The "Average Joes" Dominating the Charts
In an industry where chiseled jawlines and six-pack abs are often seen as the entry ticket to fame, Ed Sheeran and Benny Blanco are the ultimate anomalies. They don't look like they stepped out of a high-fashion magazine, and according to them, that is exactly why they've won.
During a recent appearance on the Friends Keep Secrets podcast with Lil Dicky, the duo got brutally—and hilariously—honest about where they stand in the Hollywood hierarchy. The takeaway? They aren't the "popular kids," and they are perfectly fine with that.
"We Aren't the Jacob Elordis of the World"
The conversation took a viral turn when the group began discussing "super attractive" men in the industry. Benny Blanco didn't hold back, pointing out stars like Jacob Elordi—the towering, brooding heartthrob of Euphoria and Saltburn fame—as the "popular kids" who can do "crazy stuff" just by being hot.
"I feel like both of us, especially me… you give the normal guy hope," Blanco told Sheeran.
Ed, with his signature humility, agreed. He laughed about the "popular kid in school" dynamic, recognizing that while he might not have the traditional "leading man" looks of a Chris Brown or a Jacob Elordi, his "normalcy" is what allowed him to build a $500 million empire.
The Secret Weapon: Relatability
Blanco, who has produced hits for everyone from Justin Bieber to Rihanna, explained that Sheeran's power lies in his "humility and insecurity." Unlike stars who feel untouchable, Ed Sheeran feels like the guy you'd grab a beer with at a local pub.
"He sings sentences that we say all the time, but nobody ever puts them together like that," Blanco shared. By embracing his "normalcy," Ed has tapped into a global frequency that "perfect" people simply can't reach. He isn't singing about private jets and designer suits; he's singing about the "Shape of You" and the messy, beautiful reality of everyday life.
The "Hot-Funny Looking" Debate
The podcast turned even more comedic when the group analyzed rising star Benson Boone. While some argued Boone is a "hot guy," Blanco offered a different perspective: "His body screams hot guy and his face is like, 'Oh, you can be one of the normal guys.'"
This playful deconstruction of beauty standards is exactly why the episode is trending. It's a rare moment where the biggest names in music admit to the same insecurities that their fans feel. They aren't trying to hide their flaws with filters; they are using them to connect with millions of "average Joes" who feel left out by Hollywood's narrow standards.
Why Being "Normal" is the New Cool
For years, the music industry tried to manufacture "perfect" pop stars. But the success of Ed Sheeran and Benny Blanco proves that the world is hungry for something else: Authenticity. By comparing themselves to Jacob Elordi, they aren't putting themselves down—they are elevating the "normal guy." They are proof that you don't need a backflip or a runway-model face to be a legend. You just need to be yourself, tell your story, and give everyone else a little bit of hope.