Why millions of Selena Gomez’s followers were just added to her ‘secret friends’ list

If you're one of the millions of people who woke up today thinking you've been specially selected to be besties with Selena Gomez, I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Tons of us, myself included, checked Instagram today (3 March) to see that we'd been added to the 33-year-old singer's 'Secret Friends' list on the social media app.

Now, we all know what 'Close Friends' is - a feature that lets you share Stories, Reels, and Notes with a select, curated list of followers rather than your entire audience.

Usually, it only includes your closest pals who you don't mind seeing every detail of your life, rather than your Instagram-perfect moments.

So, imagine everyone's surprise when they clicked their Instagram Story feed today to see they'd be included in a version of this by none other than the Wizards of a Waverley Place star herself.

However, it wasn't the usual green icon that shows it's a 'Close Friends' Story, but a yellow one called 'Secret Friends Only'.

Were you added to Selena Gomez's 'Secret Friends' list today? (Instagram/@selenagomez)

Reacting to the surprising discovery, one fan questioned on X: "Why am I in Selena Gomez’ close friends?"

While another shocked follower queried: "I’M IN SELENA GOMEZ’S CLOSE FRIENDS LIST????"

A third wrote: "Oh to be on Selena Gomez's close friends on Insta."

Meanwhile, a fourth excitedly declared: "HELLO?? ON SELENA MARIE GOMEZ'S CLOSE FRIENDS???! I SCREAMED??!!!"

And a fifth chimed in with: "Are you telling me that Instagram is promoting its new 'secret friends' option with Selena Gomez for an even more exclusive group than 'close friends' in Stories?"

"Okay, so I guess Selena Gomez and I are best friends now," declared another.

But before you get too excited, I'm sorry to say that it appears to be a PR stunt to promote her husband, Benny Blanco's new podcast, more than anything else.

The Story was a video of Selena telling the people on her 'Secret Friends' about the new venture of her hubby's, Friends Keep Secrets, which debuted its first-ever episode last week.

Turns out, Selena was actually trying to help her husband Benny Blanco promote his podcast (John Shearer/97th Oscars/Getty Images)

Selena said, “Hey guys, welcome to my Secret Friends. If you want more secrets, go here,” before pointing to a tag leading to Blanco's podcast page.

As of right now, it doesn't actually look like we can use the feature ourselves, unfortunately.

And going by how many people have posted online about Selena's Secret Friends, turns out the list isn't as exclusive as you'd think.

Blanco's podcast is hosted by himself, and his celebrity pals and co-hosts - Dave Burd aka Lil Dicky, and the rapper's wife, Kristin Batalucco.

The idea blends the lines between podcasting and reality TV, as it boasts the unique concept of more than 18 hidden cameras being rigged throughout Dave and Kristin's LA home, bringing viewers inside 'an intimate hang with the hosts' real-life friendships and the guests that pop in'.

However, it's already come under fire for, ahem, Blanco's 'dirty feet,' which could be seen during the debut episode, and the internet seriously lost its mind over.

Any press is good press, I guess?