Who is Benson Boone, the backflipping singer nominated for Grammys best new artist?

Fans have flipped for Benson Boone since the Washington state native landed on the music scene in 2021.

The singer-songwriter has been a steady presence on the Billboard charts since his debut single, “Ghost Town,” and he’s cultivated a following attracted to his emotive, vibrato-filled voice as well as his acrobatics-infused live performances.

Boone, 22, honed his live skills with a 2024 amphitheater tour behind his first album, “Fireworks & Rollerblades,” a worldwide outing that will continue through January in Australia and New Zealand. He was also tapped by Taylor Swift – who called him “such a showman” ‒ to open in London on her record-breaking Eras Tour.

The onetime-“American Idol” contestant earned his first Grammy nomination for best new artist just a few years after he briefly attended Brigham Young University – Idaho to cultivate his singing career.

Here’s more about Boone, who will vie for his first golden gramophone at the Feb. 2 Grammys ceremony.

Why did Benson Boone leave 'American Idol'?

After Boone's singing clips gained traction on TikTok, he auditioned for Season 19 of “American Idol” in 2021 at the urging of friends. He got through to the show’s Hollywood Week, but withdrew from the competition after landing among the Top 24.

“It was a very hard choice,” Boone said of his decision in a 2021 label press release for his debut single. “I didn't want to show the world someone I'm not.”

“Idol” judge Lionel Richie was especially prescient, telling Boone at the time that, “You know, there’s some folks who need to practice and there’s some folks who are just gifted.”

Boone launched a successful gamble, as Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds soon signed the burgeoning artist to his Night Street Records later that year and shepherded the release of Boone’s first single, “Ghost Town,” on which Boone played guitar, drums and piano.

What songs does Benson Boone sing?

Boone told MTV Asia in 2023 that he grew up listening to icons including Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, Aretha Franklin and Elvis Presley, but also immersed himself in the music of contemporary singers such as Adele, Sam Smith and Shawn Mendes.

“The artists I listened to in high school had a huge impact on my artistry today,” he said of his sound, which blends pop, rock and soul.

Following the modest showing of “Ghost Town,” first released on his 2022 EP, “Walk Me Home …” and later on “Fireworks & Rollerblades,” Boone continued to advance his career with “Beautiful Things.” The soulful ballad charted at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Follow-ups “Slow it Down” and “Pretty Slowly” established Boone’s escalating success.

Despite Boone’s quick breakthrough, music wasn’t an early passion for the sports fanatic who funneled his energy into the Monroe High School diving team. But after agreeing to play with a friend in a school-sponsored battle of the bands, Boone wound up singing and surprised himself with his ability.

“I started singing and my voice came out of me and it was like I unlocked something I didn’t know I had,” he told MTV. “It was like the best feeling of my life.”

How did Benson Boone learn how to flip?

A hallmark of Boone’s live performances are his eye-popping acrobatics. Backward, forward, doubles and singles, the flips amplify the visual razzle dazzle.

He recently told “The Graham Norton Show” that his gymnastics prowess began as a child when he would watch his dad go airborne.

He started emulating his father at the age of 3, launching himself off the couch and eventually moving to the backyard.

His one rule? “I never do (flips) in boots.”

Benson Boone at the 2025 Grammys

Boone secured his first Grammy nomination for the 2025 award show.

He’ll face stiff competition in the best new artist category from Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, RAYE, Shaboozey, Khruangbin, Doechii and Teddy Swims.

The 2025 Grammy Awards are scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 2 in Los Angeles.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is Benson Boone, the backflipping Grammy best new artist hopeful