“Mormon Backflip Theory” Goes Viral After Fans Notice Hilarious Trend Among Celebrities and Everyday Men

A new internet theory has captured social media attention. Called the “Mormon Backflip Theory,” it suggests that because Latter-Day Saints (LDS) youth are discouraged from drinking, smoking, or swearing, acrobatic stunts have become a wholesome yet attention-grabbing alternative for men. 

Social media has exploded with examples from celebrities and everyday Mormons alike, highlighting a surprisingly widespread and long-standing trend.

Former Mormon Alyssa Grenfell recently shared a video exploring and potentially explaining Benson Boone’s Mormon backflip theory

Man with mustache in open white suit and suspenders on stage, illustrating the Mormon Backflip Theory viral trend.

Image credits: Benson Boone/Shayden J. Schoonover

Music star Benson Boone, who was raised in a Mormon household, has made onstage backflips a trademark of his performances. His backflips are so prominent that some fans have expressed concerns about the stunt’s potential risks. 

Boone once stated that his love for backflips, which he now considers an authentic expression of his personality and energy onstage, started after he saw his dad perform the stunt when he was a child.

A woman explaining Mormon backflip theory with a viral video of a backflip in front of a large crowd in the background.

Image credits: alyssadgrenfell

YouTuber and former Mormon Alyssa Grenfell shared her thoughts on Benson Boone’s backflips on Instagram. In her video, she noted that backflips are pretty common among Mormon men.

“Benson Boone is not the first to perform the Mormon backflip, though he’s definitely one of the most famous… But it’s not just the famous Mormons or former Mormons who are doing the backflips. It’s the normie Mormons, too,” Alyssa said.

Young woman with long blonde hair discussing Mormon Backflip Theory trend in a casual home recording setup with microphone.

Image credits: alyssadgrenfell

Alyssa also shared some insider perspective about how performing backflips became a culturally accepted way for Mormon boys to attract attention while staying within the church’s strict social rules.

“I grew up in the church, and I can confirm that doing a backflip is one of the classic ways for a Mormon boy to attract a mate and to simultaneously dunk on his less athletic friends.

@alyssadgrenfell 🦚🦚🦚🦚 #bensonboone#exmormon#utah#lds#backflip♬ original sound – Alyssa Grenfell

“This, put simply, is Mormon peacocking, and for me, this is the athletic version of the Mormon boy that brings a guitar to every single function he attends,” she said.

Netizens appreciated Alyssa’s context for the strange phenomenon. “I’m sorry but I cannot stop laughing at this wtf,” one commenter wrote on X.

Comment by Queen Greene sharing childhood trauma about people always doing flips growing up in Utah, related to Mormon backflip theory.

“When you’re a teenager and you can’t get drunk, the thrill of possibly breaking your neck doing a back flip is the next best thing,” wrote another.

Numerous stars have spoken about their Mormon upbringing

Comment by user Mike saying he has learned a lot about Mormon lore from TikTok, related to Mormon backflip theory.

Benson Boone is not the only artist to make the Mormon backflip a trademark. Brendon Urie of Panic at the Disco also made headlines by performing the risky stunt onstage for years. 

Brendan also grew up Mormon, though his backflips were also the result of hard work with trampolines and skateboards.

Man performing a backflip on a late-night talk show set, illustrating the viral Mormon Backflip Theory trend.

Image credits: NBC

While he is also no longer a practicing Mormon, Urie still shared his respect for the LDS church. One of Panic At the Disco’s songs, Say Amen (Saturday Night), which appeared on the album Pray of the Wicked, was an homage to the Mormon faith.

“For us, Saturday night was the preparation for the Sabbath. Spend about four hours just together reading scriptures and getting ready for the Sabbath, so for me – I don’t do that anymore, I’m not religious – but my getting ready for Sunday is just going hard cause I’m gonna sleep in on Sunday,” he told Billboard.

@bonsenbeeno Singer or superhero? #bensonboone#vmas#beautifulthings#vmas♬ Beautiful Things – Benson Boone

Other celebrities, including those who are known to not perform backflips publicly, have spoken about their journey with the Mormon church. 

These include American Idol alum David Archuleta, who stated that he left the church due to his orientation, according to Us Weekly. Still, he noted that he left the church’s structure, not its people. “I would say, it’s the church structure more than the people. Because the people have been amazing,” he said.

Male singer performing on stage with microphone, wearing a decorative jacket, highlighting Mormon Backflip Theory trend.

Image credits: Tim Mosenfelder

Hollywood A-lister Ryan Gosling also stated that his upbringing in the church helped him become more social. 

“You have to pray in public, shake a lot of hands, talk in public, sing in church, stuff like that. It has definitely stayed with me,” he said.

Person performing a backflip on stage during a concert, illustrating the viral Mormon Backflip Theory trend.

Image credits: heyheydash

The same is true for Amy Adams, who noted that she “grew up as a Mormon and that had more of an impact on my values than my beliefs.”

Alyssa stated that backflipping is a good way for Mormon men to show off and look cool while still behaving within the confines of the church’s rules

@heyheydash not my idea but it’s my memory from 2019 🖤 #panicatthedisco#brendonurie#bensonboone#backflip#moonbeamicecream @Benson ♬ original sound – âsh

Alyssa closed her video by stating that backflipping’s appeal among Mormon men is understandable.

“Keep in mind Mormons can’t look cool by drinking or smoking or swearing. They can’t even invite you to go to get a cup of coffee. And so flipping is basically the most family friendly while still being hardcore thing you can do,” Alyssa said.

Two young men in white shirts and ties walking outdoors, discussing the Mormon Backflip Theory trend.

Image credits: Isaac Quick/Unsplash

Alyssa closed her video by stating that backflipping’s appeal among Mormon men is understandable.

“Keep in mind Mormons can’t look cool by drinking or smoking or swearing. They can’t even invite you to go to get a cup of coffee. And so flipping is basically the most family friendly while still being hardcore thing you can do,” Alyssa said.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Porter Ballard (@porterballard)

“Backflipping is an easy way to get people’s attention. You can do it in three seconds. You can do it anywhere you are. And most people consider it cool, if not a little obnoxious when you do it over and over and over again.”

Netizens shared their thoughts on the Mormon Backflip Theory on social media

Screenshot of a social media comment mentioning Mormon backflip theory and backflips performed at Mormon dances.

Comment from The Casting Master asking if Taylor Lautner is Mormon, highlighting the Mormon Backflip Theory trend among celebrities.

Comment mentioning Mormon backflip theory after seeing a guy do a flip, relating it humorously to Aaron Carter.

Comment mentioning Mormon and humor, related to the viral Mormon Backflip Theory trend among celebrities and common men.

Comment from Azonnydayintheneighborhood questioning if Donny Osmond could do a backflip related to Mormon Backflip Theory trend.

Comment by Alex questioning if The Killers' Brandon Flowers did backflips, highlighting the viral Mormon Backflip Theory trend.

Comment on social media asking if Brendon Urie was a Mormon, highlighting the Mormon Backflip Theory trend.

Comment by Edie mentioning Benson Boone as the king of ex Mormons, related to Mormon backflip theory trend discussion.

Screenshot of a social media comment joking about the Mormon backflip theory linking backflips to Mormons.

Comment by Bailey Paige questioning if people are stuck in early 2000's middle school, related to Mormon Backflip Theory trend.

Screenshot of a social media comment joking about the Mormon backflip theory and a kid doing backflips at parties.

Screenshot of a social media comment mentioning Brendan Urie and referencing the Mormon Backflip Theory trend.

Screenshot of a social media comment humorously reacting to the Mormon Backflip Theory viral trend among celebrities and men.

Comment mentioning an exmormon asked if they can do a backflip, referencing the Mormon backflip theory trend online.

Poll Question

Total votes ·

Thanks! Check out the results:

Total votes ·

Newsletter

Subscribe to Access
Exclusive Polls

Subscribe

By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Privacy Policy.

Thank you! You've successfully subscribed to newsletters!

Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

Follow Bored Panda on Google News!

Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda!