Record producer Benny Blanco found himself at the center of a social media firestorm following the premiere of his new podcast, Friends Keep Secrets, on February 24, 2026. While the show was meant to highlight his inner circle, viewers were quickly distracted by the producer’s visibly dirty feet. Close-up shots of Blanco’s soles during the inaugural episode went viral, leading to a wave of hygiene-related criticism across TikTok and X.

Blanco’s wife, Selena Gomez, was quick to show her support amidst the mounting backlash. The singer and actress publicly stood by her husband as the internet dissected his appearance. Blanco himself chose to tackle the controversy head-on during a visit to Jimmy Kimmel Live!. Speaking with host Jimmy Kimmel, the mogul explained that the filming location was the primary culprit, stating he had been walking barefoot on a deck just before the cameras started rolling.

The conversation regarding Blanco's cleanliness followed him back to his own platform. In a more recent episode of Friends Keep Secrets featuring Ed Sheeran, the producer revisited the topic of his hygiene. Blanco and Sheeran joked about the public's obsession with his feet, with Blanco appearing unfazed by the global discussion. Despite the rocky start, the viral moment has only increased visibility for his new media venture.