Selena Gomez fans got a shock while scrolling through Instagram first thing this morning.
On Tuesday (3 March), a host of social media users thought they'd become best buds with the singer and actress for a fleeting moment.
That's because her followers - all 415 million of them - were mysteriously added to her 'Secret Friends' list.
While scrolling through an array of Instagram Stories, people noticed that they had somehow gained access to this private outlet for her to share posts on.
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Taking to X to share their surprise, one person said: "I’M IN SELENA GOMEZ’S CLOSE FRIENDS LIST????"
Another added: "Just going to pretend Selena Gomez didn't add 415m others to her close friends."
A third joked: "Okay, so I guess Selena Gomez and I are best friends now."
Then a fourth chimed in saying: "Selena Gomez added me in her close friends list!"
What is 'Close Friends' on Instagram?
At this point, most of us know what a 'Close Friends' list is on the platform, but for those who don't, let's fill you in.
It's essentially an exclusive offshoot to your main Instagram Story - you can curate a select list of people who you want to be privy to your content, rather than showing this stuff to all of your followers.
If you see a green ring around someone's Story, it means you have been added to their exclusive list.
But Gomez's 'Secret Friends' list appeared to be something a little bit different as it featured a yellow ring.
Why did Selena Gomez add followers to her 'Secret Friends'?
In the post which was originally uploaded on Monday (2 March) evening, the smiling former Disney star said: "Hey guys, welcome to my secret friends!
"And if you want more secrets, go here," Gomez, 33, added, while gesturing towards a caption on the clip which read: "Follow @friendskeepsecrets."
The nosy parkers among her hundreds of millions of followers who clicked onto the tagged account were then taken to a page which promotes a new project her husband Benny Blanco is at the helm of.
The music producer, 37, has just launched a podcast titled Friends Keep Secrets alongside his good friends Dave Burd, AKA rapper Lil Dicky, and his wife Kristin Batalucco.
It's name is also the title of Blanco's debut studio album that was released in December 2018, as well as his record label, which is a division of Interscope Records.
The trio debuted the first episode of Friends Keep Secrets last Wednesday (25 February) - however, the contents of it was unfortunately overshadowed by Blanco's bare feet being 'filthy'.
Unsurprisingly, those who tuned in had a lot to say about the music maker kicking back and putting his unclean trotters on a couch.
What is Benny Blanco's podcast about?
Filthy feet aside, fans of Blanco, Burd and Batalucco say they want to bring fans into their 'intimate hang outs' with the new podcast.
Friends Keep Secrets has been touted as a 'first-of-its-kind show', with the description explaining: "With more than 18 hidden cameras rigged throughout Dave and Kristin's LA home, the show brings viewers inside an intimate hang with the hosts' real-life friendships and the guests that pop in."
"This isn't a formal interview show. They might cook, record a song, play a game, or simply hang out," it continues.
"Blending elements of a podcast, livestream, and sitcom, Friends Keep Secrets captures the magic of being in the room with the hosts and the people they cherish most."
Thankfully though, you can tune in without being physically in the room and having to endure the sight of the soiled soles of Blanco's feet. Everyone's a winner.
It appears as though the 'Secret Friends' feature is a part of the promotion for the new podcast, so it's unlikely to be rolled out en masse.
LADbible has contacted Meta to clarify whether there are plans to launch this on a wider-scale, so we'll keep you posted.
Topics: Celebrity, Selena Gomez, Instagram, Benny Blanco, Podcast, Social Media
Olivia Burke