Before the sold-out arenas, the Grammy nomination, and a song that seemed to play everywhere, Benson Boone was a teenager at a piano in front of three famous judges. That audition is still one of the most replayed moments from American Idol season 19. The reason is simple. He got a golden ticket and then chose not to stay.
This article covers the whole Benson Boone American Idol story, from the audition to the exit and the career that followed. Along the way, it answers the questions fans keep searching: how old is Benson Boone, how tall he is, what his net worth might be, and what we actually know about his girlfriend.
Benson Boone on American Idol: What Happened in Season 19
Benson Boone auditioned for season 19 of American Idol in early 2021. He sat at a piano and sang “Punchline” by Aidan Martin. He told the judges he had only been singing for about a year. That detail made the performance land harder, because his voice sounded much more seasoned than that.
The judges were warm. Lionel Richie called him a natural talent. Luke Bryan praised how humble he came across. Katy Perry said she could see him winning the whole competition if he wanted it. All three voted yes, and he moved on to Hollywood Week.
His Hollywood Week performances were never televised, so viewers didn’t see how far he might have gone on screen. What is on record is that he made the Top 24. That is when he decided to leave. The audition was the last public look at him as a contestant.
Why Benson Boone Walked Away From the Show
Boone withdrew right after securing a spot in the Top 24. Public accounts say he wanted to focus on his own career instead. He has also said he didn’t want to be known as “the American Idol kid.” He wanted his success to come from songs he wrote himself, not from a TV format.
It was a real gamble. American Idol gives winners and finalists a ready-made audience, and that is hard to replace. His parents reportedly supported the decision. In hindsight, the exit fits what he did next. He put out original music, kept building an online following, and treated the show as a launch point rather than a destination.
None of this is a knock on the show. Plenty of Idol alumni have built lasting careers. Boone simply judged that a different route suited him better, and the results suggest he read his own situation well.
How Old Is Benson Boone? A Quick Background
People often ask how old Benson Boone is, partly because he looked so young at his audition. He was born on June 25, 2002, in Monroe, Washington, a suburb of Seattle. As of October 2026, he is 24 years old. He was 18 when he stood in front of the American Idol judges.
That timeline matters for the story. He went from a first-year singer to a chart-topping artist in roughly three years. Born in 2002, he is part of the generation that found its audience on social platforms before traditional radio. That helps explain why his early momentum came from short clips and viral moments, not a conventional label rollout.
“In the Stars”: The Song That Started the Climb
Released in April 2022, “In the Stars” was one of the first songs to show what Boone could do as a songwriter. It is a slow, emotional piano ballad about grief and wishing for more time with someone who is gone. The lyrics read like a message sent too late.
The song gained traction online, where listeners shared it alongside their own stories of loss. That organic response set him apart from other singers with a good voice and an audition clip. He had shown he could write something people connected with personally. Boone has not tied the song publicly to one specific event. So it is best read as a piece about loss in general rather than a diary entry.
You can still see the thread from “In the Stars” through his later work. He keeps returning to big emotions delivered with a strong, clear vocal and a piano or guitar at the center. The official American Idol page lists the show’s seasons and alumni for anyone curious how his path compares with those who stayed.
From “Ghost Town” to “Beautiful Things”: His Career After Idol
After leaving the show, Boone released his debut single, “Ghost Town,” in October 2021. He signed with Night Street Records, the label run by Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds. His debut album, Fireworks & Rollerblades, followed in April 2024.
The breakthrough was “Beautiful Things,” released in January 2024. It reached number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, his first top-five song there. It also topped the charts in the UK, Australia, Canada, Norway, France, Germany, Ireland and New Zealand. In May 2024 he opened for Taylor Swift at Wembley Stadium in London, and he went on to headline his own tour.
The recognition piled up from there. He won an MTV VMA for Best Alternative Video in 2024. He was nominated for the Grammy for Best New Artist and for a Brit Award in 2025 He released a second album, American Heart, in 2025, and the American Heart World Tour won a Pollstar award for Pop Tour of the Year. Looking back, the choice to leave the show has held up well.
Benson Boone Net Worth: What the Estimates Say
Celebrity Net Worth currently estimates Benson Boone’s net worth at about $8 million. Treat that as a rough guide. Artists don’t publish their finances, and these figures are built from public information such as touring, streaming and career milestones.
The likely sources of income are what you would expect. They include streaming royalties from “Beautiful Things” and his two albums, ticket sales from two headlining world tours, and festival and award-show appearances. Touring is usually the biggest earner for artists at his level, which is one reason the number could grow quickly. It could also be higher or lower than the estimate, so look for new figures if you need a current one.
Benson Boone Height and Girlfriend: What’s Confirmed
Fans ask about his height constantly, and there is no officially confirmed number. Many fan and celebrity sites list him at roughly 5’10” to 6’0″, but those figures are estimates, not statements from Boone or his team. Photos with other artists suggest he is on the taller side, but treat any exact number with caution.
The relationship question has a clearer answer, though it may change. According to Wikipedia, Boone dated model, actress and influencer Maggie Thurmon from 2024 to 2025, and a breakup was reported in September 2025. Some outlets describe the relationship as longer, so timelines differ between sources. I couldn’t find a reliable, confirmed report of a new girlfriend. Anything beyond that is rumor, and he tends to keep his private life fairly quiet.
Conclusion
The Benson Boone American Idol story is really about a choice. He earned the judges’ praise, made the Top 24, and left to build something of his own. “In the Stars” showed his skill as a writer, and “Beautiful Things” turned that skill into a global hit.
The basics are easy to remember. He was born in June 2002, so he is 24. His net worth is estimated around $8 million. His height has never been confirmed. The latest reliable relationship news is a reported split from Maggie Thurmon in 2025. What matters most is that the career he walked away from the show to build is now well established.
FAQs
Did Benson Boone win American Idol?
No. He auditioned for season 19 in 2021 and made the Top 24, then withdrew to focus on his own music.
How old is Benson Boone?
He was born on June 25, 2002, so he is 24 as of October 2026.
What is Benson Boone’s net worth?
Celebrity Net Worth estimates about $8 million. This is an estimate, not a confirmed figure.
How tall is Benson Boone?
His height has not been officially confirmed. Unofficial estimates fall roughly between 5’10” and 6’0″.
Who is Benson Boone’s girlfriend?
He dated Maggie Thurmon from 2024 to 2025, and a breakup was reported in September 2025. I found no reliable report of a current girlfriend.
