18-year-old Benson Boone’s American Idol audition was just too adorable! Seeing fresh-faced Benson front the judges just hoping to get his big break feels like a lifetime ago, but it was only in 2021 that he was an unknown teen singer. Things didn’t start smoothly, as Katy Perry gruffly ordered the teen to “hurry up!” and sing. Benson did just that, and his solo piano audition on Aidan Martin’s “Punchline” showcased that even back then he had that jaw-dropping voice and a talent that left the judges in shock.
Benson is the definition of the full package, and he shows that through every stage of his audition. With the level of talent on display, The Music Man has to say it’s no surprise that Benson’s Idol debut became the second-most popular audition in the history of the show, drawing 20 million views. The wildest detail about the whole clip is that Benson mentions he had only “started singing a year ago” and “didn’t know he could sing” before that. Talk about a glow-up!
Benson’s American Idol audition aired on February 22, 2021, on the premiere of season 19. Fans were bowled over by his audition and added comments such as “The fact that he didn’t need American Idol to become an artist just shows how good he is” and “Now he’s got huge hit songs and a massive following, yet remains the same humble person! So inspiring!”
Benson only appeared in one episode of American Idol. He’s since dropped plenty of iconic performances, one of the greatest being his take on Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” This performance was undoubtedly the highlight of a stacked lineup at Coachella that year. It takes a brave man to try and take on Freddie Mercury’s masterpiece, but Benson has the swag and the voice to pull it off. The performance was made very special by an appearance by Queen axeman Brian May, who appeared mid-song to drop his famous solo.
Benson’s history with American Idol is a bit of an odd one. He successfully auditioned on the show and performed again in Hollywood week. His Hollywood duet with Mary Jo Young was not broadcast at the time, although in February 2026, American Idol posted a snippet of the performance on YouTube.
Benson won a spot in the top 24 of American Idol that season after advancing through Hollywood week. However, he then chose to withdraw from the competition. The Washington native made the call to branch out on his own, as he wanted to build his career independently and not mostly be known as the American Idol guy. The Music Man has to say that evidently, that decision paid off!