Katy Perry Said Benson Boone Leaving ‘American Idol’ Was the ‘Best Thing’ He Ever Did
ABC/Christopher Willard Reading Time: 2 minutes
Former American Idol contestant Benson Boone recently opened up about his decision to leave the competition early, sharing that former judge Katy Perry called it “the best thing you ever did.”
Katy Perry Praised Benson Boone for Leaving American Idol
Boone auditioned for Season 19 of American Idol in 2021, earning a Golden Ticket to Hollywood Week. He ended up leaving the competition voluntarily after making it to the Top 24. The 22-year-old has since found success in the music industry, as he prepares to release his second studio album.
During a recent appearance on BBC Radio 2’s The Scott Mills Breakfast Show, Boone said that he thinks former American Idol judge Katy Perry is “really glad that I left the show.” He shared that he and Perry talked a couple of months ago.
“She was, like, really happy for me. Also really worried about me,” Boone said. “I think she understands that when you’re starting to go through all of this, like, there’s just a lot of hate coming your way, a lot of people that want things from you. So she was more just checking in on me.”
He went on to say that Perry told him, “Leaving that show was like the best thing you ever did.”
SEE ALSO: BENSON BOONE RELEASES NEW SINGLE, PERFORMS AT AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS
@bbcradio2 Benson Boone reveals how much Katy Perry has supported him since his exit from the U.S. talent show in 2021 💛 @scottmills @Benson #bensonboone #americanidol #katyperry #scottmillsbreakfastshow ♬ original sound – BBC Radio 2
Boone Reflects on Leaving the Show
Boone admitted that when he tried out for American Idol he “didn’t even know if I wanted to do music.” He explained that the show reached out to him about auditioning, and he thought, “I’m in college. What do I have to lose?”
“And then I went to the Top 24, but they only aired my first episode,” Boone recalled. “Right after the episode aired, I was like, ‘No way, absolutely no way.’ So I just got off the show, and was very fortunate to do so.”
After leaving the show, Boone earned a larger following on TikTok and signed to Night Street Records. He released his debut single “Ghost Town” in October 2021. His debut studio album, Fireworks & Rollerblades, was released in April 2024. It featured the popular song “Beautiful Things.”
Boone’s new album American Heart is due to be released on Friday, June 20.
