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'{{short description|American musician, tenor singer, and songwriter}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2019}} {{Infobox person | name = Mitch Grassi | image = Mitch Grassi 2015 b&w.jpg | caption = Grassi performing with [[Pentatonix]] at the [[Austin360 Amphitheater]] in Austin, Texas in August 2015 | birth_name = Mitchell Coby Michael Grassi | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|July|24}} | birth_place = [[Arlington, Texas]], United States | relatives = | spouse = | children = | awards = 3 Grammys | module = {{Infobox musical artist|embed=yes | background = solo_singer | genre = {{hlist|[[A cappella]]|pop}} | occupation = {{hlist|Singer|musician| songwriter }} | instrument = {{hlist|Vocals|piano|keyboards|synthesizer}} | years_active = 2002–present| associated_acts = [[Pentatonix]], [[Superfruit (duo)|Superfruit]] | label = [[RCA Records|RCA]], [[Madison Gate Records|Madison Gate]] }} }} '''Mitchell Coby Michael Grassi''' (born July 24, 1992) is an American singer, songwriter, arranger, and musician from [[Arlington, Texas]], who came to international attention as the founder and performer of two groups; the quintet [[a cappella]] collective [[Pentatonix]], and the duo [[Superfruit (duo)|Superfruit]] with [[Scott Hoying]].<ref name=":11">{{Cite web|url=https://thegavoice.com/culture/music/mitch-grassi-of-pentatonix-on-being-gay-in-the-cool-a-cappella-band/|title=Mitch Grassi of Pentatonix on being gay in the cool a cappella band|last=|first=|date=November 23, 2012|website=[[Georgia Voice]]|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 27, 2019}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web|url=http://www.out.com/out-exclusives/2017/4/10/pentatonix-singer-mitch-grassi-pop-musics-unlikely-radical|title=Pentatonix Singer Mitch Grassi: Pop's Unlikely Radical|last=Moran|first=Justin|date=April 10, 2017|website=[[Out (magazine)|Out]]|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 25, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mymetmedia.com/review-is-it-really-the-best-of-pentatonix-christmas/|title=Review: Is It Really the Best of Pentatonix Christmas? -|last=Webber|first=Megan|date=November 30, 2019|website=My Met Media|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 29, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://boldandsugar.com/bold-sugar-interviews-mitch-grassi-of-pentatonix-dont-be-afraid-to-be-different/|title=Bold & Sugar Interviews Mitch Grassi of Pentatonix: "Don't Be Afraid to Be Different"|last1=Jones|first1=Darianna|website=BoldAndSugar.com|publisher=Bold and Sugar|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140825082323/http://boldandsugar.com/bold-sugar-interviews-mitch-grassi-of-pentatonix-dont-be-afraid-to-be-different/|archivedate=August 25, 2014|accessdate=January 24, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name=":19">{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2016/01/05/pentatonix-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-worlds-biggest-a-cappella-act/|title=Pentatonix: Everything You Need To Know About The World's Biggest A Cappella Act|last=Greenburg|first=Zack O'Malley|date=January 5, 2016|website=[[Forbes (magazine)|Forbes]]|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 27, 2019}}</ref> As of May 2019, Pentatonix has released ten albums, including two number ones, have had four songs in the [[Billboard Hot 100]], and won three [[Grammy Award|Grammy awards]] as "the first a cappella group to achieve mainstream success in the modern market".<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2019/05/07/pentatonixs-mitch-grassi-talks-upcoming-tour-and-covering-billie-eilish/|title=Pentatonix's Mitch Grassi Talks Upcoming Tour And Covering Billie Eilish|last=McIntyre|first=Hugh|date=May 7, 2019|website=[[Forbes (magazine)|Forbes]]|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 25, 2019}}</ref><ref name=":21" /> {{As of|2019|02}}, Superfruit's YouTube channel has over 2.5 million subscribers and has accumulated over 392 million views.<ref>{{cite web|title=Superfruit – About|url=https://www.youtube.com/user/sup3rfruit/about|publisher=Superfruit|via=YouTube|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816215606/https://www.youtube.com/user/sup3rfruit/about|archive-date=2016-08-16|access-date=7 May 2017|df=}}</ref> He is a [[tenor]] known for “his incredibly high and versatile vocal range”.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Pentatonix — The Perfect Quintet|url=https://sites.psu.edu/passionofthecummings/2018/01/09/pentatonix-the-perfect-quintet/|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-10-05|website=sites.psu.edu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=10 Years Later, Pentatonix Members Are Still Singing in Harmony|url=https://www.distractify.com/p/members-of-pentatonix|access-date=2020-10-05|website=Distractify|language=en}}</ref> As of 2016, Grassi lives in [[Hollywood, California]].<ref name=":2" /> In April 2020 Grassi debuted a solo [[moniker]], '''Messer''', doing a DJ set of "a range of dark, techno tunes" at [[Paper (magazine)|''Paper'']]’s Club Quarantine [[Zoom Video Communications|Zoom]] event during the [[COVID-19 pandemic|Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Wig: Mitch Grassi Debuted Messer at PAPER x Club Quarantine|url=https://www.papermag.com/club-quarantine-messer-uffie-aluna-2645887863.html?rebelltitem=10#rebelltitem10?rebelltitem=10|last=Moran|first=Justin|date=May 1, 2020|website=[[Paper (magazine)|Paper]]|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=May 1, 2020}}</ref> == Early life and education == Mitchell "Mitch" Coby Michael Grassi was born {{Birth date|1992|7|24}} in [[Arlington, Texas]], to Nel Grassi (née Fenton) and [[Hornell, New York|Hornell]] native, Michael Grassi.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/mitch-grassi/bio/826288|title=Mitch Grassi|last=|first=|date=|editor-last=Clark|editor-first=Noelene|website=[[TVGuide.com]]|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 29, 2019}}</ref><ref name=":19" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eveningtribune.com/article/20110930/news/309309920|title=Son of Hornell native to appear on NBC's "The Sing Off"|last=|first=|date=September 30, 2011|website=[[The Evening Tribune]]|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 29, 2019}}</ref> Grassi is of half Italian, and half a mix of Scottish, Irish and Welsh descent.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=March 4, 2014|title=SLEEPING NAKED (Q&A)|url=https://m.youtube.com/OOC4zYd-XFg|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=July 27, 2020|website=Superfruit}}</ref> The couple relocated to the [[Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas]] area in the mid-1980s for Mike's career in the [[airline industry]]; Nel is a [[dental hygienist]] educator.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.pentaconevent.com/post/an-interview-with-mike-grassi-pentacon-2018|title=An interview with Mike Grassi|last=|first=|date=2018|website=PentaCon Event|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 29, 2019}}</ref> Grassi has an older sister, Jessa, and remembers doing singalongs to then-current pop tunes and Christmas songs in homemade variety shows with her, for his parents when he was very young.<ref name=":26" /> His uncle Tony was also "a high tenor and had an incredible range".<ref name=":0" /> He met [[Scott Hoying]], another co-founder of [[Pentatonix]], and his partner in the duo [[Superfruit (duo)|Superfruit]], when he was young.<ref name=":7" /> He also met [[Kirstin Maldonado]], another Pentatonix founder, when he was nine or ten and they were both doing musical theater.<ref name=":26">{{Cite web|url=https://entertainment.ie/music/interview-entertainmentie-speaks-to-us-a-cappella-group-pentatonix-264988/|title=Interview: Entertainment.ie speaks to US a cappella group Pentatonix|last=|first=|date=December 29, 2014|website=Entertainment.ie|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 29, 2019}}</ref> Grassi and Hoying were both active in [[theater arts]] in Arlington and met when they were cast in the musical ''[[Annie (musical)|Annie]];'' they both also play piano.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":14" /> They were "giggly" together but not best friends immediately; they then were split up being sent to different schools for a year and a half, and reunited while performing in ''[[Charlie and the Chocolate Factory]]''.<ref name=":7" /> Though both were still [[closeted]] at the time, they feel they had a subconscious connection, as well as their musical theater interests; Grassi's favorite [[Broadway musical]] is ''[[Rent (musical)|Rent]]'' which features gay characters and actors.<ref name=":7" /> When he was fourteen, Grassi knew he wanted to be a singer and musician, "I want to enrich others' lives with the music I make, because that's what music did for me all my life."<ref name=":19" /> When Grassi was seventeen he was inspired by [[Lady Gaga]] when she came out as part of the [[LGBTQ]] community, and admires her sense of self expression, "That was something I'd always yearned to do because I had always been the weird kid—I always had something, I always wanted to make a point and I always wanted to be an individual."<ref name=":8" /> Grassi briefly dated Hoying at their "arts-oriented" [[Martin High School (Arlington, Texas)|Martin High School]]; both [[openly gay]], they remain best friends.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=https://www.papermag.com/superfruit-pride-1-2582195427.html|title=Superfruit Is On a Mission to Make Queer Music Mainstream|last=Hazlehurst|first=Beatrice|date=July 11, 2018|website=[[Paper (magazine)|Paper]]|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 25, 2019}}</ref><ref name=":21">{{Cite web|url=https://outandaboutnashville.com/the-a-capella-group-that-could/|title=The a capella group that could|last=Brant|first=Joseph|date=April 1, 2016|website=[[Out & About Nashville]]|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 28, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sheknows.com/entertainment/articles/1051555/interview-pentatonix-talk-growing-up-uncool-and-inspiring-fans/|title=Aw! We totally fell in love with Pentatonix while talking about fans and T-Swift covers|last=Kaye|first=Deirdre|date=September 23, 2014|website=SheKnows|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 29, 2019}}</ref> Pentatonix started as a trio, as Grassi, Hoying, and Maldonado had been in choir for most of their high school careers.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web|url=https://chicago.gopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/I459664|title=Pump up the "Volume 1": an interview with Mitch Grassi of Pentatonix|last=Shapiro|first=Gregg|date=February 13, 2013|website=Go Pride Chicago|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 27, 2019}}</ref> Grassi and Maldonado also did [[Community theatre|community theater]] together as well.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsday.com/lifestyle/family/kidsday/pentatonix-kidsday-kirstin-maldonado-1.21474932|title=Kidsday meets Kirstin Maldonado of Pentatonix|last=Almodovar|first=Julia|authorlink=|last2=Zou|first2=Bianca|date=October 4, 2018|website=[[Newsday]]|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 28, 2019|last3=Altebrando|first3=Mirabella|last4=Clasen|first4=Desiree}}</ref> The three quickly put together an [[a cappella]] cover of Lady Gaga's 2010 "[[Telephone (song)|Telephone]]" featuring [[Beyoncé]] to compete in a local radio station contest to meet ''[[Glee (TV series)|Glee]]'' cast members.<ref name=":21" /> They did not win but kept competing and performing, gaining notoriety.<ref name=":21" /> Hoying heard about ''[[The Sing-Off]]'' reality-show competition for a cappella acts; he gained an interest in the genre once in college.<ref name=":26" /><ref name=":21" /> It was the first the three really embraced a cappella.<ref name=":26" /> The show required groups to have five or more members, so they recruited bass vocalist [[Avi Kaplan]] and singer/beat boxer [[Kevin Olusola]].<ref name=":18">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thegazette.com/hoopla/pentatonix-iowa-state-fair-2019-schedule-returning-to-roots-20190815|title=Pentatonix talks returning to roots, coming to Iowa State Fair this Saturday|last=|first=|date=August 15, 2019|website=[[The Gazette (Cedar Rapids)|The Gazette]]|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 27, 2019}}</ref><ref name=Sculley>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thesunchronicle.com/go/pentatonix-has-boldly-gone-beyond-covers-and-into-its-own/article_e998a045-e2c7-57df-aa00-ceb7fa6ee55b.html|title=Pentatonix has boldly gone beyond covers and into its own music|last=Sculley|first=Alan|date=November 2, 2016|website=[[The Sun Chronicle]]|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 28, 2019}}</ref> Grassi skipped high school graduation to audition for 2011's ''The Sing Off''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2011/11/the-sing-off-winner-pentatonix-tunes-out-dartmouth-aires-and-urban-method.html|title='The Sing-Off' winner: Pentatonix tunes out Dartmouth Aires and Urban Method|last=MacKenzie|first=Carina Adly|date=November 28, 2011|work=zap2it.com|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905072543/http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2011/11/the-sing-off-winner-pentatonix-tunes-out-dartmouth-aires-and-urban-method.html|archivedate=September 5, 2012|accessdate=August 25, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> After they won, all relocated to Los Angeles to pursue recording artist careers.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/12/02/the-sing-off-pentatonix-interview/|title='Sing-Off' champs Pentatonix talk competition, their future album, and (of course) Nick Lachey's puns|last=Smith|first=Grady|date=December 2, 2011|work=Entertainment Weekly|accessdate=August 25, 2012|publisher=Inside TV}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/s184/the-sing-off/interviews/a353572/the-sing-off-pentatonix-interview-we-want-mainstream-success.html|title='The Sing-Off' Pentatonix interview: 'We want mainstream success'|last=Still|first=Jennifer|date=November 30, 2011|work=Digital Spy|accessdate=August 25, 2012}}</ref> The main goal of the group was to become the first modern mainstream a cappella group; which they have done.<ref name=":21" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.realitywanted.com/newsitem/4889-the-sing-off-season-3-conference-call-with-pentatonix|title=The Sing Off Season 3: Conference Call With Pentatonix|date=December 2, 2011|work=Reality Wanted|accessdate=August 25, 2012}}</ref> == Pentatonix == Pentatonix is a quintet [[a cappella]] collective, with most of their songs being [[Cover band|covers]], and much of their success comes from touring, including internationally.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":17">{{Cite web|url=https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/trending/a-cappella-group-pentatonix-is-coming-to-singapore-next-february-11972122|title=A cappella group Pentatonix is coming to Singapore next February|last=|first=|date=October 5, 2019|website=CNA Lifestyle|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 27, 2019}}</ref> They gained national attention in the U.S. competing on [[NBC]]'s a cappella reality show ''[[The Sing-Off]]'' in 2011, which they won.<ref name=":6" /> The group got a record label, who dropped them as their audience was too niche—with no guarantee of selling albums, or concert tickets—but Grassi felt it was ultimately advantageous as around late 2012 Pentatonix started posting videos to [[YouTube]] building an international fan base.{{Efn|Having Epic drop them from the label also opened the path for their manager to get them out of their reality show contract.<ref name=Sculley/>}}<ref name=":21" /><ref name=":18" /><ref name=":9">{{Cite web|url=https://coogradio.com/2015/03/pentatonix-brings-the-beat-back-to-bayou-music-center/|title=Pentatonix Brings the Beat Back to Bayou Music Center|last=|first=|date=March 28, 2015|website=Coog Radio|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 27, 2019}}</ref> Pentatonix also released the debut EP, ''[[PTX, Volume 1]]'', on their new label in June 2012, followed by a Christmas EP, ''[[PTXmas]]'' in November.<ref name="Sculley" /> They recorded covers of [[Pop 100|pop 40 hits]] like [[Gotye]]'s "[[Somebody That I Used to Know]]" (2011), [[Psy]]'s "[[Gangnam Style]]" (2012), and [[Fun (band)|Fun]]'s "[[We Are Young]]" (2011).<ref name=":24">{{Cite web|url=https://www.pilotonline.com/entertainment/music/article_731d9b2c-9438-11e8-972b-9bc2c76df2a7.html|title=Pentatonix is bringing its biggest show yet to Virginia Beach|last=Sculley|first=Alan|date=August 3, 2018|website=Pilot Online|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 28, 2019}}</ref> Their big video hit was a November 2013 video doing a medley of [[Daft Punk discography|Daft Punk songs]], it had ten million views in the first week of its release and rose to over 150 million views; as of January 2020 it has over 320 million views.<ref name=":24" /><ref>{{Citation|title=[Official Video] Daft Punk - Pentatonix|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MteSlpxCpo|language=en|access-date=2020-01-03}}</ref> As of March 2015 they had 7.6 million YouTube subscribers, that rose to seventeen million as of October 2019; with over three billion video views.<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":16">{{Cite web|url=https://meaww.com/youre-a-mean-one-mr-grinch-pentatonix-christmas-2019-review-a-cappella-acappella-dr-suess|title=Pentatonix's new video 'You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch' is downright mischievous and ultra-catchy|last=Lotter|first=Judah Charles|date=December 19, 2019|website=Media Entertainment Arts Worldwide|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 27, 2019}}</ref><ref name=":17" /> As of February 2020, they had over 4.4 billion views; they also have two million followers on [[Instagram]], and 3.6 million on [[Facebook]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/pentatonix-promise-fun-show|title=Pentatonix promise fun show|last=Hadi|first=Eddino Abdul|date=January 27, 2020|website=[[The Straits Times]]|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=February 7, 2020}}</ref> They continually release YouTube videos, with nearly every one with more than a million views.<ref name=":14">{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlive.com/entertainment/kalamazoo/2013/04/pentatonix_qa_mitchell_c_grass.html|title=Pentatonix Q&A: Mitchell C. Grassi talks about the group's YouTube success, new album|last=Liberty|first=John|date=April 23, 2013|website=MLive|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 27, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/pentatonix-tears-up-the-charts-1418322119|title=Pentatonix Tears Up the Charts|last=Karp|first=Hannah|date=December 11, 2014|work=[[Wall Street Journal]]|access-date=December 29, 2019|url-status=live|issn=0099-9660}}</ref> They also tour extensively including across North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America—over an estimated forty countries as of December 2016; and have had cameos in shows and movies like ''[[Bones (TV series)|Bones]]'' and ''[[Pitch Perfect 2]]'' (2015); and their own television show, ''A Pentatonix Christmas Special'' (2016).<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gosanangelo.com/story/entertainment/music/2016/12/22/tinseltown-talks-pentatonix-christmas-delivers-holiday-harmony/95737678/|title=Tinseltown Talks: ''A Pentatonix Christmas'' delivers holiday harmony|last=Thomas|first=Nick|date=December 22, 2016|website=[[San Angelo]]|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 28, 2019}}</ref><ref name=":20">{{Cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/avi-kaplan-leave-pentatonix-reason-explained/|title=Avi Kaplan's Decision To Leave Pentatonix Explained|last=Armitage|first=Helen|date=September 18, 2019|website=[[ScreenRant]]|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 27, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mcall.com/entertainment/lehigh-valley-music/mc-ent-pentatonix-interview-ppl-center-allentown-20190604-wgk53vmk2jcylp7kfqdedvgpyi-story.html|title=Pentatonix, playing PPL Center tonight, looking forward to bringing more new music, less rain to Allentown|last=Moser|first=John J.|date=June 4, 2019|website=[[The Morning Call|Morning Call]]|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 28, 2019}}</ref> As of December 2019, Pentatonix has released eleven albums, ten of which reached the Top Ten on the [[Billboard 200]], all combined selling ten million albums—including two number one albums, and five of [[Christmas music]]—and have had four songs in the [[Billboard Hot 100]], and won three [[Grammy Award|Grammy awards]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nepascene.com/2019/09/multi-platinum-a-cappella-group-pentatonix-brings-christmas-tour-giant-center-hershey-dec-12/|title=Multi-platinum a cappella group Pentatonix brings Christmas Tour to Giant Center in Hershey on Dec. 12|last=|first=|date=September 16, 2019|website=NEPA Scene|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 27, 2019}}</ref><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":15">{{Cite web|url=https://www.willmarradio.com/q102/music_news/home-for-the-holidays-pentatonix-reveals-favorite-christmas-traditions/article_fbd7024f-8fbd-5c75-a59b-5289e6541a7e.html|title=Home for the holidays: Pentatonix reveals favorite Christmas traditions|last=|first=|date=December 24, 2019|website=Willmar Radio|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 27, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pennlive.com/life/2019/12/pentatonix-performs-at-hersheys-giant-center-photo-gallery.html|title=Pentatonix performs at Hershey's Giant Center|last=Briner|first=Vicki Vellios|date=December 13, 2019|website=Penn Live|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 27, 2019}}</ref> Their three Grammy wins were for their: [[Daft Punk]] medley tribute to the French electronic music duo (2015); version of [[Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky]]'s "[[Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy]]" (2016); [[Jolene (song)|Jolene]] collaboration with [[Dolly Parton]] (2017).<ref name=":20" /> In addition to their regular tours, they utilize their extensive holiday music for [[Christmas and holiday season|Christmastime]] tours.<ref name=":15" /> Their ''[[That's Christmas to Me]]'' (2014) is the highest-charting Christmas album by a group of two or more since 1962.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://heavy.com/entertainment/2014/12/pentatonix-top-best-christmas-album-music-2014-a-cappella-group/|title=Pentatonix: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know|last=Barbuti|first=Angela|date=December 4, 2014|website=[[Heavy.com|Heavy]]|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 29, 2019}}</ref> The individual members find inspiration to cover recent songs, as well as international classics, then if they decide as a group it is a good match, they compose an [[arrangement]]; their friend Ben Bram, who is also their producer, is their co-arranger.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":21" /><ref name=":10" /> Grassi is influenced by [[electronic music]]; his dream mentor, and single biggest influence is [[Imogen Heap]].<ref name=":10" /><ref name=":19" /> Although they are known for their covers and re-arranged popular songs, the band released their first album, [[Pentatonix (album)|''Pentatonix'']], in October 2015, and it was all original music; it also marked the first time an a cappella group had the top album on the Billboard 200 album chart.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.popdust.com/pentatonix-ticket-prices-reflect-groups-growing-popularity-resale-pric-1892464538.html|title=Pentatonix Ticket Prices Reflect Group's Growing Popularity; Resale Prices Averaging Over $100 Before Tour Launch|last=Webb|first=Joe|date=March 21, 2016|website=Popdust|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 29, 2019}}</ref> Their sold-out North American tour that year was documented in the movie, ''[[On My Way Home Tour|On My Way Home]].''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6605502/pentatonix-on-my-way-home-movie-interview|title=Pentatonix Talk 'On My Way Home' Movie & What Scene Makes Them 'Tear Up Every Single Time'|last=Bronson|first=Fred|date=June 19, 2015|website=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 29, 2019}}</ref> Grassi noted he and Hoying both being openly gay has been appreciated by the group's fans; a common demographic is midwesterners and Christians who comment that the pair have helped them accept their LGBTQ children.<ref name=":8" /> == Superfruit == [[File:Mitch Grassi and Scott Hoying of Superfruit - Photo by Peter Dzubay.png|thumb|[[Scott Hoying]] and Grassi, seen here in November 2014, make up [[Superfruit (duo)|Superfruit]].]] Grassi and [[Scott Hoying]], lifelong friends, [[Vlogging|vlogged]] skits, comedy videos, and duets to YouTube quickly gaining a following; after hundreds of videos they saw the music ones were the most liked so created [[Superfruit (duo)|Superfruit]].<ref name=":6" /> Some of their viral videos include: ''[[Frozen (2013 film)|Frozen]]'' medley (with more than thirteen million views as of April 2016) '';'' an "Evolution of [[Miley Cyrus]]" (12.8 million) and a ''[[Beyoncé (album)|Beyoncé]]'' album medley (with over twelve million).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fuse.tv/2016/04/superfruit-anti-medley-rihanna-cover-pentatonix|title=Pentatonix's Mitch & Scott Tackle Rihanna's 'Anti'|last=Benjamin|first=Jeff|last2=|date=April 12, 2016|website=[[Fuse (TV channel)|Fuse]]|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 27, 2019|last3=}}</ref> According to Hoying, ''Superfruit'' "came from Mitch's random mind".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/Scomiche/posts/344931492378766?comment_id=344943079044274&reply_comment_id=344951525710096|title=mitch's random mind|date=13 March 2015|publisher=Superfruit|via=Facebook|access-date=13 March 2015}}</ref> Hoying noted, "Our first rule with starting Superfruit was: This is for fun, ... This is to be free and do whatever we want. So, let's write stories that we want to write, let's make videos that we want to make, let's not put limitations on it. And not care so much about calculating it to where we think it might be more successful ... And I think that's why it feels so good to the fans."<ref name=":22" /> The first Superfruit video was released on August 13, 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Odb1UCQiDZ4|title=An Intro to Superfruit|date=13 August 2013|publisher=Superfruit|via=YouTube|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140815170324/http://www.youtube.com//watch?v=Odb1UCQiDZ4|archive-date=2014-08-15|access-date=13 March 2015|df=}}</ref> Navigating Pentatonix versus the duo's projects and touring schedules was simplified by the quintet's rule that the larger groups' commitments come first.<ref name=":6" /> Grassi feels Superfruit is raunchier, "more gay-friendly and a lot more open, more sexual, more liberated".<ref name=":8" /> They started to incorporate original music into the project, starting in 2016.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web|url=https://goqnotes.com/60807/superfruit-is-ready-to-party-down-at-charlotte-pride/|title=Superfruit is ready to party down at Charlotte Pride|last=Taylor|first=Jeff|date=August 10, 2018|website=QNotes|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 28, 2019}}</ref> Superfruit's first EP, [[Future Friends - Part One|''Future Friends, Part One'']], was released in June 2017, [[Future Friends - Part Two|''Part Two'']] in September 2017, followed by a full-length album [[Future Friends|of the same name]].<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/7841065/pentatonix-mitch-grassi-scott-hoying-friendship-interview|title=Pentatonix's Mitch Grassi and Scott Hoying Talk Friendship: 'Even While We Were in the Closet, There Was Still That Comfortability'|last=Goetzman|first=Jacey|date=June 21, 2017|website=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 25, 2019}}</ref><ref name=":22" /><ref name=":25" /> The EP's concept is that a friendship can run even deeper than any romantic component.<ref name=":22" /> They wrote with songwriters and producers collaborators including [[Robopop]], [[Justin Tranter]], and [[John Hill (record producer)|John Hill]]; and produced videos for each song.<ref name=":22" /> The album won critical acclaim and rose to ninth place on the [[Billboard 200]] album chart.<ref name=":22" /> Superfruit's debut video for ''Future Friends'', "Imaginary Parties", was noted by ''[[InStyle]]'' for the bold fashions that their stylist Candice McAndrews helped them secure.<ref name=":25" /> McAndrews has worked with Pentatonix since the beginning as well.<ref name=":25">{{Cite web|url=https://www.instyle.com/news/superfruit-stylist-candice-lambert-interview|title=You'll Want to Dress Just Like This New Super-Cute Male Pop Duo|last=Borge|first=Jonathan|date=July 20, 2017|website=[[InStyle]]|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 28, 2019}}</ref> She used [[Gucci]] and [[Balenciaga]] to elevate with high-fashion inspiration and "a pop art approach to their look".<ref name=":25" /> Grassi wears ninety percent women's clothing, and is enthusiastic to express a more feminine side; he feels "clothing is genderless. It's all about expression and feeling and the art of it."<ref name=":25" /> McAndrews shared that a Superfruit fitting will have seven to nine racks of clothing for each, including designers "[[Alexander Wang (designer)|Alexander Wang]], [[Loewe (fashion brand)|Loewe]], [[Vetements]] , [[Haider Ackermann]], [[Raf Simons]], and [[Maison Margiela]]".<ref name=":25" /> == Public appearance == Grassi has become known for being [[fashion]] forward and adventurous; he feels "self expression, especially through fashion is so important" for him.<ref name=":8" /> He explains he has a "totally [[Avant-garde|avant garde]] interest in art, fashion and music", and a duality with Pentatonix to respect the business and fan base at same time.<ref name=":8" /> He is inspired by "late '80s, early '90s", and interested in vintage [[Martin Margiela]], a [[Belgium]] fashion designer; and [[Demna Gvasalia]], a French designer, and creative director of [[Balenciaga]] and [[Vetements]].<ref name=":8" /> == Personal life == Grassi is [[openly gay]]; [[Out (magazine)|''Out'']] readers voted him the second-most eligible gay [[bachelor]] behind [[Adam Lambert]] in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ontopmag.com/article/27033/Adam_Lambert_Voted_OUTs_Most_Eligible_Bachelor_Mitch_Grassi_Nik_Thakkar_In_Top_5|title=Adam Lambert Voted OUT's Most Eligible Bachelor; Mitch Grassi, Nik Thakkar In Top 5|last=|first=|date=March 4, 2017|website=[[On Top (magazine)|On Top]]|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 27, 2019}}</ref> He is known for playing with gender expression, such as wearing a dress and heels,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Logios|first=Owen|date=2018-05-11|title=Superfruit's Mitch Grassi taught me to love my trans identity|url=https://www.glaad.org/amp/mitch-grassi-superfruit-taught-me-to-love-my-trans-identity|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-11-26|website=GLAAD|language=en}}</ref> and has stated that he accepts both he/him and she/her pronouns.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Grassi|first=Mitch|date=Aug 9, 2015|title="@lexiejewels don't mind he/him or she/her not picky"|url=https://twitter.com/mitchgrassi/status/630254789880754176|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-11-26|website=Twitter|language=en}}</ref> In 2018 Grassi bought a house above [[Mulholland Drive]] in the Hollywood Hills for $1.73 million; the single-story, two bedroom home includes views of [[Griffith Park]] and the [[Hollywood Sign|Hollywood sign]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=|first=|last2=|last3=|first3=|last4=|last5=|last6=|last7=|last8=|first8=|last9=|date=2020-07-06|title=Pentatonix’s Mitch Grassi floats scenic Hollywood Hills home for sale|url=https://www.latimes.com/business/real-estate/story/2020-07-06/pentatonixs-mitch-grassi-floats-scenic-hollywood-hills-home-for-sale|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-07-10|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref> To address not being able to record as a group because of the [[COVID-19 pandemic|COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic]], Pentatonix's label, [[RCA Records]], financed in-home studios for each member.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|last2=Lipshutz|first2=Jason|date=August 11, 2020|title=Pentatonix’s Kirstin Maldonado & Kevin Olusola Share Their Quarantined Recording Process — And What’s Next for the Group|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/podcasts/9432715/pentatonix-kirstin-maldonado-kevin-olusola-quarantine-recording-process-pop-shop-podcast|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=August 12, 2020|website=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref> He put it up for sale in 2020.<ref name=":3" /> During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Grassi noted his [[veganism]] was vital to his self care, and that [[marijuana]] was the one item he would ensure to have with him.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Meet The Artist: Pentatonix's Mitch Grassi On Self-Care In Quarantine And Bruce Springsteen|url=http://www.oystermag.com/2020/05/meet-the-artist-pentatonixs-mitch-grassi-on-self-care-in-quarantine-and-bruce-springsteen/|last=Weiss|first=Alexandra|date=May 1, 2020|website=[[Oyster Magazine]]|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=May 1, 2020}}</ref> == Awards and nominations == === World Choreography Awards === {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |- ! Year ! Category ! Work ! Result ! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- | 2017 | Best Choreography in a Music Video | Sweet Life | {{Won}} | <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://worldchoreographyawards.com/|title=World Choreography Awards|website=worldchoreographyawards.com|access-date=2017-09-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919020025/http://worldchoreographyawards.com/|archive-date=2017-09-19|url-status=live|df=}}</ref> |} {| class="wikitable" |+ [[Daytime Emmy Award]]s |- ! style="width:5%;"|Year ! style="width:20%;"|Category ! style="width:20%;"|Work ! style="width:5%;"|Result ! style="width:2.5%;"|{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[44th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards|2017]] | style="text-align:center;"| [[Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program|Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program]] | style="text-align:center;"| "[[A Pentatonix Christmas|God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen]]" on ''[[Rachael Ray (TV series)|Rachael Ray]]'' | {{nom}} | style="text-align:center;"|<ref name="NATAS 2017">{{cite web|title=The 44th Annual Daytime Emmy Award Nominations |url=http://cdn.emmyonline.org/day_44th_nominations_v02.pdf |publisher=emmyonline.org and [[National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences]] |accessdate=March 22, 2017 |date=March 22, 2017|format=PDF|location=New York City}}</ref> |} {| class="wikitable" |+ [[Grammy Award]]s |- ! style="width:5%;"|Year ! style="width:20%;"|Category ! style="width:20%;"|Work ! style="width:5%;"|Result ! style="width:2.5%;"|{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[57th Grammy Awards|2015]] | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| [[Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement|Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella]] | style="text-align:center;"|"Daft Punk" | {{Won}} | style="text-align:center;"|<ref name="Grammy">{{cite news|title= Grammy Awards Winners|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/grammy-awards-2015-the-complete-winners-list-20150208/|accessdate=February 8, 2015}}</ref> |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[58th Grammy Awards|2016]] | style="text-align:center;"|"Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" | {{Won}} | style="text-align:center;"|<ref name="Grammy2">{{cite news|title= Grammy Awards 2016: See the Full Winners List |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/grammys/6875260/grammy-awards-2016-full-winners-list/|accessdate=December 10, 2016}}</ref> |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[59th Grammy Awards|2017]] | style="text-align:center;"| [[Grammy Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance|Best Country Duo/Group Performance]] | style="text-align:center;"|"[[Jolene (song)|Jolene]]" (ft. [[Dolly Parton]]) | {{Won}} | style="text-align:center;"|<ref name="Grammy3">{{cite web |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-grammys-live-updates-dolly-parton-and-pentatonix-win-country-1486939222-htmlstory.html |title=Dolly Parton and Pentatonix win country duo/roup performance for 'Jolene' |last=Roberts |first=Randall |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |publisher=[[Tronc]] |date=February 12, 2017 |accessdate=May 14, 2018 }}</ref> |- |} {| class="wikitable" |+ [[Streamy Awards]] |- ! style="width:5%;"|Year ! style="width:20%;"|Category ! style="width:20%;"|Work ! style="width:5%;"|Result ! style="width:2.5%;"|{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="3"| 2014 | style="text-align:center;"| Best Cover Song | style="text-align:center;"| "Daft Punk" | {{won}} | style="text-align:center;"|<ref name="Streamy Awards Winners">{{cite news|title= Streamy Awards Winners|url=http://www.streamys.org/2014/09/winners-announced-4th-annual-streamy-awards-presented-coca-cola/|accessdate=December 10, 2014}}</ref> |- | style="text-align:center;"| Best Original Song | style="text-align:center;"| "Love Again" | {{Nom}} | style="text-align:center;"|<ref name="Streamy Awards Winners" /> |- | style="text-align:center;"| Best Musical Artist | style="text-align:center;"| Pentatonix | {{Nom}} | style="text-align:center;"|<ref name="Streamy Awards Winners" /> |- | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| 2015 | style="text-align:center;"| Best Collaboration | style="text-align:center;"| Pentatonix and [[Lindsey Stirling]] | {{Nom}} | style="text-align:center;"|<ref name="5th Annual Streamy Awards Nominees">{{cite news|title= Streamy Awards Winners|url=http://www.streamys.org/nominees-winners/5th-annual-nominees-winners/|accessdate=August 20, 2015}}</ref> |- | style="text-align:center;"| Best Cover Song | style="text-align:center;"| "Evolution of Michael Jackson" | {{Nom}} | style="text-align:center;"|<ref name="5th Annual Streamy Awards Nominees" /> |} {| class="wikitable" |+ [[YouTube Music Awards]] |- ! style="width:5%;"|Year ! style="width:20%;"|Category ! style="width:20%;"|Work ! style="width:5%;"|Result ! style="width:2.5%;"|{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[2013 YouTube Music Awards|2013]] | style="text-align:center;"| Response of the Year | style="text-align:center;"| "[[Radioactive (Imagine Dragons song)|Radioactive]]" (with [[Lindsey Stirling]]) | {{won}} | style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite news |first= Korina |last= Lopez |date= November 4, 2013 |title= YouTube Music Awards winners list |url= https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/11/04/youtube-music-awards-winners-list/3433155/ |newspaper= [[USA Today]] |accessdate= December 5, 2014 }}</ref> |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[2015 YouTube Music Awards|2015]] | style="text-align:center;"| Artist of the Year | style="text-align:center;"| Pentatonix | {{won}} | style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite news |title= YouTube Music Awards winners list |url= http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/youtube-music-awards-2015-beyonce-778520 |accessdate= March 27, 2015 }}</ref> |} {| class="wikitable" |+ [[Shorty Awards]] |- ! style="width:5%;"|Year ! style="width:20%;"|Category ! style="width:20%;"|Work ! style="width:5%;"|Result ! style="width:2.5%;"|{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- | style="text-align:center;"| 2015 | style="text-align:center;"| Best YouTube Musician | style="text-align:center;"| Pentatonix | {{Won}} | style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite news|title= Pentatonix accepts the Best YouTube Musician Shorty Award |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AufanlPnzXM|accessdate= April 20, 2015 }}</ref> |} {| class="wikitable" |- |+ [[Billboard Music Award|''Billboard'' Music Awards]] ! style="width:5%;"|Year ! style="width:20%;"|Category ! style="width:20%;"|Work ! style="width:5%;"|Result ! style="width:2.5%;"|{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | [[2015 Billboard Music Awards|2015]] | style="text-align:center;"| Top Billboard 200 Album | style="text-align:center;"| ''[[That's Christmas to Me]]'' | {{Nom}} | style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite news|title= Top billboard 200 album finalists |url= https://twitter.com/OfficialBBMAs/status/585526260085886976 |accessdate= April 9, 2015 }}</ref> |- | style="text-align:center;"| Top Billboard 200 Artist | style="text-align:center;"| Pentatonix | {{Nom}} | style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite news |title= Top billboard 200 artist finalists |url= https://twitter.com/OfficialBBMAs/status/585536817828466688 |accessdate= April 9, 2015 }}</ref> |} {| class="wikitable" |+ [[Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards]] |- ! style="width:5%;"|Year ! style="width:20%;"|Category ! style="width:20%;"|Work ! style="width:5%;"|Result ! style="width:2.5%;"|{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[2016 Kids' Choice Awards|2016]] | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| [[Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Music Group|Favorite Music Group]] | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| Pentatonix |{{Nom}} | style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite web|title = Host Blake Shelton, Pentatonix nominated for Nickelodeon's 2016 Kids' Choice Awards|url = http://newsok.com/article/5476349|website = NewsOK.com|accessdate = February 4, 2016}}</ref> |- |style="text-align:center;"| [[2017 Kids' Choice Awards|2017]] |{{nom}} |<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kca.nick.tv/vote#cat=Favorite-Music-Group|title=2017 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards|publisher=Nickelodeon|access-date=February 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205090400/http://kca.nick.tv/vote#cat=Favorite-Music-Group|archive-date=February 5, 2017|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> |} {| class="wikitable" |+ [[IHeartRadio Music Awards]] |- ! style="width:5%;"|Year ! style="width:20%;"|Category ! style="width:20%;"|Work ! style="width:5%;"|Result ! style="width:2.5%;"|{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[3rd iHeartRadio Music Awards|2016]] | style="text-align:center;"| Best Cover Song | style="text-align:center;"| [[Cheerleader (song)|"Cheerleader"]] |{{Nom}} | style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{Cite web|title = 2016 iHeartRadio Music Awards Nominees Revealed! {{!}} iHeartRadio|url = http://news.iheart.com/articles/iheartradio-music-awards-490103/2016-iheartradio-music-awards-nominees-revealed-14362338/|website = iHeartRadio|accessdate = February 14, 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160210155050/http://news.iheart.com/articles/iheartradio-music-awards-490103/2016-iheartradio-music-awards-nominees-revealed-14362338/|archive-date = February 10, 2016|url-status = dead|df = mdy-all}}</ref> |} {| class="wikitable" |+ [[Webby Award]]s |- ! style="width:5%;"|Year ! style="width:20%;"|Category ! style="width:20%;"|Work ! style="width:5%;"|Result ! style="width:2.5%;"|{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- | style="text-align:center;"| 2016 | style="text-align:center;"| Video Remixes/Mashups | style="text-align:center;"| Evolution of Michael Jackson |{{Nom}} | style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{Cite web|title = Tyler Oakley, Pentatonix, and more lead Webby nominations {{!}} DailyDot|url = http://www.dailydot.com/entertainment/webby-nominees-2016/|website = DailyDot|accessdate = April 5, 2016}}</ref> |} ==References== {{Notes}} {{Reflist}} {{Pentatonix}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Grassi, Mitch}} [[Category:1992 births]] [[Category:American tenors]] [[Category:Countertenors]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:People from Arlington, Texas]] [[Category:American singer-songwriters]] [[Category:American male singer-songwriters]] [[Category:LGBT singers from the United States]] [[Category:LGBT people from Texas]] [[Category:Gay musicians]] [[Category:Pentatonix members]]'