Ed Sheeran and Benny Blanco say they represent ‘normal guy’ in music; joke about industry heartthrobs like Jacob Elordi

Ed Sheeran and Benny Blanco opened up about their unique place in the music industry, embracing their roles as everyday guys who made it big. They joked about giving hope to regular men everywhere, contrasting themselves with the effortlessly handsome stars who seem destined for fame.


It’s a refreshing take in a world where looks often steal the spotlight, and their candid chat revealed a deep camaraderie built on years of collaboration and shared underdog/-stories. Fans have long loved Sheeran for his relatable lyrics and Blanco for his hit-making magic behind the scenes, and this moment captured why they resonate so widely.

Fun podcast banter

On the Friends Keep Secrets podcast’s new episode released on March 10th, co-host Lil Dicky called Sheeran the most normal person he knew from their early 20s days. Blanco, 38, leaned into it with Sheeran, 35, saying, “I feel like me, and Ed share the same thing where it’s like, there’s a lot of guys that get big that you’re like, ‘Oh yeah, that person should be.’ I feel like both, especially me, you give the normal guy hope.”


Co-host Kristin Batalucco, married to Lil Dicky, chimed in that the group was just a bunch of normal dudes hanging out. Blanco nodded along, pointing out how many guys out there are just so hot and can pull off all sorts of impressive feats without breaking a sweat.


Sheeran laughed and agreed, “There’s definitely the popular kid in school who’s super, super attractive.” Benny Blanco ran with it, name-dropping drop-dead gorgeous types like “Jacob Elordi or something, or like Chris Brown. Like, there’s so many guys who can do like crazy stuff.”


Batalucco brought up Benson Boone’s wild backflip skills, while Lil Dicky noted Boone kind of bridges the gap, looking hot-funny in a way that fits their vibe. Blanco wrapped it up neatly about Boone: “His body screams hot guy and his face is like, ‘Oh, you can be one of the normal guys.’”

Longtime bond

Their easy rapport comes from a solid history. Blanco helped shape Sheeran’s massive 2017 album Divide, turning tracks into global smashes. They teamed up again with Lil Dicky on the 2018 hit Freaky Friday featuring Chris Brown, where Sheeran even popped up in the music video.


Blanco has praised Sheeran’s everyman charm before. In a TIME100 cover story, he said, “He sings sentences that we say all the time, but nobody ever puts them together like that in a song. The thing that makes him so good, and I’m in a similar spot, we’re just kind of like the average Joe that shouldn’t have really made it, but somehow we did.”


This fun exchange shows two music powerhouses owning their ordinary roots. They prove talent and heart can outshine polished perfection, inspiring fans who see a bit of themselves in their success. In an industry full of glamour their grounded humor feels like a breath of fresh air.

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