MONROE — Pop star Benson Boone lit up Seattle’s biggest stage at a sold-out show on Sunday night. On Monday, he was lighting up the hallways of Monroe High School.
The 23-year-old Monroe High alumnus popped in to mingle with students and former teachers.
“Once a Bearcat, always a Bearcat!” read a post with multiple photos on the school district’s Facebook page. “Even with his superstar status, Benson Boone hasn’t forgotten where it all began — right here at Monroe High School.”
The Bearcat pride goes both ways.
“His visit back home to MHS this week meant a lot to our students, staff, and community,” the district said in an email to The Daily Herald. “The entire Monroe community is cheering him on as he continues to share his talent with the world.”
Boone was once known for his aerial skills on the school’s diving team. He placed sixth in the state championships as a diver and made the Sports pages. He was in a 2017 Herald story about his family’s volunteer service.
After graduating in 2020, Boone attended Brigham Young University-Idaho, but took a break after one semester to pursue music.
He made his mark on “American Idol” in early 2021, where his charisma and powerhouse vocals earned a resounding “yes” from all three judges — Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan — and a golden ticket to the Hollywood round.
“They’re gonna swoon over Benson Boone,” Perry said on the show.
Richie remarked: “Benson Ka-boom!”
In a bold and unexpected move, Boone, just 18 at the time, withdrew from the show to set out on his own as a singer-songwriter, a gamble that paid off. His debut single, “Ghost Town,” was a breakout hit, followed by the chart-topping “Beautiful Things.” Other standout tracks include “Mystical Magical” and “Sorry I’m Here for Someone Else.”
In June 2024, Boone opened for Taylor Swift during her Eras Tour stop in London. He performed at the 2025 Grammy Awards, where he was nominated for Best New Artist. His American Heart World Tour, named after his second studio album, kicked off in August and includes 50 shows across North America and Europe.
Famous for his high-energy performances, Boone often thrills audiences with a signature backflip, a nod to his diving days.
Boone told The Herald in a 2021 interview that he didn’t discover his voice until high school, when a friend asked him to play piano in battle of the bands contest.
“My friend said I should sing and I was like, ‘Dude, I never sang before,’” Boone said. “When we got to the competition, something in my voice just clicked and I actually sang for the first time in my life and it felt amazing, seeing people cheering.”
To support the next generation, he started the Benson Boone Scholarship with the Monroe Public Schools Foundation to help grads chase their dreams.
“The kids write their essays. Benson makes time and reads them and considers the applicants thoughtfully,” said Sue Skillen, foundation director, in a 2024 Herald interview.
His family has moved from Monroe — but you just can’t take the Monroe out of the kid.
“Benson loved growing up in Monroe, exploring outdoors, and connecting with friends and neighbors,” his mom, Kerry, shared in a 2024 email to The Herald. “He had amazing teachers and coaches throughout his school experience who encouraged and taught him. He loves staying connected to his roots in Monroe.”
Contact writer Andrea Brown at reporterbrown@gmail.com.
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