Mitch Grassi is one fifth of everyone’s favorite a cappella group,Pentatonix.
And, of course, Pentatonix isn’t Grassi’s only claim to fame.
The singer-songwriter is also part of the duo Superfruit alongside fellow Pentatonix member Scott Hoying.
And, in 2021, Grassi released his first solo music under the name Messer.
Curious to find out more?
Here is the untold truth of Mitch Grassi.
“It’s a very sports-centric town, and there was a lot of toxic masculinity growing up.”
Grassi toldGo Pride, “We had been in choir for most of our high school careers.”
Sounds like Grassi found a little pocket of Texas where he fit right in.
So, he didn’t initially believe in himself much as a singer.
I get it and I like it.'"
Sounds like Grassi was always unique.
Grassi explained that when Pentatonix began writing their own songs, they began with the melody.
But, of course, it wasn’t easy at first.
“It was difficult.
It was trial and error,” he toldGo Pride.
Over the years, Grassi has become more confident.
He now has an organic, creative process that he uses to write.
“Usually, it starts with a chord progression and loose melodies,” he toldIntersect Magazine.
Then, he’ll distill that into lyrics.
One thing’s for sure this ultra-creative, exploratory approach is working!
Grassi started acting in community plays, thanks to his parents, when he was about 8 years old.
Through this experience, he discovered that he was most comfortable when he was up on stage.
“I was a pretty shy kid.
Grassi continued acting in theatrical productions throughout school.
One important role for Grassi was playing Anthony in “Sweeney Todd” when he was older.
“And I still have anxiety dreams about doing ‘Sweeney Todd’ for some reason.”
Sounds like musical theater was a huge part of Grassi’s life.
The exploration of self parallels the exploration in artistry.”
As he put it, “My inner world is only unique to me and me alone.”
Plus, trying different styles allows him to experiment with different facets of his personality.
Since then, Grassi has served numerous killer looks.
And, in 2020, he even played a part in announcing Balenciaga’s latest collection.
However, the pair have never had a romantic connection.
Instead, they are lifelong best friends.
The pair met when they were kids while doing a community theater production of “Annie.”
Then, they reunited in high school choir.
“It’s just the most comfortable bond.
The most accepting, comfortable thing,” Grassi gushed toYahoo.
It’s amazing."
Superfruit is vastly different from Pentatonix for one thing, they use instruments!
And as Superfruit, the pair certainly have pushed the boundaries when it comes to creating visual content.
This bright and fun exploration of gender fluidity definitely goes way beyond the visuals that Pentatonix created!
Nevertheless, Grassi doesn’t always feel comfortable there especially since he’s begun experimenting more with experimental fashion.
“I totally get it.”
Plus, simply being visibly queer, he said, was somewhat radical in his industry.
As Grassi explained in an interview withGo Pride, being openly gay actually helped his career, too.
“My career, as a queer person, has been pretty successful.”
His first EP, “Roses,” was released in August 2021.
It’s clear that the songs on this EP were intensely personal for Grassi.
“Machine,” for instance, was a song about self-love.
The song “Angels Pray,” on the other hand, is about yearning to escape.
“Me personally, I didn’t grow up listening to that much a cappella,” he said.
However, when a friend gave him a mix CD of Rockapella songs, he was hooked.
After discovering a cappella through that one mix CD, he began listening to more collegiate a cappella groups.
Soon, he became fascinated by how humans could use their voices as instruments.
Plus, he learned to love how performing made him feel.
The rest is, of course, history.
When he was younger, he had plenty of people he looked up to in the music industry.
Lady Gaga, he toldOut, is one of his biggest queer icons.
Another big musical influence for Grassi is Imogen Heap.
He also mentionedAlanis Morissetteand show tunes as being big influences in his childhood.
With so many eclectic influences, it’s no wonder Grassi’s music is so unique.
That’s where his duo Superfruit and his solo project, Messer, came in.
Branching out from the world of a cappella gave Grassi a whole new world of possibility.
“It’s less of a puzzle to put together, I would say.”
Grassi went on to explain some of the artists to the rest of Pentatonix.
“And the common ground is, say it with me, Pentatonix.”
