Ed Sheeran and Benny Blanco say they ‘give the normal guy hope’ — here’s why that matters
Two of music’s most unlikely stars say their success proves you don’t have to be the “popular kid” to make it, and a lot of guys are listening.
Some celebrities feel almost mythological. They’re genetically blessed and seemingly born to dominate whatever room they walk into. Then there are the ones who feel like they could’ve sat next to you in class. That’s part of the reason people have gravitated toward Ed Sheeran for more than a decade. He’s one of the biggest pop stars on the planet, but he still carries himself like the slightly awkward guy who just happened to become extremely good at writing songs.
During a recent appearance on Friends Keep Secrets, Sheeran and producer Benny Blanco leaned into that exact reputation and joked that their success might be giving “normal guys” a little hope. It was a funny moment, but it also touched on something deeper about how we think about attractiveness and modern masculinity.
What happened
On a recent episode of Friends Keep Secrets, a podcast hosted by Benny Blanco alongside rapper and comedian Lil Dicky and his wife, Kristin Batalucco, listeners got a rare, intimate glimpse into the music world. The show isn’t in your traditional, average setting. Episodes often feel like listeners are sitting in on a private hangout.
The group swaps stories, jokes about life in the music industry, and occasionally dives into deeper topics about creativity, relationships, and fame. Because the tone is so relaxed, guests tend to open up more than they might during a traditional press interview
The conversations drift from industry stories to personal experiences, and sometimes even into impromptu creative sessions where songs start coming together on the spot. So Ed Sheeran fit right in with the rest of the podcast crew.
He and Blanco have worked together for years, collaborating on multiple songs and crossing paths frequently throughout the pop music world. Their relationship has always felt less like “artist and producer” and more like two friends navigating success together.
Giving normal guys everywhere hope
During the episode, the group reflected on Sheeran’s rise to fame in the early 2010s. Lil Dicky joked that when he first met Sheeran back then, he seemed like “the most normal person” imaginable. That comment opened a broader discussion about fame, attractiveness, and the kinds of people who typically become stars.
Benny Blanco stole the spotlight when he said, “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.’” He added, “I feel like both of us, especially me… you give the normal guy hope.” Kristin joined in, noting that they’re all “just a bunch of normal dudes,” while Sheeran said they were the opposite archetype of the hyper-charismatic, impossibly attractive celebrities, you know, the type who seem destined for stardom.
Neither built their careers on a conventional pop-star image. Sheeran started by busking and performing small gigs, while Blanco spent years behind the scenes writing and producing hits before most people knew his name. When Blanco says they give “the normal guy hope,” it’s partly a joke, but it also explains why millions of fans feel connected to them.
Why this matters
Moments like this resonate because they reflect a broader shift in how audiences think about success, masculinity, and relatability in public figures. For decades, the entertainment industry largely promoted a narrow version of male stardom: the charismatic frontman, the effortlessly attractive actor, the larger-than-life personality who seemed untouchable. That image shaped expectations not only for celebrities, but for men watching from the outside.
Men are reshaping what modern masculinity looks like in Hollywood, and figures like Sheeran and Blanco are among those at the forefront. Their talent is undeniable, but so is their relatability. They show that success doesn’t have to come from fitting a hyper-masculine or “perfect” image.
Instead, authenticity and approachability resonate with fans and give us a fresh perspective of celebrity culture usually dominated by polished, unattainable personas. Authenticity is now something people crave, as well as the willingness to be open and real about everyday struggles.
In a world where many men feel pressure to meet impossible standards, seeing ordinary guys reach extraordinary success challenges long-standing stereotypes. Sheeran and Blanco aren’t just talented; they’re proof that you can be yourself and still reach the top.
