Overview of SmartLess with Benny Blanco
In this episode of SmartLess, Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett chat with producer/songwriter Benny Blanco about his unconventional path to pop superstardom, his intense aversion to flying, his early hustle in music, and how he eventually met and fell in love with Selena Gomez. The conversation is a mix of humor, absurd tangents, and surprisingly candid career storytelling, with Benny repeatedly emphasizing that his success came from relentless hustle, small steps, and learning on the job.
Key Topics Discussed
Benny Blanco’s unusual travel habits
- Benny explains that he no longer flies because of anxiety/neuroses.
- Instead, when traveling to Europe, he often:
- Drives from Los Angeles to New York
- Takes a boat for about seven days across the Atlantic
- He says the boat is relaxing at first, but long trips can make him feel stir-crazy.
- He even makes his own food while traveling, using things like a rice cooker or air fryer.
Early life and entry into music
- Benny grew up in Reston, Virginia.
- His interest in music started very young:
- Listening to cassette tapes and later CD books
- Being influenced by both hip-hop and pop
- Growing up in a musically aware household, though no one was a musician
- His parents’ jobs were far outside the music industry:
- His father made intimate apparel/older women’s nightgowns
- His mother worked in retail display and later at an assisted living facility
The hustle that launched his career
- As a teenager, Benny:
- Cold-called record labels, even pretending to be Jay-Z’s attorney
- Took buses and drove long distances to New York to DJ and make connections
- Slept in train stations, parks, and McDonald’s because he couldn’t afford hotels
- He started making beats with basic equipment at home:
- Boomboxes
- Recording one tape into another
- Learning production through trial and error
- He gradually built a name for himself through:
- MySpace
- Mixtapes
- Local radio
- Studio internships and networking
Big breaks and early industry validation
- A turning point came when Benny connected with industry figures and landed opportunities through sheer persistence.
- He recalls:
- Getting one of his first paid gigs making beats for a softcore porn project called Hip Hop Hunnies
- Meeting producers and label people who helped him move into bigger rooms
- Eventually working with Dr. Luke and Max Martin, major figures in pop music
- His first major pop songwriting breakthrough was “Circus” for Britney Spears.
Working in pop music
- Benny admits he didn’t initially know much about pop music when he entered that world.
- He describes feeling like an impostor in rooms with major artists and producers, but says:
- He had taste
- He knew what sounded good
- He learned by doing
- The hosts emphasize that his career is proof that:
- Hard work creates more chances to get lucky
- Big success often comes from many small, messy steps
Meeting and marrying Selena Gomez
- Benny and Selena Gomez first met years earlier through work, but neither remembers the original meeting clearly.
- Their professional collaboration included songs like:
- “Same Old Love”
- “I Can’t Get Enough”
- “Single Soon”
- Their romance developed slowly and casually:
- They reconnected in the studio
- They initially thought they were just hanging out as friends
- Benny eventually realized it was a date and kissed her on a second date
- He describes Selena as:
- His best friend
- Smarter and funnier than him
- The “yin to my yang”
- He also notes that they regularly watch Will & Grace together before bed.
Current projects and future plans
- Benny mentions:
- A new album titled Hermoso
- A book titled Fuck Failure / a book about failing upward
- He says he’ll be back in the U.S. soon and plans to spend time in New York promoting the book.
- The hosts joke about hanging out with him, exchanging numbers, and doing a road trip.
Notable Takeaways
- Success came from persistence, not a straight path.
- Benny’s story is a prime example of “baby steps” leading to major success.
- He learned by improvising.
- From recording on basic gear to interning in studios, he built his skills through experimentation.
- He has strong taste and instincts.
- The hosts repeatedly point out that beyond talent, Benny’s ear and personality helped him thrive.
- His relationship with Selena is grounded and playful.
- Their relationship is portrayed as easy, funny, and deeply supportive.
- He’s proof that industry access can be self-created.
- Benny made connections by showing up, asking, hustling, and keeping momentum.
Memorable Moments
- Benny joking that he takes a boat to Europe because he doesn’t fly.
- The hosts teasing him about being backed up/constipated throughout the intro.
- Benny recounting how he once made his first $500 by producing music for a porn project.
- His description of being in the studio with Britney Spears and realizing he was suddenly in Hollywood.
- The reveal that he and Selena Gomez are homebodies who watch Will & Grace nightly.
Bottom Line
This episode is both hilarious and surprisingly inspiring. Benny Blanco comes off as humble, funny, and intensely driven, with a career built on hustle, self-teaching, and taking chances. The conversation also gives a sweet look at his relationship with Selena Gomez and shows why the hosts are clearly charmed by him.