Benson Boone Opens Up About His Religious Journey and Struggles with Mormonism
Though Benson Boone was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he now embraces a more personal and individual approach to faith.
In a recent Rolling Stone cover story, the Beautiful Things singer, 22, shared that he doesn’t identify with just one 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 that religion, some are from no religion at all,” Boone explained.
He recalled feeling out of place while growing up in the church. “A lot of people at church would talk about these experiences they’ve had—these personal revelations and feelings and voices. But I never felt anything as physically present as they did,” he admitted. “I was always confused and frustrated. I didn’t want to accept that I wasn’t feeling what everyone else was feeling.”
Despite his shifting beliefs, Boone’s parents, who remain devout, have supported his spiritual journey. “They want me to figure it out on my own,” he shared. “Whatever I feel is right, that’s what they want for me.”
Although he abstains from drinking and drugs, Boone has tried coffee—something prohibited in the Mormon faith. He also expressed concerns about developing unhealthy habits. “I have such an addictive personality,” he said. “If I started, I feel like I’d do it so much that my health would decline, and I wouldn’t enjoy touring as much.”
Boone’s rise in the music industry has been meteoric. His debut album, Fireworks & Rollerblades, earned him a Best New Artist nomination at the 2025 Grammy Awards, and his single Beautiful Things reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Before his success, Boone briefly attended Brigham Young University in Idaho but left to pursue music. He also competed on American Idol in season 19, making it to the top 24 before voluntarily exiting the competition.
“The reason I quit American Idol is because I wanted to do music,” Boone said in a past interview. “I didn’t want people to think that American Idol made me. I wanted to be known for my own music.”