Butterflies weren’t the only thing pop star Selena Gomez felt when she first locked lips with her longtime beau, and now fiancé, Benny Blanco.
During a rare joint interview on the Table Manners With Jessie And Lennie Ware podcast on April 30, 2025, the newly engaged lovebirds got candid about the memorable and unexpectedly funny story behind their first kiss.
What started as a sweet, romantic moment between Selena and Benny quickly took a surprising turn due to the Sunset Blvd singer’s nerves. Recalling the moment, Blanco shared,
“We were just sitting in the living room on the couch. And we were playing We’re Not Really Strangers. And there was a thing where it said, ‘take a selfie with the person next to you’. And… she got right on my chest and took a selfie. And then right after, I just looked at her and I said, I gotta kiss this girl. And I kissed her right away”.
But the real twist came right after the smooch. Benny revealed Selena’s unexpected reaction, saying,
“And right away, her heart started beating so quickly, and she started getting a rash on her face. And she was so nervous…”
Selena Gets Real About Her Unexpected Reaction To Their First Kiss
The I Said I Love You First singer quickly chimed in, cutting in with her side of the story to explain exactly why she broke out in a rash after their intimate moment. Defending herself, Selena shared,
“I hadn’t liked anyone in a very long time. And then when you feel something behind a kiss, it’s completely different. And I’d been alone for about five years, with the exception of a few shitty dates here and there… And I was a little embarrassed, but… I was like, no, no, I’m fine”.
The couple’s candid confessions came just hours after rumors of tension began swirling. Multiple reports claimed that the Only Murders In The Building star had quietly unfollowed one of her closest friends and longtime assistant, Theresa Marie, on Instagram.
Fueling the speculation, a now-viral clip surfaced showing Benny dining out alone with Theresa. Notably, he still follows her on social media.
.@SelenaGomez has unfollowed her best friend and assistant Theresa Marie on Instagram. pic.twitter.com/lbBP7rwk4c
— Selena Gomez Analytics (@GomezAnalytics) April 27, 2025
Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco began dating in December 2023, and a year later, in December 2024, Gomez announced their engagement on Instagram.
The couple was last spotted on a date night on April 9, 2025, attending the New York Knicks’ intense showdown against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden. Seated side by side, they posed for an adorable snap shared by the Knicks’ official X account.
In the photo, Benny sweetly placed both hands on Selena’s thighs, while she wrapped one arm around him and rested her other hand on her cheek, flashing her stunning marquise-cut engagement ring.
couple of love birds in @TheGarden @selenagomez 🧡💙 @ItsBennyBlanco pic.twitter.com/G0ILaw0fcJ
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 9, 2025
Fans Unimpressed By Selena And Benny’s Latest Confession
The online reaction to the couple’s seemingly sweet first kiss story was far from warm. Many social media users slammed their romance, with several harshly targeting Benny’s physical appearance. Some such comments online read,
“Benny Blanco looks like he smells of sweat and cheese”.
“How awful sounding. What is wrong with her if this is true?”
“Hope she wakes up before it’s too late!
”
With the couple’s sweet yet awkward first kiss now public, it’s clear that their romance is already a topic of much debate among fans, but will they be able to rise above the negativity?