Benson Boone's Coachella performance took an unexpected turn during the festival's second weekend. Following a less-than-enthusiastic response to Queen guitarist Brian May's surprise guest appearance the previous week, Boone decided to playfully address the situation. Instead of having May himself join him for a rendition of "Bohemian Rhapsody," Boone opted for a life-sized cardboard cutout of the legendary guitarist. The performance began as expected, with Boone dramatically performing the song's intro and even flipping off his grand piano, a signature move. However, the reveal of the cardboard Brian May elicited laughter and amusement from the audience. Boone energetically pointed at the cutout, exclaiming "Brian May!" while a guitarist delivered May's iconic guitar solo. Throughout the rest of the song, Boone playfully interacted with the cutout, holding it aloft, placing it on his piano, and even serenading the cardboard rocker. Despite the playful prank, the cardboard May proved to be a bit unwieldy, toppling several times due to the notoriously windy conditions in Indio, California. Boone's pre-performance TikTok hinting at a "Bohemian Rhapsody" surprise, which only escalated after the first weekend. This clever TikTok saw Boone lip-syncing the song into a banana while expressing his disappointment with the crowd's reaction. The singer later shared a photo on Instagram showing himself with the cardboard cutout, adding a witty caption about Brian May looking “extra spicy.” The real Brian May, however, was in on the joke and expressed gratitude towards Boone and his team. He even praised Boone's unique showmanship on Instagram, acknowledging his exceptional talent and expressing his awe at their collaboration. May had previously suffered a minor stroke and was unable to attend the second weekend performance, highlighting the humor and lightheartedness of Boone's tribute. The event became a viral sensation, showcasing Boone's ability to turn a potentially awkward situation into a memorable and humorous moment, while also paying respect to a true rock legend.