Who is Benny Blanco? All about Selena Gomez’s new boyfriend

Benny Blanco’s career as a music producer and songwriter has earned him many awards and A-list collaborations — as well as a connection to Selena Gomez.

Years after the duo first worked together on 2015’s “Same Old Love,” Gomez seemingly confirmed in December 2023 that she and Blanco are dating.

The actress commented, “Facts” on an Instagram post about their relationship before telling her followers she is the “happiest” she has been.

Gomez called her beau her “absolute everything” and “the best thing that’s ever happened” to her.

While the pop star has made headlines for many high-profile relationships over the years, her new man has stayed somewhat out of the spotlight.

From his family to his dating history, learn more about Blanco below.

His family

Blanco, whose real name is Benjamin Joseph Levin, was born in Reston, Va., in March 1988.

The Grammy nominee spoke to the New York Times in 2018 about his parents, Andrew Mark Levin and Sandra Beth Levin, saying his father had a career in the “intimate apparel business,” while his mother worked in assisted living.

Blanco has an older brother named Jeremy.

His career

Blanco described his early days in the music business to the Times as “Myspace hustling, sleeping on couches and pretending to be Jay-Z’s lawyer to get on the phone with label execs only to be hung up on.”

His career has since come a long way, as the songwriter has worked with Britney Spears, Kanye West, Ed Sheeran, Rihanna and more big names.

In addition, Blanco is a singer in his own right.

He made his debut behind the microphone with “Eastside” in 2018 alongside Halsey and Khalid. His first album, “Friends Keep Secrets,” was released that same year.

One of his two record labels has the same name. The other is called Mad Love Records.

Blanco has earned many accolades for his work, from winning the BMI Songwriter of the Year Award five times to being named iHeartRadio’s Producer of the Year in 2017.

His love life

Before Gomez went public with Blanco, he kept his love life under wraps.

He did, however, spark romance rumors with model Elise Hewitt in 2021 when he tweeted, “I have a girlfriend. She simply attends a different school.”

Blanco prefers laying low, telling the New York Times in 2018 that he “beat the system” because he “get[s] all the luxuries of being famous without actually being famous.”

His history with Gomez

Blanco has co-written many songs with Gomez, starting with “Same Old Love” and “Kill Em With Kindness” in 2015. Most recently, they collaborated on “Single Soon” in 2023.

The singers have also both lent their voices to “I Can’t Get Enough” with J Balvin and Tainy in 2019.

After sharing news of their romance, Gomez honored Blanco by showing off a diamond “B” ring on her left hand.

While it is unclear when the duo began dating, Blanco did attend Gomez’s 31st birthday celebration in July 2023.

Three months later, he supported the former Disney Channel star at her Rare Impact Fund Benefit.

Gomez also hinted at their connection when she told “Selena + Chef: Home for the Holidays” viewers in November 2023 that she had a “crush” and was “really happy.”

His Justin Bieber connection

Justin Bieber, who dated Gomez on and off from 2010 to 2018, has been friends with Blanco since 2009.

“I have seen this kid in every state,” Blanco told Variety in 2021. “He’s a good dude with a good heart. That’s essential to me. He’s also got one of the best pop voices, ever. He’s insane.”

Notably, Blanco has worked with more than one of Gomez’s exes, as he also collaborated with The Weeknd.