Wedding bells are ringing for Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco! Congrats to the happy couple. As we eagerly await their big day, we can’t help but wonder… will there be a prenup involved? While we’re definitely not invited to their lawyer’s office, nor do we have any insider info on their potential agreement, we’ve chatted with some top celebrity prenup attorneys across the nation to get the scoop on what other A-listers like Selena and Benny generally include in their agreements. So, let’s dive into some possible clauses Selenny (Belena?) might put in their prenup.
Selena and Benny’s net worths
First, we can’t begin the prenup conversation without giving a brief overview of this powerhouse couple’s general net worth. Benny is in the music industry and does everything from songwriting to producing to composing. Here is a full list of songs Benny has written (you’re likely to recognize quite a few!). He has an estimated net worth of about $50 million. Gomez, on the other hand, is worth over a staggering $1 BILLION. Yes, you read that right, BILLION, with a “B.” She gets her fortune from being a Disney child star turned music mogul turned business owner. She has music royalties, movie royalties, TV show royalties, and the majority stake in her beauty company.
Which state law applies?
If Selena and Benny reside in Los Angeles, CA, then they will likely choose California law as their applicable prenup law. This also means that if they divorce, CA divorce law will also apply. California is a community property state, which means all assets accumulated during the marriage are split 50-50. While, generally, assets accumulated prior to the marriage are separate, there’s the potential for commingling or contribution reimbursements that can make those assets no longer separate.
Intellectual property protection
It’s very likely that both Selena and Benny own certain intellectual property, given that they are both artists. Selena may own rights to certain trademarks for her company and copyrights for her music. Same goes for Benny–he likely owns certain copyrights for his music. This is common for celebrities, as many of them have different copyrights and such. Heck, it’s alleged that some celebrities even trademark things like their kids’ names, catchphrases, artwork, business ideas, etc.
Protection of reputation
One common clause for celebs is, essentially, NDAs within their prenups, which prevent their potential future ex-spouse from sharing private information with the world. Some of these prenups may even explicitly state that their partner cannot go and write a “Tell All” book or do a “Tell All” podcast if they ever get a divorce or without the other person’s permission. In addition, not sharing private info such as finances, personal habits, business ideas, and more.
Social media limitations
Given the vast platform that celebrities have (Selena Gomez was once THE most followed person on Instagram), it’s no wonder that they would have parameters around what “flies” on social media. For instance, no disparaging, harmful, or disrespectful posts during the marriage or in a divorce. If the person posts something that breaches this clause, they may have to pay the person who was disrespected.
Infidelity clauses
While infidelity clauses are not enforceable in California, many celebs still put them in their prenups as an expectation-setting clause or as a “chip” to negotiate more during a divorce. Given that cheating is seemingly all over Hollywood, it’s no wonder celebs want to include this clause as a safety net. For example, Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel allegedly have an infidelity clause stating Jessica gets $500k if Justin cheats.
Business protection
80% of Selena’s wealth comes from her majority stake in her beauty business. This means it’s likely that Selena will want to make sure her business is protected. That includes trademarks, equity, income, revenue, subsidiaries, and everything in between. Basically, she may want to protect any business interest. This is smart not only for her but also for the other shareholders to ensure she retains control over the business.
Protection of assets
Of course, the most obvious clause in a celeb prenup is the protection of assets. With Selena amassing over $1 billion and Benny having around $50 million, it’s likely that Selena is going to want to protect her wealth. Selena allegedly has a pretty impressive real estate portfolio, so making sure these assets are hers may be something she wants to include.
The bottom line
While we’re not even sure if Selena and Benny will be getting a prenup, the above clauses are some that are frequently seen in celebrity prenups. So, it’s very likely that any of these clauses will be present in their potential prenup. We’re happy for you, Selena, and Benny! Cheers to a happy marriage and a bright future ahead. Happy wedding and prenup planning!
Nicole Sheehey is the Head of Legal Content at HelloPrenup, and an Illinois licensed attorney. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to prenuptial agreements. Nicole has Juris Doctor from John Marshall Law School. She has a deep understanding of the legal and financial implications of prenuptial agreements, and enjoys writing and collaborating with other attorneys on the nuances of the law. Nicole is passionate about helping couples locate the information they need when it comes to prenuptial agreements. You can reach Nicole here: Nicole@Helloprenup.com
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