Benson Boone is living a whirlwind dream, but behind the scenes, pop icon Katy Perry has been quietly rooting for him, and expressing real concern.
Boone, who exploded into the spotlight with his viral 2024 hit Beautiful Things, had his first taste of fame back in 2021 when he auditioned for American Idol. At the time, Katy Perry was one of the judges and had predicted big things for him. But instead of continuing on the show, Benson chose to walk away and carve his own path.
Three years later, that decision seems to have paid off, and Katy couldn’t be prouder. During an interview on The Scott Mills Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2, Benson opened up about a candid conversation he recently had with the I Kissed a Girl singer.
“I talked to her the other day,” he shared. “Well… two months ago at an awards show. We just chatted for a bit. She was really happy for me but also really worried. She knows how tough it is when things take off. There’s hate, there’s pressure, and a lot of people suddenly want something from you.”
Katy wasn’t just congratulating him on his success, she was checking in to make sure he was okay. “She actually really is a lovely person,” Benson added.
When asked whether Katy ever takes credit for his career, considering she once predicted he’d win the show, Benson laughed it off. “Honestly? I think she’s glad I left the show. She told me, ‘Leaving that show was the best thing you ever did.’”
Scott Mills quickly noted, “And that’s no shade on her being on the show,” to which Benson agreed: “No, not at all.”
Looking back, Boone admits he didn’t even know if he wanted to pursue music back then. “I was in college. They reached out to me because of some videos I had posted. It was during COVID, so you couldn’t go in to audition. I thought, ‘What do I have to lose?’ I just went for it. Figured it might be fun.”
That moment of spontaneity eventually led him down a path to becoming one of the most talked-about new voices in pop. Still, the fame hasn’t come without challenges, and Katy’s concern shows she’s more than just a judge, she’s someone who gets the ups and downs of the industry.
Benson’s honesty about fame and Katy Perry’s behind-the-scenes support show a more personal side to the glitzy world of pop stardom. It’s clear their brief connection on American Idol sparked something real, a mix of mutual respect and understanding that goes beyond the stage.
You can listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds.
