Who is Benny Blanco? He is an American record producer and songwriter behind some of the biggest pop hits of the last two decades, and since September 2025 he has been the husband of Selena Gomez. Born Benjamin Joseph Levin on March 8, 1988, in Reston, Virginia, he has worked with stars including Katy Perry, Kesha, Maroon 5, Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber.
In this profile we decode who Benny Blanco is: how a teenage beatmaker from Virginia became a hitmaker, the songs he is best known for, how his friendship with Selena Gomez turned into marriage and what the couple is working on now.
Benny Blanco at a glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Real name | Benjamin Joseph Levin |
| Born | March 8, 1988, Reston, Virginia, USA |
| Job | Record producer, songwriter and artist |
| Known for | Hits for Katy Perry, Kesha, Maroon 5 and Ed Sheeran |
| Spouse | Selena Gomez (married September 2025) |
| Joint album | I Said I Love You First (2025) |
| Zodiac sign | Pisces |
Early life
Benny grew up in Reston, a suburb of Washington, D.C., in a Jewish family. He became obsessed with hip-hop as a kid and started making beats on his computer when he was still in school. He spent his teenage years sending his music to anyone who might listen and travelling to New York to meet people in the industry.
He has said he was not a good student and knew very early that music was the only thing he wanted to do. After high school, he moved to New York to try to make it as a producer.
Where does the name Benny Blanco come from?
Benny Blanco is a stage name. Benny is a short form of his first name, Benjamin, and Blanco is a playful nickname he picked up as a young producer working in hip-hop. It stuck, and it is now the name on all of his credits and records.
How he became a hitmaker
In New York, Benny met the producer Dr. Luke, who took him on as a protege. Working together in the late 2000s, they co-wrote and produced a string of huge hits. Benny’s mix of hip-hop beats and catchy pop melodies helped define the sound of pop radio at the time.
| Song | Artist | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Hot n Cold | Katy Perry | 2008 |
| Circus | Britney Spears | 2008 |
| Tik Tok | Kesha | 2009 |
| California Gurls | Katy Perry | 2010 |
| Teenage Dream | Katy Perry | 2010 |
| Moves Like Jagger | Maroon 5 with Christina Aguilera | 2011 |
| Don’t | Ed Sheeran | 2014 |
| Love Yourself | Justin Bieber | 2015 |
Many of these songs reached number one in several countries, and Benny was still in his early twenties when most of them came out. Later in his career he became known for working closely with artists such as Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber, and for writing songs that feel simple and personal.
Benny Blanco as an artist
In 2018, Benny started releasing music under his own name, inviting other singers to perform on his tracks. His first big single, Eastside, featured Halsey and Khalid and became a global hit. The same year he released his debut album, Friends Keep Secrets.
- Eastside with Halsey and Khalid (2018)
- I Found You with Calvin Harris (2018)
- I Can’t Get Enough with Selena Gomez, Tainy and J Balvin (2019)
- Lonely with Justin Bieber (2020)
Friendship with Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber
Two of Benny’s most important creative partnerships are with Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber. He produced Ed’s 2014 single Don’t and co-wrote Love Yourself with Ed and Justin, a song that became one of the biggest hits of 2015 and 2016 and earned Grammy nominations. Benny and Ed are also close friends and often appear together on social media.
With Justin, Benny later released Lonely in 2020, a quiet piano ballad about the pressures of growing up famous. Many critics called it one of the most personal songs of Justin’s career, and it showed a softer side of Benny’s production style than his loud early pop hits.
How Benny Blanco makes a hit
Benny has explained in interviews that he cares more about feelings than technical perfection. He likes to start with a simple idea, a phrase or a melody that is easy to sing, and build the song around it. He also says he does not play many instruments well, and that his real talent is knowing when something works.
He is known for creating a relaxed, fun atmosphere in the studio, often cooking for the artists he works with. Many singers have said that working with him feels more like hanging out with a friend than going to a recording session, which helps them write more honest songs.
Food, humour and social media
Outside music, Benny is famous for his love of food. He regularly posts cooking videos and restaurant reviews, and food is a running theme of his public personality. His relaxed sense of humour, from turning up barefoot at events to joking about himself on podcasts, has made him a popular guest on talk shows. Selena often joins in, sharing funny moments from their life together, and fans love the playful way the two tease each other online.
His long history with Selena Gomez
Benny and Selena knew each other professionally for years before they became a couple. He co-produced her 2015 hit Same Old Love, and they worked together again on I Can’t Get Enough in 2019 and on her 2023 single Single Soon.
Their romance became public in December 2023, when Selena confirmed on social media that they were dating. She described him as the best thing that had ever happened to her, and fans quickly noticed how relaxed and happy she looked with him.
Benny Blanco and Selena Gomez relationship timeline
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2015 | Works on Selena’s hit Same Old Love |
| 2019 | Releases I Can’t Get Enough with Selena |
| December 2023 | Selena confirms they are dating |
| December 2024 | The couple announce their engagement |
| March 2025 | They release their joint album I Said I Love You First |
| September 2025 | They marry in Santa Barbara, California |
| January 2026 | Attend the Golden Globes together as newlyweds |
The wedding
Benny and Selena married in September 2025 in Santa Barbara, California, in front of close to 200 guests, including many famous friends. Selena shared the news on Instagram with photos of the couple from the day.
Their joint album, I Said I Love You First, had come out six months earlier. It was written while they were engaged and many of its songs are about their relationship, which made it feel like a public celebration of their romance.
Benny Blanco and Selena Gomez age difference
Benny was born on March 8, 1988, and Selena on July 22, 1992, so Benny is about four years and four months older than his wife. In 2026, Benny is 38 and Selena is 34. Both have been working in entertainment since they were teenagers, Selena as a Disney Channel actress and Benny as a young producer.
What is Benny Blanco doing in 2026?
In 2026, Benny has been preparing a new album called Hermoso, which is expected to include collaborations with Latin artists and a guest appearance from Selena. The couple have also continued to appear together at major events, including the Golden Globes in January.
He is famous for his funny, unfiltered personality, including his love of food and his habit of turning up barefoot. He has also said in interviews that he refuses to share private details about his marriage, calling it a matter of respect for his wife.
Frequently asked questions
What is Benny Blanco’s real name?
His real name is Benjamin Joseph Levin.
How old is Benny Blanco?
He was born on March 8, 1988, which makes him 38 years old in 2026.
When did Benny Blanco and Selena Gomez get married?
They married in September 2025 in Santa Barbara, California.
What songs has Benny Blanco produced?
His credits include Tik Tok by Kesha, Teenage Dream and California Gurls by Katy Perry, Moves Like Jagger by Maroon 5 and Love Yourself by Justin Bieber.
How long have Benny Blanco and Selena Gomez been together?
They went public in December 2023, but they had worked together on music since 2015.
Did Benny Blanco and Selena Gomez release music together?
Yes. They released a joint album, I Said I Love You First, in March 2025, and Selena is expected to appear on his new album Hermoso.
Where is Benny Blanco from?
He grew up in Reston, Virginia, near Washington, D.C.
Conclusion
Benny Blanco is Benjamin Joseph Levin, a producer from Virginia who helped write the soundtrack of the 2000s and 2010s, from Tik Tok to Moves Like Jagger. After years of making music with Selena Gomez, he became her partner in 2023 and her husband in 2025. With a joint album behind them and new music on the way, he is now as famous for his love story as for his hits.
Curious about other stage names? Look them up in our stage name decoder, or read more about famous couples in our partners and families section.
