Katy Perry was "really worried" about Benson Boone and the "hate" he's experienced on his rise to stardom
The Beautiful Things hitmaker achieved viral overnight success thanks to the 2024 mega-hit but he first auditioned on American Idol when pop superstar Katy was a judge in 2021, before quitting to pursue his own path into the music business
20 June 2025
Benson was asked if Katy has ever taken credit for his career after she predicted he would win the talent show.
He told The Scott Mills Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2: "Do you want to know the actual truth? I actually think that she is really glad that I left the show."
Recounting his recent conversation with the I Kissed A Girl singer, he said: "I talked to her the other day. I say the other day... It was like two months ago. It was at an awards show. We just got to chit chat for a little bit and she was like, really happy for me. Also, really worried about me. I think she understands that when you are starting to go through all of this, there's just a lot of hate coming your way. A lot of people who want things from you. She was more just checking in on me but..."
He noted: "She actually really is a lovely person."
Katy was glad Benson decided to leave American Idol.
He said: "She told me she was like, 'leaving that show was the best thing you ever did.'"
Scott Mills replied: "And that's no shade on her being on the show."
Benson agreed: "No, not at all."
At the time, the 22-year-old star had no idea if he wanted to work in music.
He continued: "She just understands... I didn't even know if I wanted to do music at that time."
Benson explained: "Yeah, they reached out to me to be on the show because it was during COVID, so you couldn't go in to audition. So, they were reaching out to a bunch of people and I got reached out to because I had posted a couple of videos at that point. I was like I am in college, what do I have to lose? I will just go do this. It might be fun."
Listen back to the full interview on BBC Sounds.
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