Kirstin Taylor " Kirstie " Maldonado born May 16, is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and a member of the a cappella group Pentatonix. Together with Pentatonix, Maldonado has released seven studio albums, won three Grammy Awards , and sold over six million albums. She also made her Broadway debut in , portraying Lauren in Kinky Boots. Maldonado was raised by her mother Angelica Maldonado in Arlington, Texas. Maldonado was only five years old when she first expressed her wish to become a singer. At eight years old, she sang at her mother's wedding reception, ultimately convincing her mother to enroll her in voice lessons.