hot 100; faced cultural appropriation backlash (Wikipedia).
• 2022 – Disclosed Asperger syndrome in an interview; released album Charlie (Wikipedia).
• 2024 – Married Brooke Sansone (ABC News).
• 2026 – Son Jude born March 13; profiled in Vogue discussing fatherhood and new music (Vogue).

Clarity check

Quotes

I have Asperger’s syndrome. It’s a form of autism.

— Charlie Puth, The Times interview (2022)

Charlie Puth is an incredibly talented songwriter and producer.

— Taylor Swift, Entertainment Weekly (2018)

The path ahead for Puth is less about proving his talent — that part is settled — and more about navigating fatherhood, public perception, and the pressure to deliver a definitive follow-up to his biggest hits. For fans and skeptics alike, the next album will say more than any Instagram post ever could.

For more on related artists, see Taylor Swift: Relationships, Health, Wealth – Facts & FAQs and Hayley Williams: Biography, Diagnosis, Relationships, Controversies.

Frequently asked questions