It’s been nearly 5 years since TikTok sensation Benson Boone took to the American Idolstage and wowed the judges. Even though he withdrew from the competition, he has gone on to have a very successful music career.
Before ever stepping foot on the national stage, Boone was already known and loved online because of his TikTok. At the time of his audition he had 1.3 million followers that knew him for his beautiful covers and original songs. On American Idol, Boone shared that he was obsessed with singing since joining a friends band. But, before the band, he didn’t know he could sing.
In his audition he sang “Punchline” by Aidan Martin and impressed the judges with his piano skills and vocals. Judge Katy Perry shared that Boone had the ability to win, after hearing his voice for the first time. Boone earned a Golden Ticket, made it into the Hollywood Round and reportedly made it into the Top 24.
Before the Top 24, Boone withdrew himself from the competition. At the time of his departure, many fans assumed that he had already been offered a record deal. His departure from the series didn’t affect his popularity on TikTok, if anything the young singer gained followers.
What Has Benson Boone Been Up to Since American Idol?
Following the show, the singer maintained his social media presence and signed a major record deal. In October 2021, he signed with Warner Records and Dan Reynolds from Imagine Dragons. Along with the record deal, he also signed a publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music and Saints Sounds Publishing.
Boone shared that his record deal is just the beginning of his career in his social media announcement. Around the same time as the deal, an American Idolpress release went out stating that Boone left the series because he didn’t want to show the world a false representation of himself. Instead, the singer wanted to instead create an authentic connection via social media.
Boone’s first single release with Warner Records was one of the first songs he’s ever written, “Ghost Town.” Boone has shared that this song is based off of an observation of a friend’s toxic relationship. This song debuted at No. 77 on the iTunes U.S. Songs Chart. The single also charted in Canada, France, and the United Kingdom. The song also was placed on the Pop Rising and Today’s Top Hits Spotify Playlists.
Due to the success of the single, Warner Records sent Boone on a short European Tour. Boone performed “Ghost Town” in France, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and Norway. Throughout his tour, he continued to tease new music for fans on social media.
On February 18 2022, Boone released his second single “Room For 2” which was previously teased on TikTok for months. On the day of the song’s release he also shared the official music video which features some amazing visuals. But Boone’s career didn’t end there. This was only the beginning of his rise to fame.
In 2026, He is a Household Name
After the success of his single “Ghost Town,” Boone found himself atop the charts again in 2024 with single “Beautiful Things.” This was really the song that made Boone who he is today. Following this success, Boone released his first album, Fireworks and Rollerblades, which features both of his successful singles.
“Beautiful Things” was truly the song that made Boone a household name. It got him nominated for Billboard Music Awards, Los 40 Music Awards, Melon Music Awards, MTV Europe Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards, and the NRJ Music Awards. But a year later? His career reached an entirely new height.
In 2025, Boone released his second album, American Heart. This album features his now-memeifyed song, “Mystical Magical.” After the immense success Boone experienced from his first album, it’s hard to believe he could become more famous. Ultimately, the exposure lead to more fans which lead to more and more public appearances. In that year, he earned his largest feat to date, he was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best New Artist, Best New Pop Artist and Favorite Tour Tradition.
Though Boone didn’t win anything at the 2025 Grammy Awards, it’s clear that he’ll be returning in the future. From auditioning on American Idol to becoming one of the biggest singers in the world, it’s incredible how much Boone has accomplished in only 5 years.
Words by:
Corey Cesare Corey Cesare is Talent Recap's Managing Editor and featured YouTube Host. She has a love of all things pop culture and an unhealthy obsession with celebrities. Corey earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Cinema/Screen Studies from the State University of New York at Oswego in 2021. She spends her spare time shooting astro, nature, and portrait photography, and coming up with movie ideas that she hopes to make into a film someday.
