When Benson Boone (the music industry’s resident flipper) auditioned for season 19 of American Idol back in 2021, he blew the judges away with a stunning cover of Aidan Martin’s song, “Punchline.” Katy Perry was an immediate stan. “I’m gonna tell you something that you may not believe,” she said to Benson at his audition. “But if you believe it, it might happen. I see American Idol and I see you. I see you winning American Idol, if you want to.” The “Beautiful Things” singer was clearly taken aback by the compliment.

And Katy’s prediction could’ve become been a reality — that is, if Benson hadn’t quit before the live shows began. He threw everyone for a loop, dropping out of the competition shortly after earning a spot in the top 24. While it seemed like an odd choice at the time, the dude has now opened for Taylor Swift at the Eras Tour, snagged a Best New Artist Grammy nomination, and had one of the most streamed songs last year. So, I’d say leaving was probably the right move.

But why did Benson Boone quit American Idol? Here’s what the singer’s shared about his decision to leave the show.

Why Did Benson Boone Quit American Idol? His Quotes About Leaving The Show

Why Did Benson Boone Leave American Idol?

During a 2022 interview on The Zach Sang Show, Benson spoke about why he left the singing competition. Basically, he didn’t want his name to be forever associated with the show. “The reason I quit American Idol is because I wanted to do music,” he explained. “I don’t want people to be like, ‘Oh, Benson Boone. American Idol blew him up. That’s where he comes from.’” Benson added that he wanted to be known for writing “smash hits” rather than that American Idol label. Mind you… He’d never written a song before when he quit.

“I think I’m a big risk taker and that’s how I’ve been my whole life,” he reflected. “I’ve been that way in sports, or in cliff jumping, or stuff like that. I always like to feel the thrill of not knowing fully how something’s going to go.” Benson noted that he was lucky to have his parents’ support when he decided to leave. “They just believed in me,” he recalled. “I really thought I could do it.” Oh, to have the boundless confidence of a 19-year-old straight white man (combined with the Benson’s natural talent).

Benson Boone’s American Idol Audition Video

Needless to say, it was a remarkable audition: Lionel Richie gushed over Benson’s “natural talent,” Luke Bryan said he had a “true gift,” and Katy was convinced he could win the whole season.

I really don’t get how Benson “didn’t know” he could sing before the age of 17. Like, sir, you never sang along to music or found yourself randomly humming songs? If I had that much raw talent, there’s no way I wouldn’t be showing it off as much as humanly possible. I suppose he got there eventually.