Few modern celebrity romances have ignited the internet quite like Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco’s relationship. What began quietly as a professional collaboration between a global pop icon and one of the music industry’s most powerful hitmakers slowly transformed into one of the most debated celebrity love stories of the decade.

To some, it’s a healing, friends-to-lovers fairy tale. To others, it’s a mismatched union clouded by red flags, fan outrage, and persistent rumors.

From secret dating in 2023 to a whirlwind engagement in 2024 and a romantic wedding in 2025, their journey has been followed obsessively—praised, criticized, dissected, and doubted at every turn.

This is the complete, chronological storyline of Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco’s relationship, including the romance, the backlash, the engagement, the marriage, and why so many people believe something isn’t quite right.

In This Post:

How Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco First Met: A Professional Beginning (2015–2019)

Long before romance entered the picture, Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco’s connection began in the recording studio.

In 2015, Benny Blanco—born Benjamin Levin—produced two tracks on Gomez’s critically successful album Revival:

• “Same Old Love”
  
• “Kill ’Em With Kindness”
  

At the time, their relationship was purely professional. Blanco was already an industry heavyweight, crafting hits for artists like Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Ed Sheeran, and Katy Perry, while Gomez was transitioning from Disney star to respected pop artist.

They crossed paths again in 2019 with “I Can’t Get Enough,” a reggaeton collaboration alongside Tainy and J Balvin. By all accounts, they were simply collaborators and friends—nothing more.

Behind the scenes, however, Blanco later admitted something surprising:
He had harbored a crush on Gomez for years but believed she “hated” him. He even tried to set her up with one of his friends, convinced there was no romantic future between them.

At the same time, Gomez was recovering from highly publicized relationships—most notably her emotionally turbulent on-again, off-again romance with Justin Bieber, which officially ended in 2018, and her brief relationship with The Weeknd in 2017.

When Friendship Turned Romantic: The Secret Relationship (Early–Mid 2023)

The turning point came in early 2023, when Blanco and Gomez reunited musically for her single “Single Soon,” released in August 2023.

This collaboration marked the moment when their long-standing friendship quietly evolved into something deeper.

By June 2023, the two had begun dating in complete secrecy. They kept their relationship hidden for nearly six months, navigating early trust issues shaped by Gomez’s past experiences. Blanco later revealed on Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast in 2025 that there were “a few almost-sabotages” early on, largely due to Gomez’s fear of getting hurt again.

Gomez—who has openly discussed living with bipolar disorder, lupus, and trauma from emotionally abusive relationships—has since said Blanco’s kindness and patience stood out immediately.

By December 2023, Gomez confirmed via Instagram comments that they had already been together for six months.

Friends close to the couple, including Only Murders in the Building co-star David Henrie, later shared that Blanco made Gomez feel “safe,” “empowered,” and genuinely supported for the first time in years.

Selena Gomez Goes Public With Benny Blanco—and the Internet Explodes (December 2023)

On December 7, 2023, Selena Gomez officially went public.

She posted a casual selfie with Benny Blanco on Instagram—but the real moment happened in the comments. As criticism poured in, Gomez fiercely defended him, calling Blanco:

“My absolute everything in my heart… He’s still better than anyone I’ve ever been with.”

The backlash was immediate and intense.

Fans questioned his appearance, his past, and his association with Justin Bieber. Yet Gomez doubled down, making it clear she was done living for public approval.

Soon after, the couple began appearing together publicly—attending a Lakers game in January 2024, holding hands, and showing open affection.

Inside Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco’s Relationship in 2024

Throughout 2024, their relationship became increasingly visible—and increasingly polarizing.

In February 2024, Blanco went viral for gifting Gomez a bathtub filled with queso for Valentine’s Day. While some found it humorous, others called it “gross,” “wasteful,” and emblematic of his eccentric behavior.

In March 2024, the couple released “Sunset Blvd,” a song inspired by their earliest dates. Gomez later told Vanity Fair:

“I’ve never been loved this way. He’s my best friend.”

Blanco shared intimate details too—revealing that Gomez often arrived 30 minutes early to dates, sitting outside his house due to social anxiety.

However, controversy followed closely behind.

Old interviews resurfaced, including a 2020 comment where Blanco appeared to criticize “cookie-cutter pop stars” with makeup lines—widely interpreted as a dig at Gomez’s billion-dollar brand, Rare Beauty.

Fans also resurfaced old social media posts, questionable humor, and his past work with Justin Bieber, fueling distrust.

Still, Gomez remained unwavering in her defense.

Engagement Announcement and Immediate Backlash (December 2024)

On December 11, 2024, Selena Gomez announced her engagement.

She shared photos of her marquise-cut diamond ring, her favorite shape. Benny Blanco commented:

“Hey wait… that’s my wife.”

Instead of universal celebration, the internet erupted.

Old videos, inappropriate posts, and rumors resurfaced. Some fans labeled Blanco a “pig,” questioned his character, and reignited “lavender marriage” theories, claiming the engagement was a PR move to cover alleged rumors about his sexuality.

By early 2026, Gomez had reportedly lost over 2 million Instagram followers since going public with the relationship.

Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco’s Wedding: A Dream Ceremony With Lingering Drama (September 2025)

On September 27, 2025, the couple married at Sea Crest Nursery near Santa Barbara, California—nine months after their engagement.

The ceremony blended Christmas and Hanukkah themes, complete with multiple decorated trees. Blanco described Gomez as a “real-life Disney princess.”

Yet even during their honeymoon, controversy followed. Gomez reportedly liked posts criticizing Blanco’s ex, sparking new drama.

Their first appearance as a married couple came at the 2026 Golden Globes, where they were photographed cuddling and holding hands.

Why Fans Believe Benny Blanco Doesn’t Deserve Selena Gomez

Despite Selena Gomez repeatedly and emphatically stating that she is “the happiest she’s ever been,” a significant portion of the internet remains unconvinced. The skepticism surrounding her marriage to Benny Blanco did not emerge overnight—it has been building steadily since the couple first went public, intensifying after their engagement and wedding.

What makes this backlash unique is not a single scandal, but a cumulative narrative constructed by fan culture, social media analysis, and viral clips that are repeatedly replayed, slowed down, and scrutinized for hidden meaning.

Below are the core reasons fans cite when arguing that Benny Blanco “doesn’t deserve” Selena Gomez.

1. Appearance-Based Criticism and the “Dating Down” Narrative

One of the most persistent—and controversial—arguments revolves around appearance and perceived status.

Benny Blanco does not fit the conventional “leading man” or celebrity heartthrob archetype. In contrast, Selena Gomez has long been framed as a global beauty icon, former Disney star, and billionaire entrepreneur through Rare Beauty. This contrast has fueled an aggressive online narrative claiming Gomez is “dating down.”

Across platforms like X, Reddit, and TikTok:

• Fans mock Blanco’s looks
  
• Derogatory nicknames and memes circulate widely
  
• Threads describe the relationship as “uneven” or “unbalanced”
  

While Blanco has occasionally joked about the criticism himself, fans interpret the dynamic as symbolic—arguing that Gomez, after years of public heartbreak, somehow “settled” for someone they deem unworthy of her image, fame, or perceived value.

This narrative persists despite Gomez’s repeated insistence that emotional safety and kindness matter more to her than optics.

2. Past Controversies and Questions About Maturity

Another major source of skepticism stems from Benny Blanco’s past public behavior, which fans continue to resurface.

Critics frequently point to:

• A 2020 interview in which Blanco made dismissive comments about “cookie-cutter pop stars” with makeup lines—widely interpreted by fans as shading Gomez’s Rare Beauty brand
  
• Old social media posts and videos described by fans as “inappropriate,” “crass,” or “immature”
  
• His long-standing professional association with Justin Bieber, which heightens suspicion among Gomez’s most protective supporters
  

Additionally, online discussions frequently reference rumors of drug use and erratic humor, though these remain speculative and unproven. Still, within fan spaces, these elements are woven into a broader argument that Blanco lacks the emotional maturity expected of a long-term partner for someone with Gomez’s history and vulnerability.

To critics, these resurfaced moments contradict the image of a stable, grounding presence—an image Gomez herself insists is accurate.

3. PR Relationship and “Lavender Marriage” Theories

Perhaps the most polarizing claims come from PR and lavender marriage theories, which gained traction after the couple’s engagement in December 2024.

Some fans argue:

• The relationship benefits Blanco’s public profile
  
• Gomez lost more than 2 million Instagram followers after going public, which they interpret as backlash rather than organic attrition
  
• Industry timing—new music, a joint album, major interviews—appears “strategic”
  

On X and YouTube, conspiracy-driven posts claim the marriage is staged or designed to distract from other narratives. Some go further, alleging the relationship serves as cover for rumors about Blanco’s sexuality—claims that are speculative and unsupported, but nonetheless widely circulated.

These theories persist largely because of fan distrust toward Hollywood PR machinery and Gomez’s long history of being perceived as manipulated by the industry.

4. Perceived Unhappiness and Body Language Analysis

After the wedding in September 2025, scrutiny intensified rather than subsided.

Fans began dissecting:

• Facial expressions
  
• Body positioning
  
• Tone of voice
  
• Who walks ahead of whom
  
• Who initiates physical affection
  

Short clips from red carpets, paparazzi footage, and casual outings were labeled “awkward,” “forced,” or “off.” TikTok creators produced slow-motion breakdowns suggesting mismatched energy or emotional distance.

While no concrete evidence of marital trouble exists, the contrast between Gomez’s verbal declarations of happiness and fans’ interpretation of visual cues has fueled ongoing doubt.

Viral Clips Accusing Benny Blanco of Rude or Careless Behavior Toward Selena Gomez

Several widely circulated videos have become cornerstones of the backlash narrative—not because of what is definitively proven, but because of how they are interpreted.

Car Exit and Entry Videos (November 2025)

One resurfaced paparazzi clip shows Benny Blanco exiting a car first, walking ahead of Gomez, and appearing to nearly close the door before she exits. Another shows him entering the vehicle before her.

Fans labeled the behavior:

• “Unchivalrous”
  
• “Dismissive”
  
• “High school boyfriend energy”
  

The clips went viral, spawning thousands of comments accusing Blanco of lacking basic courtesy. Blanco later downplayed the moment, but the footage remains frequently cited as evidence of carelessness.

Public Outings Where He Appears Distracted

Other videos show Blanco seemingly absorbed in his surroundings—looking away, walking ahead, or appearing disengaged during outings with Gomez.

TikTok commentators have described these moments as:

• “Ignoring her”
  
• “Being in his own world”
  
• “Not emotionally present”
  

While these interpretations are subjective, repetition has cemented them into a perceived pattern for critics.

Shoes-Off Date Night (January 2024)

During a public date in January 2024, Blanco removed his shoes, a moment that quickly went viral. While some viewed it as quirky or harmless, others framed it as disrespectful and emblematic of a lack of social awareness—particularly when paired with Gomez’s polished public image.

Allegedly Awkward Red Carpet Moments (2025–2026)

At high-profile events, including the Golden Globes, fans pointed to moments where:

• Blanco appeared less engaged
  
• Physical affection looked mismatched
  
• Gomez seemed more emotionally expressive than her husband
  

Body-language “experts” on social media used these clips to speculate about trouble, even suggesting early divorce rumors.

A Modern Celebrity Love Story Under a Microscope

At its core, Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco’s relationship is a study in modern celebrity culture.

To some, it’s a story of healing and unconditional support. To others, it’s a troubling mismatch shaped by insecurity, public pressure, and unresolved trauma.

As of January 2026, the couple appears united—vacationing together and sharing joyful moments. Whether their marriage proves lasting or turbulent, one truth remains:

Few celebrity relationships have revealed more about fandom, projection, and public obsession than this one.

And for now, the world continues to watch.