Benny Blanco, known for producing hip-hop beats, shared on a podcast how his cooking skills helped him forge a friendship with SZA. During a recording session at Blanco’s house, SZA spotted some banana pudding in the fridge and asked for a bite. This led to SZA constantly sneaking down for more pudding and eventually getting Blanco to cook her other dishes like lasagna and spicy rigatoni. Their budding relationship was built on a bartering system of food and music, with Blanco jokingly mentioning that he had to trade vocal recordings for meals with SZA.
Their cooking sessions not only resulted in tasty dishes but also led to a close friendship between Blanco and SZA. Blanco revealed that SZA would often demand specific meals in exchange for working on music and that their collaborations often involved more cooking than making music. This aspect of their friendship became a key part of their dynamic, fostering a bond that went beyond the typical producer-artist relationship. Blanco joked about losing respect for Selena Gomez when he found out she was dating him, indicating that he never expected someone as talented and humble as her to be interested in him.
Gomez, who has been romantically linked to Blanco, also has a good sense of humor about their relationship. During the filming of Only Murders in the Building, Gomez playfully teased on social media that she was dressed like Blanco, wearing a red checkered button-down with pajama pants and a long coat, mirroring Blanco’s typical laid-back style. While joking about their relationship, both Blanco and Gomez seem to genuinely enjoy each other’s company and share a similar sense of humor. This lighthearted dynamic adds to their close bond and makes their relationship more relatable to fans and listeners.
Blanco’s ability to connect with others through cooking extends beyond his relationship with SZA. He also shared stories about cooking for Selena Gomez, getting her to try new dishes, and bonding over shared meals. Through these experiences, Blanco has shown that his passion for cooking goes hand in hand with his creative work in the music industry, allowing him to build strong relationships with artists like SZA and Gomez. His willingness to share his love for food and cooking has helped him form lasting connections with those around him, creating a unique and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
Overall, Blanco’s story highlights the power of food and cooking in building relationships and fostering creativity. Whether it’s bonding with artists like SZA through shared meals or teasing his girlfriend like Gomez on social media, Blanco’s passion for cooking adds an extra layer of depth and connection to his personal and professional life. By using food as a way to connect with others and share experiences, Blanco has created a unique and memorable approach to building relationships that goes beyond the typical industry collaborations. His lighthearted and humorous interactions with those around him showcase the importance of finding common ground and enjoying the simple pleasures of good food and good company.