Selena Gomez has reacted to her boyfriend Benny Blanco being nominated for the Sexiest Man Alive list.
The 36-year-old – whose real name is Benjamin Joseph Levin – will be included among several music and film industry heartthrobs in PEOPLE magazine’s forthcoming issue.
This year’s cover star will not only be chosen based on their physical attractiveness, but also their personality, charisma, and cultural impact.
Still, many fans were left surprised by Blanco’s inclusion in the annual issue and took to their social media to share their stunned responses.
“The rage and confusion that just went through my body when I thought Benny Blanco was being announced sexiest man alive… I’m gonna need a minute,” one person brutally wrote on X.
“Benny Blanco as sexiest man alive?? like… did they pull names out of a hat orrr,” a second joked. “Benny Blanco and sexiest man alive should never be in the same sentence,” a third savagely added.
Benny Blanco for PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive 2024 issue. pic.twitter.com/kMR1pR90wf
— Pop Base (@PopBase) November 11, 2024
However, it wasn’t all criticism as many users shared that they support the Grammy-winning songwriter’s feature on the list.
“Yall roasting Benny Blanco bc he pulled a baddie in Selena Gomez & yall think the word SEXY is based off looks,” one person blasted. “He’s a musician and good at it and he cooks various dishes on top of being a decent person. Leave this man alone.”
A second shared: “Can’t argue with that choice! He’s got the talent and the charm to match,” with a third added: “Well-deserved spotlight!”
Of course, Blanco’s biggest supporter, his girlfriend Selena Gomez, also chimed in.
The 32-year-old singer took to her Instagram Stories to repost one of the photos from the magazine, which saw her boyfriend lying on a table with pizza and a margarita in front of him.
“Not only do you love me unconditionally, you always get me my Taco Bell Mexican pizza,” she sweetly penned underneath the snap.
She also tagged Blanco in her second story, where she shared a quote from William C. Hannan that read: “I still haven’t figured out how to sit across from you, and not be madly in love with everything you do.”
The couple started dating midway through 2023, keeping their relationship out of the spotlight for several months before going public.
During his interview with PEOPLE, Blanco revealed that he’d learned how to make his own version of Taco Bell’s signature meat because the ‘Same Old Love’ hitmaker loves it so much.
“[I learned how to] recreate Taco Bell meat. I’ve practiced a lot, and I think it’s pretty indistinguishable now if you put them side by side. There’s so many things you have to do. Part of the meat is kind of blended. It’s disgusting, but it’s delicious. I do it all from scratch,” he said.
“Even if you’re terrible at cooking, [your partner will] like it because you did it. Ask your partner what they want to eat. Don’t try to cook them what you want to eat. If you don’t know how to cook it — learn it,” he advised.
The ‘Lonely’ producer also referred to the Only Murders In The Building actress as his “best friend,” adding: “I’m a real morning person. It’s my favorite time to spend with Sel, because we both wake up really early.
“It’s like our moment before the rest of the world wakes up,” he continued. “I have a true best friend that I get to do everything in the world with, and every day is the best day of my life.”
