Benson Boone's black lace dress video sparks massive fan debate during Pride Month: 'Is he coming out or just queer-baiting again?'

Benson Boone stepped into the spotlight on June 10, 2026 with a video that blended promotion, fashion playfulness, and cultural tension. The 23-year-old singer recreated influencer Alix Earle's recent viral TikTok, appearing in a skimpy black lace dress while energetically lip-syncing and running around an outdoor setting to his upcoming single The Time of My Life, set for release on 26 June.


Posted on Instagram and quickly amplified across X, the clip has generated widespread discussion about celebrity self-expression, marketing strategies, and authenticity amid Pride Month.

The video arrives as Boone builds momentum after the global success of Beautiful Things. With Alix Earle already confirmed to appear in the official music video for the new track, the recreation feels like a clever teaser. Yet its timing and visual choices have prompted sharp questions from fans about intent, revealing deeper audience investment in how male pop stars navigate gender norms and fan expectations.

In the short clip, Benson Boone appears in a tight, form-fitting black lace mini dress with thin spaghetti straps, a sheer lace bodice, and scalloped hem detailing that sits high on the thighs. The 23-year-old singer, sporting his signature curly hair and light facial stubble, delivers an energetic, theatrical performance in an outdoor nighttime setting illuminated by warm, reddish ambient lighting.

He runs dramatically across what appears to be a garden or patio area with grass underfoot, striking exaggerated poses including leaning back with hands on his head, sitting on a large brown beanbag chair with legs crossed and one hand resting on his knee while gazing directly at the camera, and arching his back in fluid, playful movements. Boone lip-syncs with full commitment to the upbeat yet emotional chorus of his upcoming single The Time of My Life, complete with expressive facial gestures and diva-like flair.


The video mirrors Alix Earle’s original TikTok almost move-for-move, where she wore a nearly identical sheer black lace ensemble while running around a yacht. Boone’s caption reads along the lines of “This song is going to wreck me,” with a direct tag to Earle, teasing their collaboration as she is rumoured to feature in the official music video. The entire sequence blends promotional tease with bold fashion statements, clocking in at around 20-30 seconds of high-energy content designed for maximum shareability. The dress simply stands as a fashion statement and admiration towards Alix Earle's video, and nothing more than that. Benson did not come out as queer nor intended to queerbait.

A post on X captured the divide vividly, amassing over a million views. Comments ranged from enthusiastic support to pointed criticism. One user wrote-


“when will he ever stop queerbaiting”

Another post stated-

“Is he coming out or just queer-baiting again?”

“When the music isn't selling they store to queer baiting” - read another comment

Another user commented-

“I have seen people desperate for attention, but his desperation is on another level.”

"oh you is not harry styles" - wrote another fan

Supporters celebrated the confidence: "Okayyy diva," and praised the energy. Others enjoyed the playfulness, with one noting, "He studied the Harry Styles playbook." Some defended the moment outright: "A man using a dress... y'all need to stop with the word 'queerbaiting'. Others expressed discomfort: "Men are so irritating," "He looks like a f*g,"

The reactions reflect not just opinions on Boone but ongoing cultural fault lines around male celebrities, Pride visibility, and parasocial expectations.

Born on June 25, 2002 in Monroe, Washington, Benson James Boone rose to fame after a brief stint on American Idol in 2021. He left the show to pursue an independent path and was later signed by Imagine Dragons' Dan Reynolds. Known for emotional, anthemic pop-rock tracks like Beautiful Things, Boone has cultivated a visual style that often pushes boundaries.


This is far from his first foray into gender-fluid or feminine styling. He has worn sheer lace shirts at events like the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards, donned a wedding dress for a comedic moment at a friend's wedding earlier in 2026, and experimented with androgynous looks inspired by 1970s icons. Boone has spoken openly in the past about enjoying women's clothing and using fashion as a creative outlet connected to his artistic expression.

These choices align with his theatrical performance style, often compared to Freddie Mercury's flair. Fans and critics have noted his history of shirtless shoots, vulnerable imagery, and bold outfits as part of a deliberate brand that appeals across demographics.

The debate lands during Pride Month, when conversations about representation, allyship, and commercialisation intensify. Boone's history of similar aesthetics makes the video feel like a continuation rather than an isolated stunt, prompting audiences to scrutinise patterns.

Platforms amplify such content because ambiguity drives engagement. For Boone, whose audience includes dedicated pop fans drawn to his ballads and those who follow his visual persona, this video serves dual purposes: teasing new music while generating necessary buzz. Rumours of Earle's involvement in the music video add another layer of intrigue.


This episode mirrors broader trends in pop stardom. Artists like Harry Styles have normalised boundary-pushing fashion, yet each new example reignites scrutiny, especially for those who have not explicitly identified as queer. It reveals audience psychology: a desire for authenticity clashing with enjoyment of spectacle, alongside frustration when promotional tactics feel calculated.

Boone has not issued a direct response to the latest comments in available material. His focus appears to remain on creative output, with The Time of My Life positioned as an uplifting yet nostalgic track following his recent successes.

In an era where every visual choice is parsed for meaning, Boone continues to navigate the space between personal expression and public performance.