Benny Blanco

The Business of Being Rare In the current cultural ecosystem, the term entrepreneur often feels like a hollow branding exercise for celebrities. However, Selena Gomez has dismantled that skepticism by turning Rare Beauty into a legitimate juggernaut. With a valuation hovering around $2 billion, the brand succeeds not through mere name recognition, but through a radical commitment to accessibility and mental health. During a recent sit-down with Amy Poehler on the Good Hang podcast, Gomez peeled back the layers of her corporate strategy, revealing that her products are designed with personal physical limitations in mind. Living with lupus, Gomez has dealt with significant dexterity issues, specifically arthritis in her fingers. This isn't just a biographical detail; it’s a design directive. She recalls the frustration of being unable to open a simple water bottle, an experience that led to the development of Rare Beauty's signature easy-to-open packaging. From the liquid blushes to the fragrance pumps, the ergonomics are intentional. It’s a rare instance where a celebrity’s personal health struggle directly improves the utility of their commercial product, proving that inclusive design is simply good business. The Legend of the Three Amigos Transitioning from a child star on Wizards of Waverly Place to a respected lead in Only Murders in the Building required a specific kind of alchemy. Much of that success stems from her chemistry with comedy titans Steve Martin and Martin Short. Short, in a brief and characteristically witty appearance, described Gomez as an "old pro" who immediately quelled his fears of a "diva nightmare" during their first meeting in the makeup trailer. The dynamic on set is one of mutual mentorship. While Gomez absorbs the comedic timing and work ethic of the legends—noting that Martin and Short never stop searching for the better joke—they have learned from her as well. Short joked about learning that it is socially acceptable to order an egg with caviar, but the deeper reality is that Gomez brings a grounding presence to their manic energy. Her discipline is legendary; her "papa" instilled a rule that if you are on time, you are late. This punctuality serves as a form of respect for the crew, a trait she shares with her veteran co-stars, creating a set environment where ego is sidelined for the sake of the craft. Anxiety as a Creative Engine One of the most compelling aspects of the modern Selena Gomez persona is her transparency regarding mental health. She describes herself as a naturally anxious person, a trait that she has learned to manage through creative outlets and strict boundaries. In a fascinating pivot, she discusses her love for Inside Out 2 and how the introduction of the Anxiety character resonated with her. She views the arrival of anxiety not just as a hurdle, but as a part of the "paint set" of growing up, adding darker colors to the canvas of adulthood. To combat the overstimulation of her public life, Gomez has embraced “quiet” hobbies. She finds a therapeutic rhythm in the kitchen, despite claiming she still doesn't know how to cook. Influenced by her partner, producer Benny Blanco, she finds solace in the low-risk, high-reward nature of preparing a meal. For Gomez, cooking—or even just sitting in the kitchen while Blanco works—is a way to land her "squirrel brain" on a concrete task. This focus on the present is her antidote to the pressures of running multiple businesses and being the most-followed woman on Instagram. The Art of the Fake Orange Peel Beyond the makeup empire and the Emmy-nominated acting, Gomez’s personal life is defined by a specific, quirky domesticity. In one of the more surreal moments of the discussion, she revealed a penchant for "fake food" as home decor. Her house is reportedly littered with hyper-realistic fake orange peels. It’s a small, bizarre detail that humanizes a woman whose life is often defined by billion-dollar spreadsheets and red carpets. These peels are so realistic that guests frequently mistake them for trash, much to the chagrin of Blanco, who she says has a "Beyoncé’s choice" level of commitment to the bit. This playfulness extends to her media consumption. Despite being a major player in the industry, she remains a fan of “insane” comedy, citing Tim Robinson and I Think You Should Leave as a primary source of joy. She also harbors a deep love for horror films like Barbarian and The Conjuring, enjoying the mental intrigue and jump scares that provide a different kind of stimulation than her daily work. This curation of her environment—both physical and digital—is part of a broader strategy to ensure her world remains fun, rather than just functional. Guarding the 190 Million Community With nearly 500 million followers on Instagram, Gomez exists at a scale of fame that is almost impossible to comprehend. She views social media as a "treacherous" space, yet one essential for community building. Her solution to the toxicity of the platform is total detachment: she has not been on social media herself for months, and she keeps comments disabled. She refuses to "go looking for trouble," understanding that protecting her peace is a prerequisite for her productivity. This protective instinct extends to her fans. Martin Short recalled a moment on the streets of New York when Gomez became stern only when security was abrupt with a young fan. She views her fame as an exchange—one that entitles people to a smile or a photo, but not to her mental well-being. As she moves into her 30s, she is increasingly focused on what she calls "expensive energy," learning to say no to the things that drain her so she can say yes to the projects that fulfill her. It is this discernment that suggests her current chapter is not a peak, but a foundation for a far more expansive future.