Honestly, the internet practically melted down when Selena Gomez finally dropped that casual "Facts" in an Instagram comment. You know the one. For months, people were squinting at blurry background photos and trying to decode the placement of a gold "B" ring. But when it comes to the question of when did selena and benny start dating, the answer is actually a lot earlier than the day they went Instagram official.
It wasn’t just a random December hookup.
The Mid-2023 Shift
If you’re looking for the exact "day one," it’s a bit murky, but Selena herself cleared the air in December 2023. She told fans she had already been dating Benny Blanco for six months. That puts the start of their romantic relationship right around June 2023.
Wait.
Think back to June 2023. Selena was posting TikToks about being single and screaming at soccer players that she was "high maintenance." It turns out, that might have been the ultimate smoke screen. Or, as Benny later admitted in interviews, he was "the last one to know" they were even on a date.
They Actually Met in 2008
This isn't some new Hollywood fling. They have decades of history. Benny actually met Selena when she was just 16 years old. They worked together on her Revival album in 2015, producing hits like "Same Old Love" and "Kill Em With Kindness."
💡 You might also like: Finding the Perfect Donny Osmond Birthday Card: What Fans Often Get Wrong
Then came 2019.
Remember the "I Can't Get Enough" music video? Benny was literally dancing around in a giant teddy bear suit next to Selena. Looking back, the chemistry was right there, but they stayed in the "work friends" zone for years. Benny was close with her ex, Justin Bieber, and worked on the song "Lonely" with him. It was a tangled web of industry connections that eventually straightened out into a straight line toward each other.
When Did Selena and Benny Start Dating Officially?
The transition from friends to "more than friends" happened during the recording of "Single Soon" in 2023. Benny was producing, Selena was singing, and suddenly the late-night studio sessions weren't just about the music anymore.
By the time October 2023 rolled around, Benny was spotted at the Rare Impact Fund Benefit. He wasn't on the red carpet, but he was there. He was wearing all white, standing in the back, supporting her. That was the "soft launch" before we even knew what a soft launch was.
The Instagram Reveal That Broke the App
December 7, 2023. That’s the date for the history books. Selena didn't just post a photo; she went on a commenting spree. She defended Benny against critics, called him "the best thing that’s ever happened" to her, and confirmed they’d been a secret item for half a year.
📖 Related: Martha Stewart Young Modeling: What Most People Get Wrong
Then she posted the photo.
It was a black-and-white selfie of her leaning on his shoulder. You couldn't even see his face, but the message was loud and clear. A week later, she posted a gallery of "New York moments" which ended with a full-on kiss photo. The "B" ring was on her finger. The rumors were dead. The relationship was very, very alive.
Why This Relationship Is Different
In a 2024 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Selena admitted she felt "the safest" she’s ever felt in a relationship. She talked about how being open—but not too open—kept the paparazzi hunger at bay.
Benny, for his part, has been incredibly vocal about his intentions. He told Howard Stern in May 2024 that he sees a future with her and wants to "check the box" of having kids. It’s a far cry from the high-drama, on-again-off-again cycles fans were used to seeing with Selena in the past.
Here is how the timeline actually looks:
👉 See also: Ethan Slater and Frankie Grande: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
- 2008: First meeting (Selena is 16).
- 2015: Professional collaboration on Revival.
- 2019: The Teddy Bear era ("I Can't Get Enough").
- June 2023: The "six months ago" mark where they actually started dating.
- October 2023: Benny attends Selena’s charity gala.
- December 2023: Official confirmation and the "B" ring debut.
- December 2024: Engagement announcement.
- September 2025: The wedding.
The 2025/2026 Marriage Era
If you've been following the news lately, you know they didn't just stop at dating. The couple officially tied the knot on September 27, 2025, in a California ceremony that was surprisingly low-key for two of the biggest names in music.
Recently, at the 2026 Golden Globes, they looked completely inseparable in their Old Hollywood-inspired looks. They've even combined their professional lives again, releasing a joint album called I Said I Love You First in March 2025. It’s a rare case of a celebrity "slow burn" that actually paid off.
What You Can Learn From Their Story
The biggest takeaway from the Selena and Benny timeline? Timing is everything. Selena has been very open about how she wasn't "mature enough" for a guy like Benny five years ago. She needed that time to be single, to grow, and to find herself before she could appreciate someone who—in Benny's words—makes her "favorite breakfast every single morning."
If you're trying to track their journey for yourself, look for their recent collaborations. Watching the "I Can't Get Enough" video now feels completely different knowing they ended up married. You can see the groundwork of a solid friendship that turned into a partnership.
To keep up with their latest updates, check out Benny’s cookbook Open Wide (Selena is all over those pages) or listen to their 2025 album for the most personal details of their first year together.