The Authenticity Crisis of Benson Boone
If you’re on TikTok, you’ve likely seen a tall, lanky white guy with curly hair and a mustache flipping and dancing to male bubblegum pop on your For You Page. Maybe you’ve even asked: Who is this guy? Why the flips? And why does he seem to post from a new account every time?
That is American singer-songwriter and Grammy nominated artist Benson Boone. The 22-year-old musician has recently gained mainstream popularity, but Boone has been making music since 2021, even briefly competing on American Idol before choosing to leave after reaching the Top 24. Although he’s been releasing music since 2021, he rose to greater fame last year after his song “Beautiful Things” went viral on TikTok. He was nominated for Best New Artist at the 2024 Grammy Awards, is gearing up to release his second studio album in June and even performed at Coachella alongside Queen’s Brian May earlier this year. So why, despite all his mainstream success, does it seem like the internet still isn’t fully on board with Benson Boone?
Benson himself even seems to be confused since he posted a TikTok straight up asking people to give him what he called “good reasons” for hating him. This, of course, also didn’t go over well. People are now clowning him for this post on top of all the other critiques.
What Are People Saying About Benson Boone?
Since ‘Beautiful Things’ went viral on TikTok, Benson Boone has faced plenty of public scrutiny. But the build-up and release of his latest single, ‘Mystical Magical,’ triggered a fresh wave of criticism — from questions about his songwriting and authenticity to people simply saying they just don’t like his music.
Boone has a good voice — I don’t love or hate his music. It’s not my genre, but I recognize his talent. I think he has a lot of potential to be a great vocalist and artist, but there are some changes that I’d make if I were him. To me, his vibe has always been leaning more towards the Noah Kahan end of the singer-songwriter spectrum, but Benson Boone has really gone ten toes down on emulating rock icon Freddie Mercury — and that’s one of his biggest missteps.
But let’s take a look at what everyone is saying. One criticism I’ve seen — which I don’t fully agree with — revolves around Boone’s Mormon upbringing. Though he no longer practices, his cultural ties to the religion have fueled backlash. While I don’t believe a religious background inherently undermines artistic credibility, I see why some may be skeptical, especially given the Mormon Church’s recent reputation in pop culture and on platforms like TikTok.
Some people have criticized his songwriting skills saying his lyrics lack depth, going as far to say that his music is “Old Navy music.” I do agree somewhat with this sentiment. His lyrics aren’t the worst I’ve heard, but they don’t leave much of an impression. They rhyme, they work but they lack emotional or narrative depth.
When Music Feels Inauthentic to the Audience
The biggest, and most valid, criticism of Benson Boone that I’ve seen online is that he is attempting to emulate an aesthetic and a lifestyle that he seemingly doesn’t live — and the audience can tell. Boone’s stage persona — whimsical, flamboyant and reminiscent of Queen — feels mismatched with his songwriting and musical sound, which aligns more naturally with the indie-pop lane of artists like The Lumineers or Imagine Dragons. If Boone weren’t so focused on projecting a Queen-inspired persona, his music might resonate more authentically with audiences.
Queen — and more specifically Freddie Mercury — were influential not just for their music, but for how boldly they challenged gender and societal norms. Their authenticity was inseparable from their art. Freddie Mercury was a groundbreaking queer artist who was unapologetically himself. He, along with many other queer artists before and after him, authentically represented themselves on stage through their songs, their wardrobe and how they performed. Benson Boone just doesn’t do that — or at least it does not feel that way to the audience.
While Boone doesn’t publicly identify as LGBTQIA+, and queerness isn’t a prerequisite for expressive, gender-bending performance, the issue may lie in how his persona comes across. For many, his image feels like a strategic costume rather than a natural extension of who he is. As another example, take a look at Harry Styles. Harry himself has never actually confirmed his sexuality, so for all we know he could be 100% straight, despite large speculations. However, Harry Styles’ entire persona — that the public is privy to — stays consistent and feels authentic to who he is. Benson Boone, on the other hand, I’m not so convinced about. In my opinion it feels like he is trying to emulate popular male artists in his same genre to achieve success rather than simply being himself. Ultimately, Boone’s biggest flaw isn’t his lack of talent — it’s the disconnect between the image he projects and the artist audiences believe he really is.
Why Authenticity in Music Matters
In an era where audiences are chronically online, quicker to snap judgement and more attuned to image than ever before, authenticity is foundational to an artist's brand. The stakes are high for artists like Benson Boone, whose rise has been shaped by platforms like TikTok. Listeners don’t just want good vocals or catchy melodies. Audiences today need to believe the artist behind the music is being real with them.
The disconnect between Boone’s aesthetic and his sound, between his onstage persona and what feels like his true artistic core, is what’s keeping many people from buying in. Performative flair can elevate a career when it comes from a place of genuine expression, but it backfires when it feels borrowed or stitched together from more successful playbooks. We as the audience crave vulnerability, consistency and a clear sense of self. That’s what makes music resonate.
Boone doesn’t lack talent. He lacks cohesion between who he presents himself to be and the music he’s actually making. And until those two things come into alignment, he’s going to keep facing the same skepticism — not because he’s not good, but because he hasn’t yet shown us who he really is.