Benny Blanco on Early Mornings with Selena Gomez: "Our Favorite Time"

Music producer Benny Blanco, recently featured in PEOPLE’s 2024 Sexiest Man Alive issue, has shared insights into his relationship with singer and actress Selena Gomez, revealing that their early morning routine is one of their most cherished times together.

Despite their packed schedules, Blanco and Gomez make it a priority to start their day slowly and mindfully. “I’m a real morning person. It’s my favorite time to spend with Selena because we both wake up really early,” Blanco told PEOPLE. The couple usually sits down for breakfast around 6:15 a.m., a time Blanco describes as “our moment before the rest of the world wakes up.”

While he’s an early riser by nature, Blanco humorously notes that he still wakes up at 6 a.m. even if he has a late night. “I get sleepy at nighttime. I’m like an old man,” he jokes. “I want to be horizontal as quickly as possible throughout the day,” he adds, describing his routine with a laugh.

In the exclusive interview, Blanco also spoke about his approach to romance, emphasizing attentiveness over extravagance. “It doesn’t mean spending your entire bank account. It’s about being attentive,” he shared, recalling how Gomez once rented an entire botanical garden for a special date, and how he reciprocated with a homemade meal on Valentine’s Day featuring her favorite foods, like movie-theater nachos and fried pickles.

Since they began dating in July 2023, Blanco expressed gratitude for his relationship with Gomez, whom he describes as his “best friend.” Reflecting on their time together, he said, “I’m so happy. I met my best friend, someone I get to do everything in the world with. Every day is the best day of my life.”