Mr Viral
Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco Celebrate First Hanukkah as Engaged Couple in NYC
Selena Gomez’s heart wants what it wants.
And when she was younger, the Only Murders in the Building star’s heart was reserved for her two major celebrity crushes: Chad Michael Murray and Jesse McCartney.
In fact, she recalled a specific moment in 2004 when her crush on Jesse was at its height.
“When ‘Beautiful Soul’ came out—that was just life-changing for me,” Selena told W magazine in an interview published Jan. 3 before explaining where her other crush originated. “I loved Chad Michael Murray from One Tree Hill.”
And while those two names came to mind now, the 32-year-old admitted that she also fell for other heartthrobs—both onscreen and offscreen.
“When I was younger, I probably had too many crushes,” Selena continued. “I also just had crushes more in real life than on actors or musicians.”
Case in point: The “Same Old Love” singer previously admitted to being smitten with Cole Sprouse and a boy named Juan, sharing a video of her childhood bedroom showing that she’d written their names inside giant hearts on her wall.
Captioning the throwback post, Selena wrote, “Apparently my heart was very conflicted between Juan and Cole Sprouse when I was 11.”
And while her crush on Cole never turned into anything more, Selena did wind up having her first onscreen kiss with someone very similar while guest-starring on The Suite Life of Zack and Cody: Cole’s twin brother Dylan Sprouse.
Theo Wargo/Getty Images for FLC
“I actually leaned in to kiss him, and I had my eyes closed a little too early and I ended up missing, like, half of his lips,” the Wizards of Waverly Place alum told Twist magazine of the milestone moment. “So, it ended up being the most awkward kiss in the world. I was 12, so it was OK and it was good.”
Of course, these days, Selena’s heart belongs to her fiancé Benny Blanco, who she announced her engagement to in December 2024 following one year of dating.
And for the “Same Old Love” singer, their romance is so much more than a crush.
“It’s the safest that I feel, and it’s been really lovely,” Selena told Apple Music’s Zane Lowe in February 2024. “And I’ve only grown through it.”
For a deeper dive into Selena and Benny’s love story, keep reading.
Kevin Winter/WireImage / Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Rare Impact Fund
Blossoming Romance
Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco began dating in July 2023, around Selena’s birthday, Benny said on the Howard Stern Show in May 2024.
But they only began to spark romance rumors in late 2023. That December, Selena confirmed the speculation, commenting on a fan page’s Instagram post, regarding Benny, “He is my absolute everything in my heart.”
She continued, “Why has he been the best thing that’s ever happened to me. He’s still better than anyone I’ve ever been with.”
The Rare Beauty founder also shared a photo on her Instagram Story of her leaning her head on what looked to be Benny’s chest.
Instagram/@selenagomez
With This Ring…
Selena later shared this pic on her Instagram Stories, which shows her wearing a bejeweled “B” ring.
Instagram/@selenagomez
That Kiss
…including a pic of the two kissing.
Instagram / Selena Gomez
Quality Time
Also in December 2023, Selena shared several photos of herself hanging out in New York City with Benny and their friends.i
Instagram, Selena Gomez
Appreciating Art
Two days after Christmas 2023, Selena shared new pics of the couple at what appeared to be an art exhibit.
Instagram / Selena Gomez
PDA Alert
Selena posted this pic of herself and Benny one day before New Year’s Eve 2023.
Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images
Slam Dunk Date Night
The pair attended the Los Angeles Lakers’ home game against the Miami Heat in January 2024.
Instagram/Selena Gomez
Can’t Keep Their Hands to Themselves
The couple packed on PDA in this February 2024 snapshot.
Instagram / Selena Gomez
Happy Birthday Benny
Selena shared a tribute to her boyfriend on his 36th birthday in March 2024.
Instagram / Selena Gomez
Birthday Tribute
“Happy birthday baby!” Selena wrote on her Instagram. “Your emotional endurance, positive disposition, unbelievable talent (that blows me away), undeniable humor and loving, kind heart absolutely kill me. I love you @itsbennyblanco.”
Instagram / Selena Gomez
PDA Alert
Selena included this kissing pic in her birthday tribute to Benny.
Instagram / Selena Gomez
Naughty PDA Alert
…and these couple’s pics as well.
Instagram/Selena Gomez
Open Book
Selena celebrated the release of Benny’s Open Wide in April 2024, captioning photos of the pair enjoying a cake shaped like his cookbook, “So proud.”
Instagram / Selena Gomez
Happy Fourth of July
Selena shared this pic of the two on Independence Day 2024.
TikTok / Selena Gomez
Who Said “I Love You” First?
In July 2024, just ahead of their first dating anniversary, the two answered a viral “Who’s Most Likely To” TikTok challenge, during which they were asked who was the first to say “I love you” to the other person. The answer? Selena.
Getting Cozy
Selena and Benny cuddled up in cute photos in July 2024 following her 32nd birthday.
Night Adventures
The actress captioned a gallery of summer photos, “Thank you for sharing your life with me today and everyday.”
Beach Babes
The musicians soaked up the sun together on lounge chairs.
Dinner Date
Selena shared a silly pic of the two enjoying a bite.
Summer of Love
They’re just loving each other like a love song, baby.
Incognito
The two were bundled up with masks on during one of their outings.
Pucker Up!
In another snap, Selena wore Benny’s beanie as they pursed their lips for the camera.
Not Single Soon
The “Eastside” artist gave Selena a kiss on the cheek in a sweet summer snap in July 2024.
Good for You
He wrapped his arms around her in another adorable Instagram pic.
Instagram / Selena Gomez
She Said Yes!
“forever begins now,” Selena wrote in December 2024, while revealing their engagement. Benny quipped in the comments, “hey wait… that’s my wife.”
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