Benson Boone opens up about growing up Mormon: ‘I was confused and frustrated’

Benson Boone is reflecting on growing up Mormon with a devout religious family.

In a new interview with Rolling Stone, the 22-year-old singer recalls not feeling connected to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-­day Saints, despite his upbringing.

“Growing up, a lot of people at church would talk about these experiences that they’ve had and these personal revelations and feelings and voices. I never felt it as physically present as they did, and so I was always confused and frustrated,” he told the magazine in a new interview released March 11. “I was always scared to bring that up to people because I just didn’t want to accept that, like, I wasn’t feeling what everyone else was feeling.”

When he shared his thoughts with his friend, they replied, “Thank goodness. I feel the same way.”

Boone said since then, he has his own stance on religion.

“ I don’t want to be a part of one religion. I have my own opinions. Some are from this religion, some are from this religion, some are from no religion,” he explained.

He added that his decision to step back from his childhood faith hasn’t been an issue with his parents.

“ My parents definitely have their own views, but when it comes to religion and God, they want me to figure it out on my own,” he said. “And whatever I come to, and whatever I feel is right, that’s what they want for me.”

And while he doesn’t consider himself Mormon, he told the magazine that he still abstains from alcohol and drugs. He has, however, had coffee, which is forbidden in the religion, but doesn’t enjoy it.

“ There was a period of time where I really wanted to like coffee and (would) go out to this place in L.A. with (my girlfriend) Maggie (Thurmon),” he shared. “And I would try sips of her coffee every day and it literally tastes like burnt wood.”

But part of his own journey is also deciding for himself to stay away from any addictive substance because of his personality and health.

“ I just think for me personally, like, dude, I would die,” he said. “’Cause I have such an addictive personality. I feel like if I started, I would do it so much that my health would just decline and I wouldn’t enjoy touring as much.”

And when it comes to making decisions outside of his former religion, the Grammy-nominated artist said he considers his biggest weakness to be his biggest strength, which is, “When I convince my brain of something, I have to do it. There’s no backing out or stepping down.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Boone attended Brigham Young University, a private Mormon university, for a semester before dropping out to pursue a music career.

He would go on to audition for Season 19 of “American Idol,” making it to the top 24 — before also exiting the show. At the time, Boone felt that the show would hold him back than help him have a real music career.

The singer appears to have made a great move with the release of “Beautiful Things,” which would go on to become the most-streamed track in the world in 2024, according to Rolling Stone.