Selena Gomez Details Having Bad Dates Before Benny Blanco Relationship

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Why Selena Gomez Doesn’t Want a First Dance With Benny Blanco at Their Wedding

Selena Gomez had to kiss a few frogs before meeting her prince.

The “Come and Get It” singer shared that she had to overcome a bleak dating period before starting her relationship with fiancé Benny Blanco.

"I hadn't liked anyone in a very long time," Selena, 32, said on the Table Manners with Jessie and Lennie Ware podcast April 30. "Some kisses are for fun, and then when you feel something behind a kiss, it's completely different.”

Selena—who had previously dated Justin Bieber and The Weeknd—admitted that after going on her first date with Benny, she finally felt a connection.

"And I'd been alone for about five years, with the exception of a few s--tty dates here and there,” she continued. “But never felt that way. And I was a little embarrassed."

After months of casual dating, the couple went public with their love in December 2023. And although they’ve both shared their own perspectives about their first date, both Selena and Benny agree it sealed the deal for their romantic history—even if they didn’t want to admit it.

“I didn’t want to be like, ‘I like you. I really like you,’” Selena said on the podcast, with Benny, 37, adding, “I never thought of her like that. Neither one of us did, we were always in relationships.”

And after hanging out with her other more and more, the “Eastside” hitmaker knew that Selena was the one, leading him to popping the question in December 2024.

Instagram/Selena Gomez

“We just started hanging out so much and it felt so natural,” Benny said . “And it’s gonna be so corny, but you know when people are like, ‘When you know you know?’ I’ve never felt so comfortable and yet on my toes at the same time.”

“Every day I was with her I was so excited for what was going to happen, yet so at ease with everything,” he added. “And I was like ‘Wow, I really truly met my soulmate.’”

Keep reading to look back at Selena and Benny’s romance…

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.

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Getting Cozy

Selena and Benny cuddled up in cute photos in July 2024 following her 32nd birthday.

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Night Adventures

The actress captioned a gallery of summer photos, "Thank you for sharing your life with me today and everyday."

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Beach Babes

The musicians soaked up the sun together on lounge chairs.

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Dinner Date

Selena shared a silly pic of the two enjoying a bite.

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Summer of Love

They're just loving each other like a love song, baby.

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Incognito

The two were bundled up with masks on during one of their outings.

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Pucker Up!

In another snap, Selena wore Benny's beanie as they pursed their lips for the camera.

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Not Single Soon

The "Eastside" artist gave Selena a kiss on the cheek in a sweet summer snap in July 2024.

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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."

Michael Buckner/GG2025/Penske Media via Getty Images

Golden Couple

The couple enjoyed a date night at the 2025 Golden Globes.

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