Benny Blanco has recently found himself at the centre of social media chatter regarding his personal hygiene, following the release of the first episode of his podcast “Friends Keep Secrets.” The episode, which aired on 24 February, showcased Blanco sitting on a couch with his feet clearly visible, leading viewers to notice their decidedly unclean appearance. The reaction online was swift, with many users openly critiquing the state of his feet in the comments section on YouTube.
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In the most recent episode of his podcast, released on 10 March, the music producer addressed the backlash in a light-hearted yet candid manner. Blanco engaged in a conversation with his frequent collaborator Ed Sheeran, actor Lil Dicky, and Dicky’s wife, Kristin Batalucco, revealing details about his bathing routine. When asked if he showers daily, Sheeran, 35, revealed that he often cleanses twice a day. This prompted Blanco to respond with humorous incredulity, playfully suggesting that he also gives off an unkempt impression.
Despite the recent scrutiny, Blanco confidently declared, “I know, I smell good,” expressing a degree of pride in his scent as a source of amusement among the guests. Batalucco and Burd, the latter better known by his stage name Lil Dicky, confirmed this, with Burd reflecting that others have described his own natural aroma in a way that was, at best, ambiguous. “They said it’s not good or bad. You have a smell,” he recounted, a notion that left him slightly unsettled.
The casual nature of their dialogue continued, with references to scent jokes and some eyebrow-raising moments, such as an invitation for Sheeran to smell various belly buttons. Sheeran made light of the situation, comparing one belly button’s scent unfavourably. Blanco chimed in with apparent confidence about his own, claiming it bore “no smell” at all.
Much of the attention surrounding this episode stemmed from the launch of the podcast, where Blanco’s visibly dirty feet were unavoidable. The audience took to social media, expressing a wide range of opinions—from humorous remarks about Blanco’s need for cleanliness to exaggerated reactions regarding his ‘filthy’ feet. One viewer cheekily remarked, “Good podcast, wash your feet Benny and wash the floors,” while another commented more endearingly, “BENNY!!!!! THEM DIRTY ASS FEET I FREAKING ADORE YOU.”
In the wake of the online comments, Blanco’s wife, Selena Gomez, expressed her affection in a heartwarming post on her Instagram Stories shortly after the podcast’s debut. Sharing a sweet video of the couple, she wrote, “I fall more and more in love with you every day my love,” seemingly undeterred by the chatter surrounding Blanco’s feet.
In a subsequent appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” alongside Burd, Blanco highlighted the enduring interest in his hygiene habits, cheekily addressing the situation with humour. When Kimmel displayed a photographic image of Blanco’s dirty feet, Blanco seized the moment, asserting that the blame lay with the venue rather than himself. “First of all, it’s the facility’s fault,” he insisted, while gleefully presenting his now clean foot to the camera.
Despite the playful banter, Blanco did take a moment during a 2024 interview with PEOPLE to reflect on his personal hygiene routine. He openly admitted that showering daily is not his standard practice and conveyed his belief in allowing the natural oils of the skin to thrive, stating, “I feel like the oils on your skin don’t have time to rejuvenate and get juicy,” implying that he encourages a more natural approach to cleanliness.
Overall, this light-hearted exchange showcases both Blanco’s candidness about his lifestyle choices and the playful camaraderie present amongst his peers in the music industry. As he navigates the ups and downs of social media scrutiny, it’s clear that Blanco maintains a sense of humour about it all, proving aware that when it comes to public perception, sometimes you have to just roll with the punches—especially when feet are involved.