Austin Mahone Opens Up About His Recent Health Scare

(Photo Credit: Barry King/Getty Images)

After suffering a blood clot in his throat last month, teen pop star Austin Mahone is preparing for a healthy comeback.

"I feel a lot better," Mahone, 17, told People magazine in an exclusive interview. "I'm still trying to get to 100 percent, but I'm taking it one step at a time."

The singer's camp issued a statement Oct. 17 postponing the MTV Artist to Watch concert tour because of a mysterious illness. The same day, Mahone shared an Instagram photo of himself in a hospital gown with the caption, "I've never felt so bad."

He was diagnosed with a high fever, dehydration and a blood clot in his vocal cords.

Austin Mahone Hospitalized, Cancels Tour Dates

"I would say two days before I started feeling a little bump in my throat," Mahone said. "Every time I swallowed it would be scratchy, it would hurt and I had the chills. It made my throat hurt so bad, for three days straight I wasn't even eating solid food."

With such serious symptoms, fans are beginning to wonder, "What exactly is the remedy for this young crooner?"

"I just need a break," he said.

"The doctor said whenever I do a lot of traveling I don't get much rest," he explained. "I'm waking up at 3 a.m., then going all day, then not going to sleep until 12. He said I need a lot more rest."

While his tour might be canceled, Mahone remains hard at work during his prescribed break, conducting research for a comeback.

"I spent most of my time in my room," he said. "I watched YouTube videos of people I look up to, so next time I do a show, I can do better and be better."

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"I have actually been going to the gym, not as hard as I was, but just trying to slowly get back into it," he added. "I was starting to feel like a couch potato."

In the interview, the "What About Love" vocalist also dished on new projects including his upcoming single, "Banga! Banga!"

"It's basically me talking about how perfect she is, the way she moves, her personality," he said of the pop track. "I'm saying I promise if I make you my girl, we're gonna have a good time."

Who is this mysterious "she"? It is definitely not alleged crush Camila Cabello, Mahone said.

"I haven't seen her since I hung out with her at the Arthur Ashe charity event," he explained. "We're not dating. We're just friends."