A cappella group Pentatonix changed the music scene when it made its debut, winning the third season of NBC’s reality TV competition show The Sing-Off in 2011. The group not only became an international success, both online and onstage, but it also challenged the norms of what popular music was in the industry. Not just a vocal gimmick and not regulated to the stereotype of a “nerdy school choir,” the group earned its place in top industry billing with unique mashups, powerhouse vocals, and A-list collaborations. They continue to sell out venues around the world as the enjoy making music history with a Hollywood Star on the Walk of Fame, top Billboard chart rankings, and 5 Grammy nominations with three wins, with a long list of other accolades. Besides Mariah Carey, they pretty much dominate the Christmas season.
The group began with Kirstin Maldonado, Mitch Grassi, and Scott Hoying, who met as high school mates. The three went viral for their YouTube version of Gaga and Beyoncé’s “Telephone.” Pentatonix owes its formation to Hoying, who frantically got the crew back together for a last-minute audition for The Sing-Off, adding a cappella notable Avi Kaplan and viral YouTuber Kevin Olusola to the mix. With literally just hours to rehearse for the first time, they went on to win the show, and the group’s long-running history began.
In time for Pride season, details about Hoying’s childhood, career, and his coming out are now detailed in a book. The Untold Story of Scott Hoying, Pentatonix Star is emotional, compelling, and extremely intimate. In a unique twist, the book is not told by Scott, but by his mother, Connie Hoying, who, along with her own detailed memories of Scott’s musical talents from a very early childhood, to the pain of seeing her son’s struggle in coming out, has amassed a scrapbook collection of quotes of memories from Scott’s dynamic journey to stardom. This doesn’t just read like your standard biography; this is a mother’s loving recount of her son’s life that does not shy away from the difficult moments, but ultimately celebrates all aspects of the human spirit with regards to perseverance, the power of music, disappointment, challenges in parenting, the LGBTQ community, self-acceptance, and above all, unconditional love.
For fans of Pentatonix, the book is eye-opening as the realities behind the fame of the group; for parents of those queer kids who are coming out, this serves as unofficial guide; and for the queer and entertainment folk, it is a book about loving yourself, living your passion, and never giving up. The story isn’t about Scott’s fame; it is about all of our journeys in the face of life’s challenges.
While Scott knew his place in music as a child prodigy and then to rising star, his sexuality was not something that he celebrated, and he did not understand how it fit in with his career. Now, he is a bona fide international star, married, and his solo and Pentatonix careers show no signs of slowing down. Connie knew she had to share Scott’s story. We chatted with her as she waited for the book to go public.
Scott and Connie Hoying
After Scott’s wedding, I felt inspired to write the book. The timing seemed perfect. Over the years, many have asked me to share how we supported his success in the music industry and urged me to write about it. Now, with retirement and our last child married, the moment felt just right.
Regarding Scott’s coming out in high school, Connie does not shy away from the bumps and bruises that came with the experience. Though she felt unconditional love for him, she wasn’t sure how to proceed. She encouraged him to stay closeted professionally and, to aid Scott’s mental health, placed him in therapy – therapy that would prove to be less than helpful.
When Scott came out to me, my greatest fears were that he would face bullying and discrimination. As he was pursuing a career in the public eye, I also worried about discrimination in that world.
Looking back, I regret taking Scott to a therapist involved in conversion therapy. I didn’t really understand what it would be like for him, and I was devastated by how much it upset him. The therapist told Scott that he would go to hell and never succeed in the music industry—that still haunts me that I didn’t shield him from that.
Connie and her husband provided a safe and loving space for Scott and his siblings. The bond that connects this family is palpable, even through life’s challenges. For Connie, writing the book was bittersweet.
Revisiting the past by watching videos, looking at thousands of pictures, and speaking with and catching up with people from our past was really wonderful. I was struck by how those small, seemingly ordinary moments at the time shaped our lives and made us all who we are.
Writing this book was deeply emotional and nostalgic. It brought back all the memories of the highs and lows and the messy, beautiful moments of family life. It was bittersweet in that I missed those years of having little ones. This made me sad at times, but reliving the past 40 years and the memories also brought me so much joy and pride. Writing about the day Scott came out to me at 17, brought back some very raw emotions. Putting these stories on paper helped me see our life in a whole new light—the joy, the challenges, and the immense love our family has for one another.
Though fans see the glossy version of Scott onstage, on YouTube, and on social media, Connie needed to share Scott’s real life with his fans, and what it took for him to get where he is.
Scott has a relentless work ethic and boundless creativity. His passion extended beyond music to writing pop songs, musicals, rock operas, books, and films. Despite setbacks, he never gave up, often using challenges as fuel to push harder. I also want to highlight that people never accomplish anything alone. It takes a village. I hope to inspire others to persevere through rejection and never abandon their dreams and also remind people to appreciate the community they have or work to build.
The book isn’t just a tale about Scott’s life. It is a message to other parents of queer youth. It is a message that comes at a perfect time when LGBTQ families are challenged by what is happening socially and politically towards the community.
To parents of young queer folk in today’s complex social and political climate, my message is simple. Love unconditionally and listen deeply. Embrace your child’s identity and support them. Encourage them to live boldly, advocate for their right to thrive, and have open conversations to understand their dreams and fears. In a world that can feel divisive, your home should be a safe place— where they are accepted and celebrated for exactly who they are.
I hope readers of my book come away understanding that love, support, acceptance, and positivity can be truly life-changing for a young person. I also want them to see that setbacks do not have to be the end of the story. You must keep showing up, whether as a parent or someone following an impossible dream. Above all, I want them to see that our story is about leaning into life with love and keep in mind one of Scott’s mantras: ‘What would you do if you knew you could not fail?’
What is so intimate and touching in reading the book is Connie’s sharing of how she has been changed by her children. Unconditional love goes both ways, and it is important to see how parents can struggle, may not always have the right answers, and can learn and grow from understanding their children.
Raising Scott and his siblings increased my patience and empathy and taught me to be accepting. There is a lot I don’t understand about the world, but all of them helped me see new perspectives that have made me a better person. Raising children made me a more selfless, grounded, and reflective person, constantly pushing me to grow alongside them.
I’ve always told my kids they could achieve whatever dreams and goals they had, but I never gave myself that same encouragement. When I questioned who I thought I was, thinking I could write a book, it was my children who became my cheerleaders, urging me forward with, ‘You can do this, Mom.’ Their belief in me created a beautiful full-circle moment, showing me that I can do what might feel impossible, too.
And Connie’s message to parents of LGBTQ youth this Pride season is clear:
Love your child fully and unconditionally. Educate yourself about their experiences—connect with resources like the Trevor Project or local LGBTQ+ organizations. Celebrate their strengths and encourage their dreams. Setbacks can happen, but they can also fuel growth. Also, a more recent realization: no matter how old you are, you can still be an example- and the best examples can sometimes come from your own kids.
Scott provided the foreword to the book. That, too, is touching and highlights the love that he has for his fans, his husband, his parents, his siblings, and all of those who helped along in his career. With his stardom, he remains humble and aware of the gifts and chances that he has received in his career, not discounting the blood, sweat, and actual tears it took. With constantly being in the spotlight, presenting his best version, did he have any trepidation in having intimate details of his life shared? He chatted with us all about it.
Not too much! There were definitely a couple of things that felt scary to share, just because they’re so personal. But at the same time, I’m entering an era of life where authenticity and vulnerability mean more than ever. And if it helps someone feel less alone, then it’s definitely worth it.
There were parts that made me laugh and parts that brought back some suppressed memories. But overall, it made me really proud of the journey. It reminded me how much I’ve grown.
Photo by Sarah Boss
It is one thing to be close to your mom, it is another to have your parent do a deep dive into your life. For Scott, it bonded them even further.
It was beautiful, honestly. She’s always been my biggest supporter and seeing how she processed my story with so much love and detail, it made me emotional in the best way. I am really, really lucky to have had that support system my whole life.
Looking back at his coming out and some of the missteps during the process, does Scott wish that anything had gone differently?
I don’t think so. It wasn’t perfect, but it happened the way it needed to. I learned a lot. I grew a lot. And I wouldn’t be who I am today without all of it. I mainly just feel lighter now. Like I don’t have to pretend or hide anything. I feel more me, which has made everything—music, relationships, life—feel way more aligned and effortless. Authenticity creates flow. Flow is so powerful and attracts so much good into your life.
For Scott, celebrating his queerness is imperative. It is a part of him, which makes it a constant part of his art. Sharing the queer parts of his life in this book brings his fans closer to his music.
My queerness is in everything … my perspective, my lyrics, the way I perform. The sonic quality of the music. It’s not something I try to inject—it’s just part of who I am, and it naturally shows up in the art. And queer art is FUN.
What does he want his fans to know most about him?
That I really care. About the music, about the message, about people feeling seen. I’m still figuring things out just like anyone else, and rediscovering myself every day, but I’m trying to always lead with honesty and joy.
Though Scott enjoys a life of stardom, he is wildly aware of the struggles that the LGBTQ community faces, not just locally, but around the globe. What does he want opponents of queer folk to understand the most?
That we’re just human beings trying to live our lives. That we laugh, dance, fall in love, and dream just like everyone else. Especially when it comes to kids, telling them that who they are is wrong can do real damage. We all just want to be accepted and loved for who we are. The irony of the situation is, the more you let go and let a kid be, the more powerful, happy, and amazing they become.
As someone who remained in the closet at different stages in his life, he also has a message to those struggling with coming out.
You’re going to get through it. I promise. Go at your own pace. There’s no right timeline. But also, know that being yourself is a beautiful thing. You deserve to feel safe and loved exactly as you are, and there are people who will absolutely love you as your authentic self.
You’re iconic!! Keep being you. Queer people are essential to this world. Your light, your perspective, and your joy. You’re not alone, and I am so grateful for you.
As Scott continues to look to the future, where does he go from here, already having such success in so many areas? What kind of legacy does he want to create?
I hope it helps people feel a little more understood and helps people understand. I hope my music can stick around and make people feel something, even long after I’m done performing it. (I want) to keep making stuff I’m proud of. I want to keep evolving, keep trying new things, and always make space for joy and meaning in what I do. I’d love to act more, dance more, produce more, and expand my artistry past any boundary possible. Life is so rich with opportunity.
The Untold Story of Scott Hoying, Pentatonix Star: My Son’s Journey to Find Harmony in Music and Life is now available wherever you get your books
The book always includes a QR code to an original, unreleased song, “Pray.”
Last modified: June 10, 2025
