Benson Boone: Biography, Age, American Idol Exit & Faith

Benson Boone’s path to fame didn’t follow the usual script. He quit American Idol before the live shows, signed a record deal, and within two years became one of the most streamed pop artists on the planet.

Born: June 25, 2002 (age 22) ·
Genre: Pop / Rock ·
Most streamed song: In the Stars (1 billion streams) ·
Record label: Night Street Records / Warner Records ·
Instagram followers: 9.3M

Six facts that define Benson Boone’s profile:

Why is Benson Boone so famous?

The viral success of “In the Stars”

Boone’s breakout single “In the Stars” crossed 1 billion streams on Spotify, a feat that vaulted him from unsigned artist to global pop radar. The song’s emotional weight—written about a friend’s loss—resonated across TikTok and radio alike (GRAMMY.com).

Social media and TikTok presence

With 9.3 million followers on both Instagram and TikTok, Boone built a direct-to-fan pipeline. His clips—often raw vocal takes or behind-the-scenes moments—averaged millions of views, creating a word-of-mouth wave that label promotion alone couldn’t match (Encyclopaedia Britannica).

American Idol exposure and early signings

Boone appeared on American Idol season 19 in early 2021, advancing to the top 24 before quitting. The media attention around his departure gave him a ready-made audience when he soon signed with Night Street Records, a label founded by Imagine Dragons’ Dan Reynolds (People). For context, other artists with similar talent-show backgrounds include Dami Im: Eurovision Runner-Up and Australian Idol Winner and Becky Hill: Singer vs Court Clerk – What You Need to Know.

Why did Benson Boone really quit American Idol?

Boone’s own account of quitting

In a 2025 interview with Rolling Stone, Boone explained that he “didn’t want to be part of only one religion”—a remark about his faith, but also a broader ethos. He felt the show’s format was too restrictive for the kind of artist he wanted to be (Encyclopaedia Britannica).

The role of his record deal with Night Street Records

Shortly after leaving American Idol, Boone signed with Night Street Records. The label, founded by Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons, gave him the creative freedom to release his debut single “Ghost Town” in October 2021 without the show’s constraints (GRAMMY.com).

Contrast with other contestants

Unlike many Idol alumni who ride the show’s momentum, Boone chose to build his career independently. The gamble paid off: “In the Stars” outperformed the post-show debuts of most winners from the same season (TODAY).

Bottom line: Boone quit American Idol because he wanted to own his career—and he had a label deal waiting. The decision separated him from the show’s brand and let him define his own sound.

Is Benson Boone still in a relationship?

Public statements about his love life

Boone has consistently kept his private life out of the spotlight. In early 2024, he publicly confirmed a relationship with actress and influencer Maggie Thurmon. The couple made their first official appearance together in March 2024 (People).

Dating history from ELLE article

ELLE compiled a “Complete Dating History” that listed past rumored partners, but Boone has never confirmed any of those relationships. The only relationship he has acknowledged is with Thurmon (Encyclopaedia Britannica).

Current speculation vs. confirmed

As of early 2025, there is no public evidence of a breakup. A People report in early 2025 noted that Boone’s song “Beautiful Things” was inspired by his relationship with Thurmon, suggesting the couple was still together at the time of writing (People).

Bottom line: Boone’s current relationship status is likely “still dating Maggie Thurmon,” but he has not issued a recent public statement. Fans should treat unconfirmed rumors as exactly that.

What religion is Benson Boone?

Boone’s mentions of faith in interviews

Boone was raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) and attended Brigham Young University–Idaho before pausing his education for music. In a 2025 Rolling Stone interview, he said: “I don’t want to be part of only one religion. I have my own opinions. Some of those opinions come from religion, some from another religion, some from no religion” (Encyclopaedia Britannica). Additionally, RTBF reported that Boone expressed similar sentiments about his faith (RTBF).

Lyrics referencing spirituality

Songs like “In the Stars” and “Beautiful Things” contain themes of loss, gratitude, and divine presence. Fans often interpret these as spiritual, but Boone has not labeled them as explicitly religious (TODAY).

Lack of official statement

Boone has not publicly endorsed a specific denomination. He told Today that he “does not wish to align himself with a single religion” and that his beliefs are a mix of his childhood faith, other traditions, and secular views (TODAY).

The implication: Boone’s spiritual journey remains a private and evolving aspect of his life, separate from his public career.

Does Benson Boone have a relationship with his dad?

The father-son singing challenge video

A viral video posted to Boone’s social media shows him and his father engaging in a “hilarious singing challenge.” The clip, which gathered millions of views, portrays a warm, playful dynamic (E! News YouTube).

Interviews mentioning family influence

Boone has referred to his father as supportive of his music career. In a GRAMMY.com profile, he described his family as “very close” and noted that his father encouraged him to pursue music (GRAMMY.com).

Social media clues

Boone’s Instagram occasionally features his father in comments or stories. There are no public signs of estrangement or conflict. The relationship appears to be a positive one, though Boone keeps most family details private (Encyclopaedia Britannica).

Bottom line: The viral singing challenge video suggests a close bond, and Boone’s own words point to a supportive father. Without a deeper interview, fans can’t know the full texture, but the evidence leans positive.

Timeline

• June 25, 2002: Born in Monroe, Washington (GRAMMY.com)
• Early 2021: Auditioned for American Idol season 19, advanced to top 24 (People)
• 2021 (after Idol): Quit the show; signed with Night Street Records (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
• October 2021: Released debut single “Ghost Town” (GRAMMY.com)
• April 2022: Released “In the Stars,” which went viral and reached 1 billion streams (GRAMMY.com)
• 2022–2023: Released EP Walk Me Home; toured; “In the Stars” charted on Billboard Hot 100 (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
• Early 2024: Relationship with Maggie Thurmon made public (People)

The pattern: From a small-town upbringing to global streaming success, Boone’s timeline shows rapid ascent driven by strategic decisions.

What this means: The distinction between confirmed and unconfirmed details helps readers understand the limits of public knowledge about Boone’s personal life.

Quotes

I don’t want to be part of only one religion. I have my own opinions. Some of those opinions come from religion, some from another religion, some from no religion.

Benson Boone, in a 2025 Rolling Stone interview (Encyclopaedia Britannica)

I always felt confused and frustrated when I didn’t connect with Mormonism the way others did.

Benson Boone, as reported by People (celebrity news outlet)

Boone’s journey from American Idol dropout to global streaming sensation is a case study in artistic independence. He traded the safety of a TV competition for the risk of building his own audience—and it paid off. For fans who wonder about his personal life, the takeaway is clear: Boone controls the narrative, and he shares only what he chooses. The rest remains his own.

For the singer himself, the next few years will test whether that independence can sustain a long-term career. The music industry is littered with one-hit viral wonders; Boone’s challenge is to prove that “In the Stars” was a beginning, not a peak.

For a deeper look into his personal life and rise to fame, check out Benson Boones career and relationships.

Frequently asked questions

The takeaway: These frequently asked questions cover the most common curiosities about Boone, though many remain unanswered.