Benson Boone has swiftly risen to prominence in 2025, and his devoted fans are just now recalling where they first encountered him.

The 22-year-old sensation behind the hit “Beautiful Things,” which earned him an MTV Video Music Award, has been making waves in the music world this year. However, his initial appearance on the public stage dates back to 2021 when he auditioned for American Idol.

A TikTok video that recently went viral has jogged fans’ memories, showcasing Benson’s audition for the talent show when he was just 18 years old.

The clip captivated viewers as it highlighted his impressive vocal prowess, which he hoped would secure him a spot on the show.

With the video amassing over 300,000 views, fans expressed their admiration for the burgeoning star, left in awe of his talent.

One fan, commenting on the video, exclaimed, “Wait, is this the Benson Boone who performed ‘Ghost Town’ and ‘Beautiful Things’?”

Benson Boone has become one of the biggest rising stars in 2025 and his fans have only just realised that where they first noticed the singer

The Beautiful Things hitmaker, 22, who won an MTV Video Music award for the song, has been taking the industry by storm this year but he first graced screens in in 2021 when he auditioned for American Idol

‘Did he win American Idol? I just love him.’

‘How did I not know he was on American Idol?’

‘Omg I didn’t know he was on American Idol. You got this young man.’

Benson, from Monroe, Washington, discovered his singing ability at 17 after a friend encouraged him to enter their high school’s battle of the bands.

In 2021, he appeared on American Idol, impressing both the audience and the judges.

He told them he had only realised he could sing the year before, but his performance earned a standing ovation from Lionel Richie and Katy Perry.

Katy said she could see him winning the competition, while Richie described him as a ‘natural talent.’

Benson reached the top 24 before withdrawing from the show. 

A viral TikTok clip has rejogged his fans memory as it showed Benson auditioning for the talent show aged just 18

The clip left his fans in awe as his talented vocal skills were put to the test in the hopes to land himself a place on the show

He later said he was concerned about being typecast as ‘the American Idol kid’ and wanted to build his music career independently.

Since then, he has gained popularity on TikTok, where his videos—featuring music, acrobatics, and piano performances—have attracted a large following.

His track Beautiful Things has been used in over four million TikTok videos. 

His debut album earned a Grammy nomination, and he performed at the awards show in a sparkly ice-blue jumpsuit.