Spoiler Alert: Do not read ahead if you have not watched the Season 9, episode 13 of “The Masked Singer,” which aired May 10 on Fox.
Pentatonix is pretty easy to recognize, as perhaps the best-known a cappella group performing today. So from the start, it was pretty easy to tell it was them on “The Masked Singer” – and indeed, the five-person group was unmasked as California Roll on Thursday’s show, which also doubled as the Season 9 semifinals.
For their first song, “Paparazzi,” group member Scott Hoying said they tried to avoid doing any harmonies at first, “so we could hide the iconic Pentatonix harmony sound for at least a minute. For the first minute, I was trying to really change my voice. But it didn’t work, because every comment on every video was like, ‘I knew from the beginning it was Pentatonix and I was confirmed as soon as they all came in.
Pentatonix is pretty easy to recognize, as perhaps the best-known a cappella group performing today. So from the start, it was pretty easy to tell it was them on “The Masked Singer” – and indeed, the five-person group was unmasked as California Roll on Thursday’s show, which also doubled as the Season 9 semifinals.
For their first song, “Paparazzi,” group member Scott Hoying said they tried to avoid doing any harmonies at first, “so we could hide the iconic Pentatonix harmony sound for at least a minute. For the first minute, I was trying to really change my voice. But it didn’t work, because every comment on every video was like, ‘I knew from the beginning it was Pentatonix and I was confirmed as soon as they all came in.
- 5/11/2023
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
Following the departure of bass vocalist Avi Kaplan from YouTube supergroup Pentatonix in May, fans of the a cappella quintet were treated to their first glimpse at new member Matt Sallee in action yesterday with the official music video for 'Deck The Halls'.
'Deck The Halls', which has already amassed more than one million views and is currently sitting at No. 9 atop YouTube’s trending feed, also served to celebrate the group’s NBC special yesterday evening, A Very Pentatonix Christmas. Additionally, the track is featured on A Pentatonix Christmas Album Deluxe -- a re-release of the 2016 album in which the group performs holiday classics with their signature upbeat spin. While Sallee, who is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music, has previously performed with Pentatonix at live gigs, 'Deck The Halls' marks his official debut on the group’s YouTube channel, which counts 14 million subscribers.
'Deck The Halls', which has already amassed more than one million views and is currently sitting at No. 9 atop YouTube’s trending feed, also served to celebrate the group’s NBC special yesterday evening, A Very Pentatonix Christmas. Additionally, the track is featured on A Pentatonix Christmas Album Deluxe -- a re-release of the 2016 album in which the group performs holiday classics with their signature upbeat spin. While Sallee, who is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music, has previously performed with Pentatonix at live gigs, 'Deck The Halls' marks his official debut on the group’s YouTube channel, which counts 14 million subscribers.
- 11/28/2017
- by Geoff Weiss
- Tubefilter.com
This is Deck The Halls as you’ve never seen it performed before — in a new video just released by Pentatonix. The video for the amazing cover version of the classic song comes as the a cappella group’s holiday special, A Very Pentatonix Christmas, airs tonight on NBC. The one-hour festive celebration sees the group from Arlington, Texas, including new member Matt Sallee — who replaced Avi Kaplan — being joined by a string of stars including Jennifer Hudson, Jay Leno, and America’s Got Talent winner Darci Lynne Farmer. During the special the group perform a rendition of How Great Thou Art with...read more...
- 11/27/2017
- by Julian Cheatle
- Monsters and Critics
It's been five months since Avi Kaplan, the founding bass singer of Pentatonix, decided to step away from the popular a cappella group. The Pentatonix YouTube channel, which has more than 13 million subscribers, has been quiet since then, but with the holiday season fast approaching, the musical quintet has now added a new member to its ranks. Matt Sallee will join Pentatonix as its bass voice for both an upcoming wintertime tour and a new album called A Pentatonix Christmas Deluxe.
Sallee, a graduate of the Berklee College of Music, will take over Kaplan's position in the lowest register of Pentatonix's range. The group, whose other members are Kirstie Maldonado, Kevin Olusola, Scott Hoying, and Mitch Grassi, welcomed its new addition into the fold with an Instagram post. "We love Matt and we think you’ll love him too," it reads.
Pentatonix fans will get their first chance to check...
Sallee, a graduate of the Berklee College of Music, will take over Kaplan's position in the lowest register of Pentatonix's range. The group, whose other members are Kirstie Maldonado, Kevin Olusola, Scott Hoying, and Mitch Grassi, welcomed its new addition into the fold with an Instagram post. "We love Matt and we think you’ll love him too," it reads.
Pentatonix fans will get their first chance to check...
- 10/18/2017
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
Pentatonix are turning the page after band member Avi Kaplan’s recent departure.
Kaplan revealed he would be “taking a step back” from the a cappella group after six years during a tearful video posted to Facebook on May 12. But Penatonix are taking a leap forward — to find a new bass vocalist.
“We’ll have to find a new bass,” Maldonado tells People Now when asked where the band stands without Kaplan. “There are five of us, so that’s a fifth that’s gone.”
She adds, “We just want everyone to be happy.”
With the support of his band mates Scott Hoying,...
Kaplan revealed he would be “taking a step back” from the a cappella group after six years during a tearful video posted to Facebook on May 12. But Penatonix are taking a leap forward — to find a new bass vocalist.
“We’ll have to find a new bass,” Maldonado tells People Now when asked where the band stands without Kaplan. “There are five of us, so that’s a fifth that’s gone.”
She adds, “We just want everyone to be happy.”
With the support of his band mates Scott Hoying,...
- 8/9/2017
- by Nicole Sands
- PEOPLE.com
After serving as the bass vocalist in Pentatonix for the last six years, Avi Kaplan is finding his own voice.
In May, the 28-year-old told the world he was stepping back from whirlwind grind of the multi Grammy-winning a cappella group in order to get back in touch with his family—and himself. The breather yielded an Ep in May, Sage and Stone, and also a bluegrass cover of Outkast’s “Hey Ya!” with his new solo outfit, Avriel & the Sequoias, Their “folk Americana” tinged work draws from the acoustic singer-songwriters who first inspired Kaplan as a young nature boy growing up in Central California,...
In May, the 28-year-old told the world he was stepping back from whirlwind grind of the multi Grammy-winning a cappella group in order to get back in touch with his family—and himself. The breather yielded an Ep in May, Sage and Stone, and also a bluegrass cover of Outkast’s “Hey Ya!” with his new solo outfit, Avriel & the Sequoias, Their “folk Americana” tinged work draws from the acoustic singer-songwriters who first inspired Kaplan as a young nature boy growing up in Central California,...
- 7/22/2017
- by Jordan Runtagh
- PEOPLE.com
Former Pentatonix Singer Avi Kaplan Delivers Cooler Than Cool Bluegrass Cover of Outkast’s ‘Hey Ya!’
Avi Kaplan announced that he was stepping back from Pentatonix in May, but now he’s back with his new solo project—Avriel & the Sequoias—and a new cover of a modern pop classic. Kaplan and Co. have served up a “cooler than cool” bluegrass version of Outkast’s “Hey Ya!” and People has an exclusive first look.
According to the 28-year-old vocal powerhouse, the idea to makeover the 2003 Speakerboxxx/The Love Below hit has been brewing for quite some time. “I had heard this folky version of “Hey Ya!”—like a slowed down acoustic version—a really long time ago on YouTube,...
According to the 28-year-old vocal powerhouse, the idea to makeover the 2003 Speakerboxxx/The Love Below hit has been brewing for quite some time. “I had heard this folky version of “Hey Ya!”—like a slowed down acoustic version—a really long time ago on YouTube,...
- 7/21/2017
- by Jordan Runtagh
- PEOPLE.com
Kirstin Maldonado knows you can’t pronounce her name, but she feels her new solo moniker won’t cause as much confusion.
“My real name is so long and no one can really say it correctly, so I figured I would try to make it short and sweet,” the singer, 25, told People.
Maldonado, the lone female member of a cappella group Pentatonix, is currently launching her own solo career, introducing fans to an intimate side of herself — and, of course, to a new name: kirstin™.
“Hopefully we can just stick to one name and people get it,” she said.
The...
“My real name is so long and no one can really say it correctly, so I figured I would try to make it short and sweet,” the singer, 25, told People.
Maldonado, the lone female member of a cappella group Pentatonix, is currently launching her own solo career, introducing fans to an intimate side of herself — and, of course, to a new name: kirstin™.
“Hopefully we can just stick to one name and people get it,” she said.
The...
- 6/21/2017
- by Benjamin VanHoose
- PEOPLE.com
Kirstin Maldonado is breaking out.
The Pentatonix singer sat down with Et's Denny Directo for a Facebook Live on Friday to discuss her debut solo single, "Break a Little," as well as the future of the a capella group, a week after bandmate Avi Kaplan announced his departure last week.
"We're not broken up," the 25-year-old singer confirmed. "Honestly, we just want the best for each other ... We've been a family for the past 6 years, and we're all just taking new chapters as it comes, as life changes, as life comes at us."
More: Pentatonix's Kirstin Maldonado Releases First Solo Single -- Listen to 'Break a Little'!
For Maldonado, that means exploring a new side of herself through her solo project.
I fulfill a part of myself in Pentatonix," she explained. "And then, we can all step away individually, and do the specific things we like, because we're all so different in musical tastes."
Watch the video...
The Pentatonix singer sat down with Et's Denny Directo for a Facebook Live on Friday to discuss her debut solo single, "Break a Little," as well as the future of the a capella group, a week after bandmate Avi Kaplan announced his departure last week.
"We're not broken up," the 25-year-old singer confirmed. "Honestly, we just want the best for each other ... We've been a family for the past 6 years, and we're all just taking new chapters as it comes, as life changes, as life comes at us."
More: Pentatonix's Kirstin Maldonado Releases First Solo Single -- Listen to 'Break a Little'!
For Maldonado, that means exploring a new side of herself through her solo project.
I fulfill a part of myself in Pentatonix," she explained. "And then, we can all step away individually, and do the specific things we like, because we're all so different in musical tastes."
Watch the video...
- 5/19/2017
- Entertainment Tonight
Pentatonix singer Kirstin Maldonado has officially gone solo!
The 25-year-old artist released her first solo single, titled "Break a Little," on Friday. The song is the first of new music from her upcoming debut Ep which will arrive this summer via RCA Records.
Rebranding herself as kirstin™, the news comes after fans speculated the possibility of a solo project since last week's release of Helena Legend's "Dose of You," which featured the Grammy Award-winning artist's vocals.
Watch: Singer Avi Kaplan Leaves Pentatonix -- Watch His Emotional Goodbye Video
"Break a Little" is a total 180 from Maldonado's music with the a cappella group. Described as an electro-pop sound, the single is "an emotional, yet reaffirming track, as the chorus breaks out into a dance-y, infectious beat while the singer declares, 'Every time I see your face, I break a little.'"
"I'm so proud of 'Break a Little,'" Maldonado said in a statement. "I always...
The 25-year-old artist released her first solo single, titled "Break a Little," on Friday. The song is the first of new music from her upcoming debut Ep which will arrive this summer via RCA Records.
Rebranding herself as kirstin™, the news comes after fans speculated the possibility of a solo project since last week's release of Helena Legend's "Dose of You," which featured the Grammy Award-winning artist's vocals.
Watch: Singer Avi Kaplan Leaves Pentatonix -- Watch His Emotional Goodbye Video
"Break a Little" is a total 180 from Maldonado's music with the a cappella group. Described as an electro-pop sound, the single is "an emotional, yet reaffirming track, as the chorus breaks out into a dance-y, infectious beat while the singer declares, 'Every time I see your face, I break a little.'"
"I'm so proud of 'Break a Little,'" Maldonado said in a statement. "I always...
- 5/19/2017
- Entertainment Tonight
Pentatonix is no longer a quintet, with singer Avi Kaplan announcing plans to leave the a cappella vocal group of which he’s been a part for six successful years. Surrounded by the rest of the group, Kaplan made the announcement in a Facebook video, explaining that his decision to leave is something he’s been struggling with for awhile. […]...
- 5/12/2017
- by Brent Furdyk
- ET Canada
Pentatonix may now be down to four.
Member Avi Kaplan has announced that he will be “taking a step back” from the a cappella group in a tearful video posted to Facebook on Friday afternoon. Flanked by his fellow band mates Scott Hoying, Mitch Grassi, Kirstin Maldonado, and Kevin Olusola, the singer revealed that he’s been grappling with the choice for a long time—calling it the “one of the toughest decisions I’ve had to make in my entire life”—and thanked fans for the years of support. “It far surpassed anything I could have ever dreamed for my life.
Member Avi Kaplan has announced that he will be “taking a step back” from the a cappella group in a tearful video posted to Facebook on Friday afternoon. Flanked by his fellow band mates Scott Hoying, Mitch Grassi, Kirstin Maldonado, and Kevin Olusola, the singer revealed that he’s been grappling with the choice for a long time—calling it the “one of the toughest decisions I’ve had to make in my entire life”—and thanked fans for the years of support. “It far surpassed anything I could have ever dreamed for my life.
- 5/12/2017
- by Jordan Runtagh
- PEOPLE.com
Avi Kaplan is saying goodbye to Pentatonix.
The 28-year-old singer announced via Facebook on Friday that he would be leaving the group after six years.
Exclusive: Pentatonix’s Scott and Mitch on Breaking Records With Dolly Parton, ‘Weirder’ New Christmas Album
In a video with the remaining members of Pentatonix, Kaplan explained that he has struggled to keep up with the a cappella group's busy schedule, and would like to spend more time at home with family and friends.
"This morning, I announced that I will be taking a step back from Ptx," Kaplan wrote in the accompanying Facebook post. "I’ve struggled with this decision a lot. It has been the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make in my life. Before I explain why, I want you all to know that the past 6 years have been the most unbelievable years of my life. The things we’ve accomplished, the places...
The 28-year-old singer announced via Facebook on Friday that he would be leaving the group after six years.
Exclusive: Pentatonix’s Scott and Mitch on Breaking Records With Dolly Parton, ‘Weirder’ New Christmas Album
In a video with the remaining members of Pentatonix, Kaplan explained that he has struggled to keep up with the a cappella group's busy schedule, and would like to spend more time at home with family and friends.
"This morning, I announced that I will be taking a step back from Ptx," Kaplan wrote in the accompanying Facebook post. "I’ve struggled with this decision a lot. It has been the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make in my life. Before I explain why, I want you all to know that the past 6 years have been the most unbelievable years of my life. The things we’ve accomplished, the places...
- 5/12/2017
- Entertainment Tonight
Avi Kaplan, a bass vocalist for Pentatonix -- one of the most popular music channels on all of YouTube -- announced today that he is "taking a step back" from the six-year-old a cappella group.
“It has been the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make in my life,” the 28-year-old explained in a Facebook post, noting that "the things we’ve accomplished, the places we’ve seen, the people we’ve touched with our music…It surpasses anything that I could have ever dreamed up for my life."
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“It has been the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make in my life,” the 28-year-old explained in a Facebook post, noting that "the things we’ve accomplished, the places we’ve seen, the people we’ve touched with our music…It surpasses anything that I could have ever dreamed up for my life."
Visit Tubefilter for more great stories.
- 5/12/2017
- by Geoff Weiss
- Tubefilter.com
[[tmz:video id="0_2s5q6ziq"]] And then there were four ... Five-person a capella group Pentatonix is about to lose Avi Kaplan ... who announced his departure Friday morning in video posted on the group's Facebook page. Avi says he'd been struggling to keep up with the fast pace of the band, and missed his friends and family as well as not being able "to escape into nature when I’m feeling overwhelmed or just need some time to myself." Pentatonix won...
- 5/12/2017
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
This holiday season, a cappella group Pentatonix offered up A Pentatonix Christmas, which serves as their second album of Yuletide songs. This time, in support of their effort to mission to spread holiday cheer, they took to YouTube to share a unique offering with their fans. A partnership between Sony Music Originals and Lego has resulted in a Lego-fied, 360-degree music video for Pentatonix’s cover of the 150-year-old Christmas song “Up On The Housetop.”
To create the video, Sony (which is partnered with Pentatonix through its RCA Records label) turned to the Lego Group in search of an animated makeover for its a cappella all stars. The toy company obliged, creating versions of band members Scott Hoying, Mitch Grassi, Kirstin Maldonado, Avi Kaplan, and Kevin “K.O.” Olusola using its iconic toys as models.
The resulting video is embedded below. For best results, watch it in 360-degrees through a device such as Google Cardboard.
To create the video, Sony (which is partnered with Pentatonix through its RCA Records label) turned to the Lego Group in search of an animated makeover for its a cappella all stars. The toy company obliged, creating versions of band members Scott Hoying, Mitch Grassi, Kirstin Maldonado, Avi Kaplan, and Kevin “K.O.” Olusola using its iconic toys as models.
The resulting video is embedded below. For best results, watch it in 360-degrees through a device such as Google Cardboard.
- 12/19/2016
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
Dolly Parton and Pentatonix are going viral on the internet because of their rendition of Parton’s 1974 song, “Jolene.” The a cappella group, consisting of Avi Kaplan, Scott Hoying, Kirstin Maldonado, Kevin Olusola and Mitch Grassi, takes the hit song to a mesmerizing level by providing ominous vocals and some beat-boxing. According to Rolling Stone, the song was recorded in Nashville as part of Parton’s deluxe edition for her recent LP, “Pure & Simple.” Also Read: Dolly Parton's 'Coat of Many Colors' Lands Largest-Ever Delayed Viewing Gain for a Broadcast Movie Pentatonix formed in 2011 and shot to fame after...
- 9/17/2016
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
Thanks to the popularity of its latest album, Pentatonix has added another feather to its cap. The a cappella group from Dallas, best known for its YouTube channel, has reached the top of the Billboard 200 with its 12-day-old, self-titled effort.
Pentatonix (the album, not the group itself) arrived on October 16th, with both regular and deluxe versions available from retailers like iTunes. In contrast to the group’s previous albums, which feature a majority of cover songs, almost all of the tracks on Pentatonix are original songs. A music video for album’s lead single, “Can’t Sleep Love,” has received more than 6.9 views since its September 4th release on YouTube.
By reaching the top spot of the Billboard 200, which shares the most popular albums of each week as determined by a combination of sales figures and streaming media hits. Naturally, this formula gives Pentatonix an advantage, considering the group...
Pentatonix (the album, not the group itself) arrived on October 16th, with both regular and deluxe versions available from retailers like iTunes. In contrast to the group’s previous albums, which feature a majority of cover songs, almost all of the tracks on Pentatonix are original songs. A music video for album’s lead single, “Can’t Sleep Love,” has received more than 6.9 views since its September 4th release on YouTube.
By reaching the top spot of the Billboard 200, which shares the most popular albums of each week as determined by a combination of sales figures and streaming media hits. Naturally, this formula gives Pentatonix an advantage, considering the group...
- 10/28/2015
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
Pentatonix members Mitch Grassi, Scott Hoying, Avi Kaplan, Kristin Maldonado and Kevin Olusola, uploaded a YouTube video on June 22, of them singing popular songs of Michael Jackson. Pentatonix Tribute To King Of Pop First they did a tribute to Beyonce, then Miley Cyrus, and now the beloved King of Pop. The six-minute video starts […]
The post Pentatonix’s Tributes The King Of Pop In New Video ‘Evolution Of Michael Jackson’ appeared first on uInterview.
The post Pentatonix’s Tributes The King Of Pop In New Video ‘Evolution Of Michael Jackson’ appeared first on uInterview.
- 6/29/2015
- by Keiry Sanchez
- Uinterview
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