Benny Blanco has spoken candidly about the online scrutiny he faces as the partner of Selena Gomez, revealing that his reaction to criticism often surprises even the pop star herself.
During a conversation on his podcast Friends Keep Secrets, Blanco sat down with Barry Keoghan to discuss the harsh comments they have both received about their appearances while dating high-profile celebrities.
Facing Online Criticism
Keoghan, who previously dated Sabrina Carpenter, shared his experience with online trolling, saying he often faces negativity simply for how he looks.
Blanco echoed similar experiences, revealing that he has frequently been labeled “ugly” in viral posts circulating on social media.
Viral Posts and Public Reaction
The producer recalled a trending post that grouped him with Travis Kelce—fiancé of Taylor Swift—and Ethan Slater, sparking widespread online commentary.
“It’s like, ‘Which one of these ugly bastards would you want to date?’” Blanco said, describing the tone of such posts.
‘Thick Skin’ Approach
Despite the negativity, Blanco emphasized that he remains largely unaffected.
“I’m not a comments guy,” he said, adding that when he does come across criticism, it is often shared by friends who know he has “the thickest skin.”
Selena Gomez’s Reaction
Interestingly, Blanco revealed that Selena Gomez tends to be more impacted by the comments than he is.
“She’ll come to me and say, ‘I can’t believe how well you can cope,’” he shared, noting that she sometimes feels compelled to respond to online remarks.
Fame and Perspective
Blanco credited his resilience to years of working behind the scenes in the music industry before becoming widely recognized.
“I became really big in a certain field when I was 17 or 18… I didn’t become famous until 2020,” he explained. “When I got famous, I realized I didn’t really like this part of it.”