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Turns out, when Selena Gomez had her first kiss with Benny Blanco, her body had the most extra reaction: a full-on rash. Our girl broke out in hives, not because of bad skincare, a shellfish allergy, or some rogue-scented candle. It was pure, unfiltered nerves.
In a recent appearance on the "Table Manners" podcast with Jessie and Lennie Ware, the couple dished on the early sparks of their relationship. Benny described their first date as a scene from a rom-com shot on an iPhone.
The Rash Situation
Blanco recalled a simple, cozy night that escalated adorably. "We were playing 'We're Not Really Strangers,'" he said, name-dropping the infamous card game. One prompt told them to take a selfie together. Selena nestled against his chest for the pic, and that's when Benny decided to shoot his shot.
"I looked at her and said, 'I gotta kiss this girl,'" he explained. "Her heart started beating so quickly, and she started getting a rash on her face. She was so nervous," he said.
Podcast host Lennie Ware joked that Gomez might've been allergic to him. Blanco responded: "She was, yeah. I was so disgusting and repulsive." Kidding, of course. Because based on the rest of this love story, Selena was very much into whatever Benny was serving, even if it came with a side of dermatological drama.
Five Years of Meh
Selena didn't just confirm the rash; she got real about why it hit so hard. "I'd been alone for about five years," she said. "With the exception of a few s****y dates here and there, but never felt that way." She explained that it wasn't just a kiss. It was the kiss. "So some kisses are for fun, and then when you feel something behind a kiss, it's completely different. I was a little embarrassed."
For Selena, that reaction was the beginning of something real and rash-worthy.
From Rashy Romance to Ring-Bling Royalty
Since that itchy but iconic kiss, things have only gotten more serious. In December 2024, Selena and Benny got engaged, and it was exactly the dreamy, internet-breaking moment you'd expect. She posted pics of the marquise-cut diamond (designed by Benny himself) with the caption: "Forever begins now." He responded in peak Benny fashion with: "Hey wait… that's my wife."
There's no wedding date yet, but we already know one thing: it will be star-studded with emotional chaos in the best way. Selena spilled on "The Drew Barrymore Show" that Martin Short, her co-star in "Only Murders in the Building," is locked in for a wedding speech. "Marty is due to give a speech. I told him he must," she said. "I feel like Marty would have an epic speech."
As for the bridal party, fans are betting on close friends like Taylor Swift, Francia Raisa, Raquelle Stevens, and Nicola Peltz Beckham to make the cut.