The intersection of celebrity culture and personal hygiene has long been a source of fascination for the public, but few moments have ignited the internet quite like music producer Benny Blanco’s recent defense of his own cleanliness. Known for his chart-topping hits and his high-profile marriage to actress and mogul Selena Gomez, Blanco found himself at the center of a social media firestorm after footage of his noticeably dirty feet went viral. What began as a series of memes quickly evolved into a broader conversation about grooming standards in the spotlight, prompting Blanco to address the "dirty feet" allegations head-on during a series of high-profile media appearances.
The controversy took flight following an episode of Blanco’s podcast, Friends Keep Secrets, where eagle-eyed viewers noticed the soles of his feet appeared heavily soiled while he sat in the studio. For a figure who often leans into a quirky, disheveled aesthetic, the image served as fodder for critics who questioned his overall hygiene. However, Blanco was quick to clarify that the grime was a matter of circumstance rather than a lack of soap. During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in late February, Blanco shifted the blame to the environment in which he was filming, asserting that the "facility’s fault" was to blame for the state of his soles. To prove his point, Blanco went as far as to offer the cameras a close-up view of his feet, insisting they were actually "great" and "clean."
Supporting Blanco in this quest for olfactory redemption was his longtime friend and collaborator, Ed Sheeran. On a March 10 episode of Blanco’s podcast, the "Shape of You" singer provided a glowing character reference for his friend’s scent. Sheeran, who humorously acknowledged that he himself often "looks like he doesn’t smell good," surprised the audience by crowning Blanco "the best smelling person" he knows. This prompted Blanco to double down on his natural freshness, claiming that he maintains a pleasant aroma even on days when he skips the shower. The duo then turned their attention to podcast co-host Lil Dicky, jokingly suggesting that if anyone deserved the internet’s scrutiny, it was him. In a moment of raw, unfiltered comedy, Sheeran even took a whiff of the rapper’s bellybutton, comparing the scent to a "bum hole" and begging for something to mask the odor.
Beyond the banter of friends, the most significant endorsement of Blanco’s hygiene came from his wife, Selena Gomez. The couple, who quietly tied the knot in September after two years of dating, has been increasingly open about their affection. Gomez, the star of Only Murders in the Building, recently appeared on her husband’s podcast and took the defense of his hygiene to a literal level by kissing his foot on camera. Blanco described the moment as a highlight of his day, noting that while he tries to maintain his composure around the "independent woman" he loves, seeing her embrace even his toes made him feel cherished from head to heel.
This "dirty feet" saga is merely the latest chapter in a long-running Hollywood obsession with bathing habits. The modern era of celebrity hygiene discourse can be traced back to July 2021, when Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher sent shockwaves through the industry during an interview on the Armchair Expert podcast. The couple admitted to a minimalist approach to bathing, with Kunis stating she doesn’t use soap on her entire body every day, and Kutcher revealing he focuses only on the "armpits and crotch." The backlash was so intense that Kutcher was still clarifying his position years later, telling People in early 2026 that the public’s reaction was "the craziest thing of all time" and insisting that his gym routine naturally necessitates regular showers.
The Kunis-Kutcher revelation acted as a catalyst, prompting other A-listers to weigh in on their own bathroom rituals. Jake Gyllenhaal, often praised for his rugged leading-man looks, surprised fans when he told Vanity Fair that he finds bathing "less necessary" at times. Gyllenhaal argued for the benefits of natural skin maintenance, suggesting that the human body has a way of "naturally cleaning" itself. His comments added fuel to the fire, dividing the internet into those who prioritize the skin’s natural microbiome and those who view daily scrubbing as a non-negotiable social contract.
On the opposite end of the spectrum lies Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. In response to the growing list of "non-washing" celebrities, the action star took to social media to outline a hygiene routine that is as rigorous as his workout schedule. Johnson revealed that he showers three times a day: a cold shower to start the morning, a warm shower after his workout, and a hot shower after returning home from work. His routine involves a full regimen of face wash, body wash, and exfoliation—often accompanied by some off-key singing. Johnson’s transparency served as a reassurance to fans that some of Hollywood’s biggest stars still embrace a traditional, multi-step approach to cleanliness.
Similarly, Jason Momoa felt the need to distance himself from the "no-wash" trend. The Aquaman star told Access Hollywood that his time spent in the water—both on set and as a native Hawaiian—ensures he stays fresh. "I’m Aquaman, I’m in the f—king water, don’t worry about it," he joked, assuring the public that saltwater and regular showers keep him well within the bounds of acceptable hygiene.
The debate has even extended to parenting philosophies. Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell joined the conversation by admitting that their approach to bathing their children changed as their kids got older. Bell famously stated she is a fan of "waiting for the stink," noting that biology provides a clear "whiff" to signal when it’s time for a bath. This stance was met with a counter-narrative from figures like Bethenny Frankel, who took to X (formerly Twitter) to defend a "radical" approach of daily bathing for her daughter, citing its benefits for relaxation and sleep hygiene.
In the world of high-stakes film production, hygiene often becomes a matter of professional courtesy. During the filming of Inglourious Basterds, Brad Pitt reportedly shared a time-saving hack with his co-star Eli Roth. According to Roth, Pitt suggested using baby wipes under the armpits when there isn’t time for a full shower between scenes. It was a practical solution for a grueling shoot, though it highlighted the lengths to which actors go to maintain a semblance of freshness under hot studio lights and heavy costumes.
Even Ed Sheeran, despite his defense of Benny Blanco, has faced his own scrutiny. In a 2025 podcast episode, Sheeran admitted that while his aesthetic might lead people to believe he lacks a certain freshness, the reality is quite different. He revealed that he is actually a frequent bather, often showering twice a day to maintain his personal standards.
As the lines between private lives and public personas continue to blur, the "bathing debate" serves as a reminder of our collective obsession with the human side of stardom. Whether it’s Benny Blanco defending the state of his feet or The Rock detailing his exfoliation routine, these revelations humanize the icons we see on screen. They transform untouchable celebrities into relatable—and sometimes polarizing—figures who navigate the same basic daily rituals as everyone else. In the end, the internet’s "crashing out" over a pair of dirty feet is less about the dirt itself and more about the fascination with the unfiltered, unpolished reality of life in the limelight. For Blanco, Gomez, and their peers, the conversation remains a testament to the fact that in Hollywood, even the most mundane habits can become a viral sensation.
