| Full Name | Benjamin Joseph Levin |
|---|---|
| Known As | Benny Blanco |
| Date of Birth | March 8, 1988 |
| Profession | Music Producer, Songwriter, Exec. |
| Notable Collaborations | Selena Gomez, Ed Sheeran, Halsey |
| Relationship Status (2025) | Engaged to Selena Gomez |
| instagram.com/itsbennyblanco |
Before it was ever told, what appeared to be a contemporary fairy tale nearly fell apart. Once on the verge of a quiet split, Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco are now the focus of admiration from fans who are devoted to their romantic and musical collaboration. On the surface, their relationship seemed remarkably solid—two seasoned professionals creating a creative life together. However, beneath the Photoshopped images and romantic album marketing was a reality that, for a while, felt like it would tear them apart.
The couple discussed their relationship and the intensely personal nature of their upcoming album, I Said I Love You First, which is set for release on March 21, in an interview with Rolling Stone in recent months. Gomez disclosed that she had said those important words first. The album is full of honesty and is interspersed with the same tension that characterized their first few months of dating—times when the excitement of connection was nearly overshadowed by the intensity of fame.
“At first, it felt like a necessary shield to keep the relationship private,” Blanco said with unexpected candor. He acknowledged that the scrutiny became too much to bear and said, “I definitely tried to keep it private for a while.” “I recall us talking about whether or not we wanted to continue dating.” Dating Gomez, whose life has been scrutinized since her adolescence, required a radical change of viewpoint for someone accustomed to working behind the scenes.
They were trying to shield the fragile emotional core from the harsh atmosphere of public opinion by keeping their relationship secret for the first six months. Ironically, though, the privacy also turned into a jail. “It was really difficult,” Blanco admitted. “I didn’t want to spend the entire date hiding in a car, wearing a mask, and having dinner inside with you.” His remarks reflected a common challenge faced by couples juggling excessive attention: striking a balance between the natural human need for intimacy and the outside influences that frequently skew it.
This relationship was a turning point in Gomez’s life. She had previously kept her romantic life private after her well-publicized relationships with Justin Bieber and The Weeknd, but she gradually started to share moments with Blanco. She told The Hollywood Reporter, “I think this is the safest relationship I’ve ever been in, and I see a future with this person.” Her decision to go public on Instagram in December 2023, when she shared a picture of a ring with the letter “B,” reflected that sentiment, which is grounded and subtly hopeful.
Originally valued at $3,000, that same ring—which has a remarkably sentimental value—was later sold for $12 as part of her “12 Days of Really Rare Stuff” campaign. The playful yet profoundly symbolic gesture symbolized her readiness to let go of public expectations and write her story according to her own terms.
The reality is layered with hesitancy, introspection, and purposeful pacing, even though many fans now view Gomez and Blanco as the ideal creative and romantic match. Blanco explained how he was already positive of one thing despite those early discussions about leaving: “I was so sure I was gonna marry her,” he said. “It’s just a completely different sensation.” That belief, which was conveyed without much fanfare, demonstrated the power of their modest beginnings, which ultimately developed into a common creative vision.
A larger change in celebrity culture is reflected in this developing relationship. In recent years, celebrities like Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift or Zendaya and Tom Holland have used publicity and privacy in incredibly calculated ways. They lessen the public’s desire to analyze every detail by providing controlled glimpses into their lives. “When you put a little bit out there, people are not as hungry to hunt you down,” Gomez said, acknowledging this herself.
These days, Blanco and Gomez share glimpses of their lives—queso-filled Valentine’s Day spreads, relaxed Taco Bell picnics—not as theatrical performances but as windows into a balanced existence. Gomez said, “We don’t need to explain everything, but we’re not trying to be secret anymore.” It seems especially intentional that the couple put their music first before organizing the wedding. “I really feel like this is such a special time,” Gomez clarified. We are able to fully express our feelings and put our all into [this album].
Despite being personal, their story also subtly criticizes how external forces continuously shape relationships in the modern world, whether or not they involve celebrities. Many couples feel compelled to publicly declare their love before it is even fully developed because social media defines milestones and validation. The deliberate pacing and groundedness of Blanco and Gomez’s slow progression feel like a welcome counterpoint to that tendency.
Additionally, it’s a unique instance of creative intimacy that resists pressure from the industry. Gomez and Blanco appear dedicated to building a lasting relationship, in contrast to others whose love lives have been sucked up by tabloid cycles or filtered through advertising campaigns. Blanco remarked, “It feels like we got engaged yesterday, but it also feels like we’ve been dating for 20 years.”
