Benny Blanco is an American record producer and songwriter best known for the 2018 hit “Eastside” with Halsey and Khalid.
He began as a protégé of producer Dr. Luke and has since worked with stars like Katy Perry, Ed Sheeran, and Justin Bieber.
Who is Benny Blanco?
Benny Blanco’s real name is Benjamin Joseph Levin. He was born in Reston, Virginia.
Blanco co-wrote and co-produced hits like “Teenage Dream,” “TiK ToK,” and “Moves Like Jagger.” In 2018, he stepped forward as a lead artist with “Eastside.”
Few producers have had as many chart-topping songs.
He also runs labels under Interscope Records. Fans know him too for his cooking shows, his podcast, and his two books.
Blanco married singer and actress Selena Gomez on September 27, 2025. The couple released a joint album, I Said I Love You First, earlier that year.
Early Life of Benny Blanco
Benny Blanco was born Benjamin Joseph Levin on March 8, 1988. He grew up in Reston, Virginia. His parents are Sandra and Andrew Levin.
As a child, he attended Camp Airy in Thurmont, Maryland, for many years. There he performed and hosted a radio show under the name “Ebba Ebba.”
Music was already part of his world.
Blanco made hip-hop beats in his bedroom and rapped over them. Later, he made many trips from Virginia to New York City to meet labels and producers.
Benny Blanco Age / Birthday
Benny Blanco is 38 years old as of 2026, born on March 8, 1988. His zodiac sign is Pisces, a sign often linked with creativity and imagination.
Blanco is still active as a producer, artist, podcaster, and author.
Benny Blanco Ethnicity and Nationality
Blanco is American by nationality. His heritage is Jewish.
Virginia is where he was born and raised.
Benny Blanco Height
Benny Blanco is reportedly about 5 feet 9 inches tall. That is 1.75 meters. His weight is around 66.9 kg or 147.5 lbs.
Fans know him for his thick brown curls. In March 2025, he also plucked his famous unibrow in a TikTok video.
His look is as well known as his music.
Selena Gomez appeared in the video and directed the process. “Do it light, because I love him,” she said.
Benny Blanco Musical Style and Influences
Blanco started out making hip-hop beats. He recorded his own rap vocals over them.
His first serious exposure to music came in 1994, when he was six years old. He listened to “The World Is Yours” by Nas and “I Swear” by All-4-One on cassette tapes.
Those two songs shaped his early sound.
His stage name comes from a character in the 1993 film Carlito’s Way. John Leguizamo played the role, and the name was a nod to Blanco being a white rapper.
Over time, his sound moved into pop and later into Latin pop. His 2024 song “Degenere” with Myke Towers reached number one on the Latin Pop chart.
Benny Blanco Career
Early Career (2007–2009)
Blanco teamed up with Baltimore rapper Spank Rock in 2007 for the EP Bangers & Cash. It drew praise from outlets like Rolling Stone and Pitchfork.
He then won an apprenticeship with producer Disco D. Later, Dr. Luke mentored him and signed him to Kasz Money Productions.
That deal opened the door to pop radio.
In 2008, he helped write and produce Britney Spears’ “Circus.” The song reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100.
Breakthrough Hits (2010–2017)
Under Dr. Luke, Blanco worked on Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream,” Kesha’s “TiK ToK,” and Taio Cruz’s “Dynamite.”
In 2011, he wrote and produced his first charting hits without Dr. Luke. Those included “Moves Like Jagger” by Maroon 5 and “Stereo Hearts” by Gym Class Heroes.
On June 13, 2013, he received the Hal David Starlight Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He joked that “they picked the wrong person.”
In 2014, he launched Mad Love Records and Friends Keep Secrets as imprints of Interscope. Later hits included Justin Bieber’s “Love Yourself” and Ed Sheeran’s “Castle on the Hill.”
By then, his name was well known across the industry.
Lead Artist Era (2018–2024)
In July 2018, Blanco released “Eastside” with Halsey and Khalid. The song peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the charts in the United Kingdom.
His debut album, Friends Keep Secrets, came out on December 7, 2018. He followed it with “Lonely” alongside Justin Bieber in 2020 and “Bad Decisions” with BTS and Snoop Dogg in 2022.
He also grew into a TV and online personality.
In 2020, he played a version of himself on the FXX series Dave. That same year, he launched a cooking show with chef Matty Matheson.
In April 2024, he published the cookbook Open Wide: A Cookbook for Friends with Jess Damuck.
Recent Work (2025–Present)
Blanco and Selena Gomez released I Said I Love You First on March 21, 2025. The album reached number two on the US Billboard 200.
Their song “Ojos Tristes” with The Marías hit number one on the overall Latin chart in August 2025. In November 2025, “Bluest Flame” earned a Grammy nomination for Best Dance Pop Recording.
He then turned toward Latin music.
His second studio album, Hermoso, was released on August 14, 2026.
In February 2026, he launched the podcast Friends Keep Secrets with Lil Dicky and Kristin Batalucco. April brought an appearance as himself on Netflix‘s Beef.
His second book, F*ck Failure, came out on September 15, 2026.
Benny Blanco Discography
Blanco has released two studio albums and a joint album with Selena Gomez. His first EP came out in 2007.
| Title | Year | Label | US Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangers & Cash (EP, with Spank Rock) | 2007 | Downtown | None |
| Friends Keep Secrets | 2018 | Friends Keep Secrets, Interscope | 41 |
| Friends Keep Secrets 2 (reissue) | 2021 | Friends Keep Secrets, Interscope | None |
| I Said I Love You First (with Selena Gomez) | 2025 | SMG Music LLC, Friends Keep Secrets, Interscope | 2 |
| Hermoso | 2026 | Friends Keep Secrets, Interscope | None |
Several singles also did well. “Eastside” was certified seven times platinum in the United States.
Those results made him a true chart name as an artist.
Benny Blanco Awards and Recognition
Blanco has won major honors as a songwriter and producer. The Grammy Awards have nominated him eleven times.
| Year | Award | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | BMI Pop Songwriter of the Year | Benny Blanco | Won |
| 2012 | BMI Song of the Year | “Moves Like Jagger” | Won |
| 2013 | Hal David Starlight Award | Benny Blanco | Won |
| 2017 | iHeartRadio Producer of the Year | Benny Blanco | Won |
| 2017 | Grammy, Producer of the Year, Non-Classical | Benny Blanco | Nominated |
| 2018 | Spotify Secret Genius Award, Pop | Benny Blanco | Won |
| 2019 | iHeartRadio Titanium Award | “Eastside” | Won |
| 2024 | BMI President’s Award | Benny Blanco | Won |
| 2025 | Billboard Latin Music Award, Crossover Artist of the Year | Benny Blanco | Won |
| 2026 | Grammy, Best Dance Pop Recording | “Bluest Flame” | Nominated |
Overall, he has won five BMI Songwriter of the Year awards. Blanco also took home Producer of the Year at the iHeartRadio Music Awards.
In 2017, he was also nominated for a Golden Globe for “Faith” by Stevie Wonder and Ariana Grande.
Few producers collect honors across so many years.
Benny Blanco Religion
Benny Blanco is Jewish. Of Jewish descent, he grew up in Virginia.
Many of his childhood years were spent at Camp Airy in Thurmont, Maryland. There, he performed and hosted a radio show as a kid.
His heritage has stayed part of his life as an adult.
In April 2024, Blanco and Selena Gomez attended a Passover Seder together.
Benny Blanco Haircut
Benny Blanco is known for his thick, dark curls. In June 2026, his hair became a big topic online.
On June 9, Jennifer Aniston styled his hair in a video for her LolaVie hair care line. Selena Gomez also appeared in the ad. Blanco said his curls felt the softest they had ever been.
Then came a much bigger surprise.
Later that month, he appeared on Complex‘s GOAT Talk with Lil Dicky. One side of his head looked completely shaved, while the other kept its curls.
The look was not real. Makeup artist Lili Eve Kaytmaz built a bald cap for the shoot. The stunt helped promote his new book, F*ck Failure.
Benny Blanco Wife
Benny Blanco is married to Selena Gomez, a singer, actress, and producer. They wed on September 27, 2025, at the Sea Crest Nursery in Santa Barbara, California.
The two first worked together on the 2019 song “I Can’t Get Enough.” They have been a couple since June 2023 and announced their engagement on December 11, 2024.
Gomez shared the wedding news on Instagram with the caption “9.27.25.” Her white halter dress and his tuxedo were custom-made by Ralph Lauren.
Photographer Petra Collins took the wedding photos. Gomez’s Only Murders in the Building co-star Martin Short accidentally ate part of the wedding cake before the cake-cutting.
The couple marked their first anniversary on September 27, 2026. They ate their frozen leftover wedding cake, a tradition tied to Gomez’s grandmother.
Before Gomez, Blanco reportedly dated model and actress Elsie Hewitt. Their love story has played out in songs, photos, and a shared album.
Benny Blanco Net Worth
Benny Blanco’s estimated net worth is $50 million as of 2026. His income comes mainly from songwriting, production, and his music catalog.
He also earns money from his record labels and media projects. These include his books, shows, and podcast.
He has turned hit songs into long-term wealth.
Catalog Sale
In 2019, Blanco sold 93 songs from his catalog to Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited. The price was not made public.
Real Estate
In 2011, Blanco paid $3.445 million for a condo in New York City’s Chelsea area. A West Hollywood home followed in 2015 for $2.13 million.
By January 2020, he had bought a $9.2 million mansion in the Hollywood Hills.
In February 2025, he and Selena Gomez reportedly paid $35 million for a home in Beverly Hills.
Benny Blanco Social Media
Benny Blanco shares music, jokes, and cooking clips on Instagram and TikTok. His handle on both is @itsbennyblanco.
A TikTok eyebrow video from March 23, 2025, drew wide attention. In 2026, Blanco also used TikTok to joke about his half-shaved look.
He often leans into humor online.
Blanco also runs his own YouTube channel, where he posts cooking shows with chef Matty Matheson. His official site is benny-blanco.com.
Conclusion
Benny Blanco went from making beats in his bedroom to shaping some of the biggest songs in pop.
His work, his marriage to Selena Gomez, and his playful online style keep him in the spotlight.