Pop Star Benson Boone Opens Up About Leaving Mormon Church and Choosing Sobriety

Benson Boone, the 22-year-old pop sensation who shot to fame with his hit song "Beautiful Things," recently shared his decision to leave the Mormon Church, as well as his views on sobriety.

Raised in a devout Mormon household, Boone’s upbringing emphasized abstaining from substances like drugs, alcohol, and even coffee. However, the singer revealed in an interview with Rolling Stone that his personal choice to avoid drugs and alcohol isn’t rooted in religious beliefs but rather his own concerns about his "addictive personality."

"For me personally, like, dude, I would die," Boone candidly explained. "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." Surprisingly, Boone pointed to his love of candy as evidence of his self-proclaimed addictive tendencies.

While Boone has tried coffee during outings in Los Angeles with his girlfriend, influencer Maggie Thurmon, he admitted he couldn’t develop a taste for it. "It literally tastes like burnt wood," he quipped.

Boone also spoke about distancing himself from the Mormon Church, saying he doesn’t want to be tied to one specific religion. "I have my own opinions. Some are from this religion, some are from that religion, some are from no religion," he shared. Boone’s ambivalence toward the faith began in childhood, as he felt disconnected from the spiritual experiences others around him described.

After briefly enrolling at Brigham Young University, Boone dropped out to pursue his music career, bypassing the strict campus rules enforced by the LDS Church. Despite his departure from Mormonism, Boone maintains a strong relationship with his parents, who encourage him to explore his own beliefs.

Beyond religion, Boone touched on his approach to politics, emphasizing that his views don’t place him firmly on the left or right. However, he clarified that the title of his upcoming album, "American Heart," carries no political connotations. "It’s just me. ‘American Heart’ is my heart, and it’s not my heart because it’s American. It’s my heart because I’m Benson Boone," he explained.

Boone’s journey into music was almost accidental. In high school, he discovered his singing talent when a fellow band member quit before a performance. "I went out on stage and started singing, and my voice kind of just came out of me," he recalled. That moment led to Boone winning the Battle of the Bands, marking the beginning of his musical career.

After gaining recognition on TikTok, Boone briefly competed on American Idol before deciding the show wasn’t the right fit for his ambitions. He later signed with Imagine Dragons’ frontman Dan Reynolds’ Night Street Records, releasing his debut single "Ghost Town," which charted globally.

In June 2023, Boone opened for Taylor Swift during her Eras Tour in London, describing her as "an unbelievable performer" and "a genuine person." Boone was awestruck by the scale and intricacy of her production.

Boone’s breakthrough hit, "Beautiful Things," has earned him widespread acclaim, including a Grammy nomination. Although he didn’t win, Boone delivered a memorable performance at the awards show, complete with a stage backflip. While he’s proud of "Beautiful Things," Boone is eager to prove he’s more than just a one-hit wonder.

"I think this year has taught me a lot of things, especially that it is incredibly easy to get carried away with my ego," Boone admitted. Weekly "ego checks" with his manager and best friend help him stay grounded. "I’m not the king of the world," he said. "I’m still an up-and-coming artist."