When a small detail goes viral online, it can take on a life of its own. That’s something music producer Benny Blanco knows well this week after a brief moment from his podcast sparked an unexpected conversation about hygiene.
During the March 10 episode of his Friends Keep Secrets podcast, Blanco leaned into the topic with humor — chatting openly with friends about shower habits, personal scent, and the internet’s fascination with his feet.
The episode featured musician Ed Sheeran and rapper-comedian Lil Dicky, who joined the producer along with Burd’s wife, Kristin Batalucco.
What followed was a playful — and at times slightly absurd — conversation about how often people shower and whether anyone can really tell when someone smells good.
The discussion began simply enough when Blanco asked Sheeran how often he showers.
Sheeran said he usually bathes twice a day, a routine that surprised the host. Blanco admitted he doesn’t always shower daily, explaining that he believes the body’s natural oils benefit from a little time to recover.
The group quickly turned the moment into a comedy bit.
They joked about whether each of them had a distinctive smell, even comparing scents by sniffing hands and belly buttons — a moment that drew plenty of laughs around the room.
The conversation didn’t come out of nowhere.
It followed a wave of online reactions to the first episode of the podcast, released Feb. 24, where viewers noticed Blanco sitting on a couch with visibly dirty feet in view of the camera.
The image spread quickly in comment sections and on social media.
Some viewers teased the producer about the moment, posting remarks suggesting he should wash his feet before filming.
The chatter became big enough that Blanco later addressed it during a Feb. 26 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! alongside Burd.
Host Jimmy Kimmel even displayed the now-famous photo during the segment.
Blanco pushed back playfully, joking that the “facility” — not his hygiene — was responsible for the dusty feet. To prove his point, he removed his sock and showed the audience what he said was a perfectly clean foot.
Blanco has spoken before about taking a relaxed approach to grooming.
In a 2024 interview, he explained that he doesn’t feel the need to shower every day and tends to avoid frequent shampooing. According to him, constant washing can strip away oils that help keep skin and hair healthy.
It’s a view shared by some dermatologists, though daily routines vary widely depending on lifestyle, climate, and personal preference.
Amid the jokes and online commentary, Blanco also received public support from his wife, singer and actor Selena Gomez.
Shortly after the viral moment, Gomez posted a brief video on Instagram showing herself kissing Blanco and writing that she falls “more and more in love” with him each day.
The message added a softer note to a story that had largely played out as internet comedy.
It’s not unusual for everyday habits — especially the slightly awkward ones — to spark big reactions online.
In this case, a quick glimpse of someone’s feet turned into a broader conversation about personal hygiene, celebrity life, and how closely audiences now examine even the smallest details on camera.
For Blanco, the attention seems less like a scandal and more like a reminder of how the internet works: sometimes the smallest, most ordinary moments are the ones people remember most.
