You’ve probably seen him dancing in a kitchen with Selena Gomez or wearing a matching outfit with her at a basketball game. Or maybe you know him as the guy who somehow produced every song on your 2010s playlist. But despite being one of the biggest names in the music industry, there’s a weird amount of confusion floating around regarding benny blanco parents nationality and his actual background.
People see the name "Blanco" and jump to conclusions. It makes sense. It sounds Spanish. It translates to "white" in Spanish. But here’s the thing: Benny Blanco isn’t Hispanic.
He’s a Jewish kid from the suburbs of Virginia.
The Real Story Behind the Name
His real name is Benjamin Joseph Levin. If you’re looking for the roots of his family tree, you aren’t looking at Madrid or Mexico City; you’re looking at Eastern Europe. Benny is Ashkenazi Jewish. He grew up in Reston, Virginia, which is a fairly affluent area in Fairfax County.
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So, where did "Blanco" come from? It wasn’t a family name passed down through generations. It was actually a reference to a character from the 1993 movie Carlito’s Way. Benny Blanco from the Bronx was the "bad guy" played by John Leguizamo. Benjamin Levin thought it was a funny, ironic name for a white Jewish kid trying to make it in the rap and hip-hop world. It stuck.
Honestly, the irony is that his stage name has led to decades of people Googling his ethnicity.
Meet Sandra and Andrew Levin
To understand the benny blanco parents nationality, you have to look at Sandra and Andrew Levin. They are both American citizens, born and raised in the United States, with a heritage that traces back to the Jewish diaspora.
- Andrew Levin: Benny’s father worked in the "intimate apparel business"—basically, he sold bras and underwear. He’s the one who used to take Benny to Jewish delis, cementing a lifelong obsession with pastrami and Dr. Brown's Cel-Ray soda.
- Sandra Levin: His mom worked in assisted living. Benny has gone on record calling her his "best friend." They still go to the farmer's market together every Sunday.
His parents aren't from some far-off country; they are deeply rooted in the East Coast American Jewish experience. They sent him to Camp Airy, a Jewish sleepaway camp in Maryland. That’s where he first started hosting a radio show and performing.
Why the Confusion Persists
The confusion about his nationality usually stems from two things: his stage name and his "ethnic" look.
In various interviews, including a notable one with The New York Times, Blanco has described himself as a "chubby Jewish kid." Yet, because of his curly hair and skin tone, people often assume he’s biracial or Latino. If you head over to Reddit threads or social media comments, you’ll find endless debates. People insist he looks Puerto Rican. Others are convinced he’s Sephardic (Jews from Spain or North Africa).
But the facts don't support the theories. His brother, Jeremy Levin, also shares this same Ashkenazi background. They grew up in a traditional, middle-class Jewish household. There’s no secret "nationality" hidden in the basement.
Culture Over Geography
While the benny blanco parents nationality is strictly American (with Ashkenazi roots), his "culture" is heavily defined by Jewish tradition. This has become even more apparent lately because of his relationship with Selena Gomez.
They’ve talked openly about their future. In fact, reports from late 2025 and early 2026 suggest that while Selena doesn't plan on converting, the couple is very focused on incorporating Jewish traditions into their life together. You see this in his cookbook, Open Wide, which is basically a love letter to his mother’s kugel and his grandmother’s matzo ball soup.
He’s a guy who identifies with his food and his upbringing more than a specific flag.
A Quick Reality Check on the Facts:
- Is he Latino? No.
- Is he Spanish? No.
- Are his parents immigrants? No, they are American-born.
- What is his ethnicity? Ashkenazi Jewish.
The Role of Reston, Virginia
Geography matters. Growing up in Reston meant he was surrounded by a specific type of American suburbia. It wasn't a "hard" upbringing, but it was one where he felt like an outsider because he was obsessed with hip-hop in a place that wasn't exactly a hip-hop mecca.
His parents' American nationality gave him the stability to pursue a weird dream. They didn't push him into a "stable" career. When he was a teenager taking the bus to New York City every weekend to intern for producers, they let him go. That kind of freedom is a hallmark of his upbringing.
What This Means for His Career
Does knowing benny blanco parents nationality change how we hear his music? Maybe not directly. But it explains his "chameleon" ability. Because he grew up as a Jewish kid immersed in Black music culture (he was obsessed with Nas as a 6-year-old), he learned how to bridge gaps between different worlds.
He’s not trying to "pass" as something else. He’s just Benny. He’s the guy who can cook a brisket for his mom and then go into the studio and write a chart-topping hit for SZA or Justin Bieber.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you’re trying to keep up with the real Benny Blanco, stop looking for a secret nationality. Instead, focus on these three things that actually define his background:
- Read his cookbook: If you want to see the influence of his parents, Open Wide is the best source. It’s more of a memoir than a recipe book.
- Look at his early interviews: Before he was "Selena’s boyfriend," he was very vocal about being a "Jewish kid from Virginia." The "Blanco" persona was always an aesthetic choice, not a claim to a different heritage.
- Follow his mom on Instagram: Sandra Levin (often appearing in Selena’s posts) is the ultimate proof of his roots. She’s the quintessential proud Jewish mother, and her presence clears up any lingering questions about where Benny comes from.
The story of Benny Blanco’s background is a reminder that in 2026, identity isn't just about a passport or a last name. It’s about the culture you carry with you. For Benny, that culture is a mix of Virginia suburbs, Jewish delis, and a stage name borrowed from a 90s crime flick.