Benson Boone's 'American Idol' Footage Airs for First Time

The rising singer left the show early to pursue music on his own terms, but 'Idol' has now shared previously unseen footage of his time on the show.

Feb. 22, 2026 at 10:03pm

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Five years after his brief stint on "American Idol," the show has aired never-before-seen footage of rising singer Benson Boone's time on the competition. Boone, who was praised by the judges but ultimately decided to leave the show early, has since gone on to release two albums, earn a Grammy nomination, and perform at major events like Coachella and the Super Bowl.

Why it matters

Boone's decision to leave "American Idol" early, despite the judges' high praise, highlights the challenges young artists can face in balancing their creative vision with the demands of reality TV competitions. His subsequent rise to fame on his own terms also demonstrates how some artists can find success by forging their own path outside of traditional industry channels.

The details

During the final audition episode of this season, "American Idol" aired footage of Boone's duet with fellow contestant Mary Jo Young during Hollywood Week five years ago. Young had previously struggled with the duet, forgetting the lyrics, but is now back on the show hoping for redemption. The judges were impressed with Young's growth and confidence, and sent her through to the next round.

  • Boone auditioned for "American Idol" five years ago, in 2021.
  • Boone decided to leave the show shortly after his initial audition.
  • The never-before-seen footage of Boone's time on "American Idol" aired on February 16, 2026.

The players

Benson Boone

An 18-year-old singer from Washington who auditioned for "American Idol" five years ago, but ultimately decided to leave the show early to pursue music on his own terms. Boone has since gone on to release two albums, earn a Grammy nomination, and perform at major events.

Mary Jo Young

A 24-year-old singer from Ohio who previously competed on "American Idol" during the same season as Boone. Young is now back on the show, hoping to redeem herself after struggling with a duet performance with Boone during Hollywood Week.

Katy Perry

One of the judges on "American Idol" who was highly impressed by Boone's audition, declaring that the audience would "swoon over Benson Boone" and that she could see him winning the competition.

Lionel Richie

One of the judges on "American Idol" who praised Boone's "natural talent" during his audition.

Luke Bryan

One of the judges on "American Idol" who called Boone's voice a "true gift" during his audition.

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What they’re saying

“They're gonna swoon over Benson Boone. I see you winning 'American Idol' if you want to.”

— Katy Perry, Judge, "American Idol"

“I feel like a new person. I wanted to come back to 'American Idol' because I learned the most from being on the show than I have on any tour.”

— Mary Jo Young, "American Idol" Contestant

What’s next

The judges will decide whether to allow Mary Jo Young to continue on to the next round of "American Idol" competition.

The takeaway

Benson Boone's decision to leave "American Idol" early, despite the judges' high praise, demonstrates how some young artists may choose to forge their own path in the music industry rather than be defined by a reality TV competition. His subsequent rise to fame on his own terms shows the potential rewards of such a bold move.