Before becoming a pop star, Benson Boone grew up Mormon and even attended a semester at Brigham Young University–Idaho. In a new interview with Rolling Stone, the singer revealed he now doesn’t “want to be a part of one religion.”
“I have my own opinions,” he said about leaving the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “Some are from this religion, some are from this religion, some are from no religion.”
Speaking to the magazine, Boone explained he felt a disconnect early on in 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,” he recalled. “I never felt it as physically present as they did, and so I was always confused and frustrated.”
Boone continued, “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.” Eventually, he opened up to a friend, who admitted they felt the same way.
His parents have come to accept Boone’s break from the church, and despite having their own views about religion and God, want him to “figure it out on my own.” He added, “Whatever I come to, and whatever I feel is right, that’s what they want for me.”
Elsewhere in the interview, the 22-year-old artist said he was also working out his politics, which are not meant to be interpreted from the title of his upcoming album, American Heart: “People think if you have one or two views that are on the left or right side, that you have to be the left or on the right. And I don’t think that’s how it is.”
According to Rolling Stone, the release of the tentatively titled album is set for this spring or summer. It follows Boone’s debut album, Fireworks & Rollerblades, which spawned his breakout hit, “Beautiful Things.”
Later this month, Boone will begin an international festival run, including appearances at Coachella, Governors Ball, and BottleRock Napa. Get tickets here.
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