MONROE—Singer-Songwriter sensation Benson Boone, who’s hits including ‘Beautiful Things‘ and ‘Mystical Magic‘ have topped Billboard 200 charts globally, paid a local donut shop a surprise visit during his Seattle tour date on August 4.
Monroe-based donut shop, Henry’s Donuts, located at 19191 State Route 2, received a call just before closing around 4 p.m. on Sunday, August 2, from a customer saying they were on their way but was stuck in traffic and might not make it before closing. Henry’s Baker Jerry Duong said it was no problem and that they would wait to close until he got there.
The man arrived shortly after, picked up his donuts and left. Only then did Duong, who was working in the back at the time, realize the customer was none other than former American Idol contestant-turned alternative-rock star Benson Boone himself.
Duong, who’s a big fan of Boone’s music, as is his six-year-old daughter, then wondered if the previous caller had been Boone. He mustered the courage to call the number back and asked if he could return for a photo. To his surprise, Boone generously agreed.
“I said ‘are you Bensone Boone,’ he said yes. I asked if there was any way he could come back so we could get a photo to hang up on the store. He said he wasn’t too far away and that he would swing back,” Duong told the Lynnwood Times. “He was really friendly. He was really nice to everybody.”
Duong now plans to hang the photo up in the donut shop and have Boone sign it next time he’s in town.
“I’m so proud of him, because he came back just so I could get a picture with him. I’m so happy about that,” said Duong.
Henry’s Donuts has been operating in Monroe since 2012. Their biggest seller is their maple bar, Duong said.
Boone was born and raised in Monroe, Washington, and a graduate of Monroe High School. He discovered his musical talents while performing at his high school’s talent show during his Junior Year. He competed in Season 19 of American Idol in 2021 before voluntarily withdrawing, just after securing a Top 24 position.
Despite dropping out of American Idol, Boone continued to post his music on social media channels like TikTok, amassing millions of followers until catching the attention of Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds.
Reynolds signed Boone to his record label, Night Street Records – a subsidiary of Warner Bros. – and released his debut studio album Fireworks and Rollerblades in 2024. His single ‘Beautiful Things‘ peaked at number one on multiple Billboard Charts across the globe.
Boone has performed on the Ellen DeGeneres show, the Kelly Clarkson Show, and Late Night with Seth Meyers. He opened for Taylor Swift during her Eras Tour in 2024 and was part of Coachella’s lineup in 2025.
He sold out his most recent hometown show at Seattle’s Climate Pledge arena, selling more than 17,000 tickets on August 4, just two days before his Henry’s Donuts pitstop.
“That simple act meant so much to Jerry and everyone at Henry’s Donuts. It wasn’t just about getting a photo with a famous singer. It was about kindness, humility, and taking the time to make someone’s day,” Henry’s Donuts wrote in a statement published on their social media. “Thank you, Benson, for being so genuinely humble and kind. You could have easily said no, but instead, you turned around and came back. That is something Jerry—and all of us at Henry’s Donuts—will never forget. You are not only an amazing singer, but an amazing human being.”
Author: Kienan Briscoe
