Singer Avi Kaplan Leaves Pentatonix -- Watch His Emotional Goodbye Video
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.
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 we've seen, the people we've touched with our music… It surpasses anything that I could have ever dreamed up for my life."
"I do love you all so very much, but I've come to a point where I just can't keep up anymore and I would never want to inhibit any type of success that we have because I truly do believe in everything that we've done and everything that they will do," he continued. "I just know that I can no longer continue at this pace and so I have to do what's best for the group and I have to do what's best for me."
"I do want you all to know that I'm still going to be doing music and I'm going to be doing it with my whole heart. I will ALWAYS do my best to lift others up with my voice," he said. "I hope that you'll all support my decision and that you can understand where I'm coming from. And regardless of anything, I just want to thank you for all that you've given to me. I have been so unbelievably blessed and humbled to be a part of all your lives in any way and I wanted you to hear this from me. From my voice. And from my heart."
RELATED: Pentatonix: 9 Inspiring Things We Learned That Make Us Love Them Even More
"And just so you know, I will still be performing at all of our announced shows, so come say hi and give me a hug. I love hugs," he concluded. "Avi."
WATCH: Pentatonix Sings the ET Theme Song!
Just a few days earlier, Pentatonix member Kirstin Maldonado released her new single, "Dose of You," with Helena Legend.
WATCH: Pentatonix Proves the Naysayers Wrong With Their First Full-Length Original Album
ET spent a whole day with Kaplan, Maldonado, Scott Hoying, Mitch Grassi and Kevin Olusola in 2014, three years after they won The Sing-Off, where they opened up about what makes them a family.
See more in the video below.
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