American singer-songwriter Benson Boone made headlines after a controversial efficiency on the Grammy Awards on Sunday, the place he wore a very tight jumpsuit and did flips whereas singing. Earlier than that, he was finest recognized for his high track, Stunning Issues. Little did we all know, Boone was really an avid performer on the earth of sports activities earlier than he was well-known onstage, competing in cross-country and pole vault whereas in highschool.
Boone attended Monroe Excessive Faculty in Monroe, Wash., becoming a member of the cross nation staff in ninth grade and racing at seven meets in two months. At simply 14 years previous, he clocked a powerful 5,000m private better of 20:00 on the WESCO regional cross-country Championships in Washington state.
His participation in athletics didn’t cease there. All through his freshman and sophomore years, Boone joined the observe and subject staff as a pole vaulter–which is unsurprising, after seeing his capacity to flip round onstage. In tenth grade, Boone vaulted to his private finest of three.81m.
Me, a man who follows T&F, watching Benson Boone nail a entrance flip with a twist off the piano on the Grammys: “Man, that dude’s athletic, I ponder if…”
Positive sufficient, @bensonboonex was a HS pole vaulter (12′-6″ soph yr) in Monroe, WA earlier than his singing profession took off. pic.twitter.com/hAqSbrGDKE
— Dave Devine (@PDX_devine) February 6, 2025
Boone first gained recognition when he appeared on the truth present American Idol in 2021, however dropped out of the competitors after going viral on TikTok. He launched his debut single “Ghost City” later that yr. In 2024, Boone carried out on his first world tour, and in November, acquired his first Grammy nomination, within the class of Finest New Artist. Different nominees included Sabrina Carpenter, Raye, Teddy Swims and the winner, Chappell Roan.