Summary
American Idolseason 19 contestantBenson Boone will open for Taylor Swift at one of her Eras Tour shows in London, England. Benson began his music career when he went viral on TikTok, and thenauditioned forAmerican Idol. All three judges–Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan–gave Benson a golden ticket to Hollywood in 2021 after he sang “Punchline” by Aidan Martin. Benson’s time in Hollywood Week wasn’t televised, but he did make it to the Top 24. However, he withdrew from the competition before the voting rounds began to pursue music in his own right, outside of the show. Benson has since gone on to become a global pop star.
Benson will open for Taylor Swift during her June 23 Eras Tour show at Wembley Stadium in London, England.
According toBroadwayWorld,Benson will open for Taylor Swift during her June 23 Eras Tour show at Wembley Stadium in London, England. The show will be the third of eight shows that Taylor will play at the world-renowned venue. Benson is currently in the middle of the European leg of his sold outFireworks & Rollerbladesworld tour.
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Benson Boone Is One Of ABC Era’s Biggest American Idol Successes
Benson’s Song “Beautiful Things” Is The Most-Streamed Song Of 2024 So Far
Benson has had so much success since he withdrew fromAmerican Idolseason 19. His song “Beautiful Things,” which is the lead single from his debut studio album,Fireworks & Rollerblades, is the most-streamed song of 2024 so far. The song reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100. Benson had previously released two EPs–Walk Me Home…andPulse.The EPs have had tens of millions of streams, and “Ghost Town"and “In the Stars,” fromWalk Me Home…have been tremendous hits for him. Benson has been named an On the Verge Artist by iHeartRadio, an Amazon Music Breakthrough Artist, and MTV’s Global PUSH Artist for October 2023.
Benson Boone Isn’t The Only American Idol Contestant From The ABC Era To Withdraw
Several American Idol Contestants Have Dropped Out In Recent Years
SinceAmerican Idolwas revived by ABC,several contestants have withdrawn from the competition for different reasons and at various stages of the competition. Their self-eliminations sent shockwaves through their seasons, especially since many of them were favorites to win it all. DuringAmerican Idolseason 19,Wyatt Pike made it to the Top 16. However, he then dropped out of the competitionfor personal reasons, despite being a fan favorite.
That same season, Top 5 finalistCaleb Kennedy leftAmerican Idolwhen a Snapchat video released when he was 12 years old resurfaced. In the video, Caleb sat next to a person who appeared to be wearing a Ku Klux Klan hood. Caleb apologized for the video on Instagram, and said that it was not meant to be taken that way.
DuringAmerican Idolseason 20, platinum ticket recipientKenedi Anderson made it to the Top 24, but withdrew from the competition for personal reasons after taping her performance for the round. It was a shocking development becauseKenedi was considered a front-runner to win the competition. She was the first platinum ticket recipient ever to drop out.
American Idolseason 21 contestantSarah Beth Liebe, who’d clashed with Katy earlier in the season, left the competition during Hollywood Weekbecause she wanted to return home to her children. Katy tried to convince her to stay, but Sarah Beth decided to go home. That same season, Kaya Stewart, daughter of Eurythmics' Dave Stewart, fell ill and dropped out during the Duets round leaving her partner, Fire, without anyone to sing with. However, their fellow contestant Jayna Elise, who returned forAmerican Idolseason 22, filled in for Kaya at the last minute.
It’s exciting to hear thatAmerican Idolcontestant Benson is opening for Taylor, who’s one of the biggest music stars in the world right now. Although some wondered if Benson made a mistake when he dropped out of theAmerican Idolcompetition when he was possibly on a path to winning,it’s clear that he made the right decision.Katy had even told himthat when she sawAmerican Idol, she saw him, and she saw him winning if he wanted to. However, sometimes it’s better not to win the competition, as contestants such as Jennifer Hudson, Chris Daughtry, Katharine McPhee, Adam Lambert, and Gabby Barrett have proven over the years.
TheAmerican IdolABCera hasn’t produced many big stars in comparison to the FOX years' discoveries of winners Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks, Scotty McCreery, and Phillip Phillips, among others, butBenson is definitely one of its most successful contestants. His time on the show might’ve been short, but his auditionmade quite an impact onAmerican Idolfans. Benson’s popularity has now spread around the world. It’s awesome to see that Taylor Swift is now in her Benson Boone era.
American Idol
Cast
American Idol is a reality singing competition that adds to the international “Idol” brand, conceived initially in the U.K. as Pop Idol. Holding massive auditions across the U.S., American Idol invited several contestants to perform in front of a panel of judges that would determine whether or not they’d go on to future rounds for a chance at competing in the fully televised premiere of the show. Contestants are voted off each week by American participation via voting through various mediums, and the winner of the competition would be given a contract with a record label to secure a future as America’s next musical idol.
