BENSON BOONE

With a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist, a performance for the launch of an Emporio Armani fragrance, and a sophomore album under his belt, the pop-rock star is heading out on tour—flips and iconic outfits in tow.

- By Samuel Maude

ELLE: You're known for your flips. How do you keep your legs and muscles strong?

BENSON BOONE: Because I do it all the time, I've just kind of built up strength in my legs to do it every night. It's like practicing for a sport. I don't just do flips onstage. Of course, not randomly in public either—more on my own with my friends doing crazy things.

ELLE: Were you just one day like, “I’m going to do a backflip?”

BB: Honestly, not far off. I was very young, like four. I watched my dad do a backflip, and I thought it was so cool. I was like, “Man, I’ve got to do that.” I went and flipped off my couch, surprisingly landed, and then started doing flips all over the neighborhood.

ELLE: Besides Emporio Armani's parfum Stronger With You, what's a scent you love?