Benson Boone is okay with having haters — if they know why they hate him. In a video shared to TikTok on April 21, 2025, the 22-year-old "Beautiful Things" singer spoke about receiving negativity on the internet and wanting critiques of him to come from an informed point of view. "If you hate me or my music at least have a good reason for it," wrote Boone in text displayed over a front-facing video of himself soundtracked by an unreleased song.
Boone explained, "I just read a comment that said 'idek why I hate Benson Boone but it feels right.' Like WHAT!!? how am I supposed to improve after reading that?" The Grammy-nominated star, known for flipping on stage during performances, added, "At least say something valid like 'he low key just flips everywhere can he [do] anything else?" Boone also suggested haters say something like, "I just don't like his songs even though I'm basing my opinion off the only one I've heard over and over," seemingly referencing his massive hit "Beautiful Things" and noting it'd be a "super valid" critique.
In the comments section, one fan expressed feeling as though immense radio play a hit track like "Beautiful Things" has received "can ruin the song and therefore the artist by proxy, without it having to do anything [with] you directly." Boone responded, "Honestly this is so true!!"
Recently, Boone made headlines for expressing frustration after his Coachella audience had a lukewarm response to his performance of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" with Brian May on April 11. In text alongside a TikTok video of himself singing into a banana, Boone wrote, "Me trying to get the crowd at Coachella to understand what an absolute legend Brian May is and the cultural impact he has on music and THE WORLD." For his performance at Coachella's second weekend, Boone trolled the crowd. "Just wait till you see who I bring up for Bohemian Rhapsody today," he teased on TikTok — before bringing out a cardboard cutout of May, 77.
Benson Boone is not everyone’s cup of tea. However, if you are into high-flying, rock-inspired, skin-tight jeweled jumpsuit-wearing pop musicians, then the “Beautiful Things” singer is right up your alley. Still, with Boone’s sophomore album, American Heart, slated to drop soon, he has opened himself up to constructive criticism. In his TikTok video, Boone posed a question not to his supporters but rather his haters, asking them to outline their disdain for him and/or his songs.
In his video, Boone wrote, "If you hate me or my music at least have a good reason for it." He elaborated on the vague nature of some criticisms he receives, saying, "I just read a comment that said ‘idek why I hate Benson Boone, but it feels right.’ Like WHAT!!? how am I supposed to improve after reading that?" Boone suggested valid criticisms such as 'he low-key just flips everywhere can he [do] anything else?' or 'I just don’t like his songs even though I’m basing my opinion off the only one that I’ve heard over and over.'
One user attributed their dislike to his song "Beautiful Things" being overplayed on the radio, stating, "I feel like sometimes when a radio overplays a song a LOT like ‘Beautiful Things’ for example, it can ruin the song and therefore the artist by proxy, without it having to do anything with you directly." Boone pleased with the insight replied, "Honestly, this is so true!"
Despite the mixed reactions, Boone has clearly been successful, earning a Grammy nomination this year and playing in front of a massive crowd at Coachella this month. His willingness to engage with criticism shows a level of maturity and understanding of the music industry, where not every song will resonate with every listener.
Boone’s approach to handling negativity reflects a broader trend among artists today, who are increasingly using social media platforms to connect with fans and address their concerns directly. As the music industry continues to evolve, artists like Boone are finding new ways to engage with their audiences, whether through humor, vulnerability, or simply asking for more constructive feedback.
In the end, Boone's message is clear: he's open to criticism, but he hopes it can be more thoughtful and specific. As he prepares to release American Heart, it will be interesting to see how his music evolves and how fans respond to his new material. Will they embrace it, or will they find new reasons to critique him? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure — Benson Boone is ready to face whatever comes his way.
