US singer Benson Boone shocks audience with shoey at Sydney show: 'When in Australia...'
Benson Boone is the latest touring artist to try out the notorious Australian shoey drinking game.
The 22-year-old hitmaker was on stage at Sydney's Hordern Pavilion on Monday when he took a break between tunes to participate in the 'tradition'.
Audience members erupted in cheers and groans as they watched the star drink from a large cowboy boot that had been passed to him by a fan.
A video recorded by a concertgoer was later shared to TikTok in which Benson can be seen bantering with the audience.
He departed from shoey tradition and used water from a bottle he had on stage instead of drinking beer from the shoe.
'When in Australia,' he joked before he filled the footwear with water.
US performer Benson Boone is the latest touring artist to try out the notorious Australian shoey drinking game (Pictured)
The 22-year-old hitmaker was on stage at Sydney's Hordern Pavilion on Monday when he took a break between tunes to take part in the 'tradition'
He then got down on one knee and was about to drink when he noticed something in the boot.
'You've got food in your shoe,' he told the boot's owner.
After taking the water down in one swallow Benson joked: 'Not bad.'
However, many fans commenting on the share were left unimpressed.
'I was there & cringed,' complained one fan.
'As a culture, we need to retire the shoey, please.'
Added another user, 'I was there last night too. I cringed.'
The shoey is one of Australia's iconic traditions which doubles up as both a hazing punishment or celebratory ritual.
It was made increasingly popular by famed sportsmen like Formula One driver Daniel Ricciardo and UFC fighter Tai Tuivasa.
The shoey is one of Australia's iconic traditions which doubles up as both a hazing punishment or celebratory ritual
It is the practice of pouring alcohol into a sweaty shoe then skolling it.
In the past, the tradition has come under attack as critics - including prominent Australian musicians - call for it to be banned.
Stars like Post Malone, Lizzo and Harry Styles have also famously done a shoey while on tour Down Under.
'My shoe? My shoe is disgusting. I can't drink out of my f**king shoe, what's wrong with ya'll?' Lizzo told the crowd at her Sydney show in 2023.
'This one of the most disgusting traditions I've ever witnessed,' Harry said, before necking a drink from his $1,170 Adidas x Gucci shoe.
'I feel like a different person. I feel ashamed of myself,' he said post-shoey.
'It feels so personal. Such an intimate moment to be shared with so many people. I'll be discussing this with my therapist at length.'
It is commonplace for fans at concerts to chant 'shoo-ey! shoo-ey!' in the hope the performer will agree to take part in the tradition.
It comes after JoJo Siwa got into the party spirit as she took to the stage at a raucous bash in Melbourne last following her split from her dancer girlfriend Dakayla Wilson.
The American singer, 21, stormed the stage for her only club performance during her visit to Australia and pulled out all the stops for her fans - including performing a shoey.
The Dance Moms star sent the crowds wild as she downed alcohol out of her boot.
Footage shared to social media by Abbey Duckworth, showed the star sticking her tongue out for the camera as she poured a can of Box boozy juice into her shoe, before seeing it off in one go
