U Up? Podcast — “Did Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco Win Halloween?”

Hosts: Jordana Abraham & Jared Freid
Date: October 31, 2025
Main Theme:
A witty, rapid-fire Halloween special where Jordana and Jared, in costume, dissect this year’s most notable celebrity couple Halloween costumes. Blending their signature millennial dating commentary with playful costume ratings, they explore what each couple’s Halloween ensemble reveals about their dynamic—and about Halloween culture at large.

Hosts’ Costumes & Halloween Vibes

00:59–08:10

• Jordana dresses as her dog, Ronnie’s, mom (fully in a dog costume).
• Jared is a “wise old owl” complete with glasses.
• Both riff on costume choices, pet reactions, and the wisdom that comes with being “old” in podcast years.
• Discussion of acting in costume at home:
  • Jordana: “There’s only, like, three people whose opinion I care about. One of them’s the dog.” (03:00)
  • The duo banter about trying on costumes for pets, trick-or-treat scenarios, and the lameness of adults in costumes.
• Quick chat on Halloween plans. Jordana shares she’ll miss trick-or-treaters this year because of her Aruba “babymoon,” and they discuss Aruba’s hurricane-proof appeal.

Setting the Tone: Halloween, Couples, and Costumes

08:27–16:52

• The pair note Halloween’s cultural transition from childhood to adulthood—a night where couples’ costumes get creative (or cringe).
• Reflections on what makes a great couple’s look: does it play into each partner’s persona? Does it try too hard? Does it tell us something about the couple?
• Jared jokes about showing up at a gym Halloween party as the owl, feeling out of place among “seductive costumes.”
• Throwback to the iconic “How many licks does it take?!” Tootsie Pop commercial and the subtle sexual undertones in old-school Halloween marketing.

Segment: Rating Celebrity Couple Costumes

17:14–47:07
For photos, see @u.up.podcast on Instagram or the YouTube version of the episode.

1. Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco — Alice & Mad Hatter

17:31–19:29

• Both hosts agree: this is a perfect match for their personalities.
  • Jordana: “She gets to look hot. He gets to, like… he’s kind of a weird guy, so this is his element.” (17:44)
  • Jared: “He looks better here than he does ever. He’s in his element.” (18:02)
• They praise the cohesion, effort, and how the costumes “fit” the couple, avoid “try-hard,” and let each shine.
  • Jared: “He makes the costume, but together, it really comes together.” (18:59)

2. Sarah Hyland & Wells Adams — Taco & Belle

19:30–22:18

• Hosts find this reversal (Wells as Belle) tries too hard to be “wacky.”
  • Jared: “This is a couple I would avoid.” (19:53)
  • Jordana: “They’re a little too wacky for me as a couple… trying to be too alternative.” (20:08)
• The reversal (man in the “woman” role) feels more about attention-seeking than fun, contrasted against the Gomez/Blanco authenticity.

3. Jessica Biel & Justin Timberlake — ‘NSYNC Justin & a Microphone

22:23–26:29

• Debate over Timberlake’s self-centeredness:
  • Jordana: “This is actually the reason that I don’t like Justin Timberlake. It’s always the Justin show.” (22:56, 24:30)
  • After a story about Timberlake eclipsing his ‘NSYNC bandmates, Jared is convinced:
    • “I hate this costume now too.” (24:38)
• Costume is “about Justin Timberlake, for Justin Timberlake,” reinforcing egotistical vibes.

4. Jesse Tyler Ferguson & Justin Mikita — Phineas (Billie Eilish’s brother) & Billie Eilish

26:30–29:18

• The references are too niche for the couple’s age and target audience.
  • Jared: “They’re too old for this costume… I’d have zero chance of knowing who they are.” (27:35, 27:44)
• Uncertainty over dressing as siblings when you’re a married couple.
• Feels like “high effort, low reward.”

5. Nick Cannon & Mariah Carey — Angels

29:22–30:01

• Uninspired, but on-brand. Mariah aims to look “hot,” with Nick as an accessory.
  • Jared: “This was Mariah Carey saying, ‘make me look as hot as possible. Do whatever with Nick.’” (29:34)

6. Joey Fatone & Isabel Araujo — Grady Twins from The Shining

30:07–30:57

• Hosts love the commitment, equal fun, and partnership.
  • Jordana: “They seem like a couple that would enjoy hanging out together.” (30:53)

7. Channing Tatum & Zoë Kravitz — Rosemary & Baby (“Rosemary’s Baby”)

31:05–32:04

• Too obscure, lacks visual clarity.
  • Jordana: “Would you have ever guessed that’s what they were?” (31:32)
  • Seen as lazy given their resources.

8. Taylor Lautner & Taylor Dome — SNL characters

32:14–36:10

• The hosts riff on the weirdness of couples with the same name dating.
• Both are critical of SNL character costumes:
  • Jordana: “SNL isn’t really that funny… To get so into it that you do the Halloween costume is not for me.” (33:51, 35:38)
  • Jared: “You think you’re better than everyone else, like you get it. I don’t know these characters and I don’t get it.” (34:44, 35:57)

9. Justin Bieber & Hailey Bieber — Bam Bam & Pebbles

37:24–38:42

• Notable for their ubiquitous misery in photographs.
  • Jordana: “They always look… like they just got into a fight in every photo shoot.” (37:43)
  • Costume feels like Haley tried to salvage the theme around Justin refusing to wear a shirt.

10. The Weeknd & Bella Hadid — Beetlejuice & Lydia Deetz

38:43–39:10

• High praise for full commitment and authenticity; compared favorably to the Selena/Benny approach.

11. Joe Jonas & Sophie Turner — Gomez & Morticia Addams

39:10–40:18

• Praised for passion and dedication—yet the hosts jokingly speculate that “all sex” might have led to their split.

12. Beyoncé & Jay-Z — Lil Kim & Biggie Smalls

40:18–40:31

• Low effort, last-minute feel.
  • Jordana: “Just stuff we had at home… couldn’t really be bothered.” (40:28)

13. Sacha Baron Cohen & Isla Fisher — Assorted Animal/Incoherent Mishmash

40:31–44:26

• Wildly confused; looks like they raided the kids’ dress-up bin.
  • Jared shares a hilarious story of being heckled by Sacha Baron Cohen at the Comedy Cellar, followed by Isla Fisher following and liking his social posts after their split.
    • “Wouldn’t that be the ultimate revenge? Guy gets heckled—and then I f*** his wife?” (43:33)

14. Heidi Klum & Partner — The Worm & a Fisherman

45:08–47:07

• Heidi gets big respect for pursuing elaborate, unsexy, show-stopping costumes annually.
  • Jordana: “She needs to outdo herself every year.” (45:34)
  • Jared: “Model’s gonna show us she’s cool with her ugly costume—but she does it so well…” (46:02)
• Side note: Jared has lingering resentment about Heidi’s judging style on “America’s Got Talent.”

Dating Advice: Is It Still “Hot Costume” Season Once You’re Boo’d Up?

47:08–49:48

• Listener email: Should you still go “hot” for Halloween once you’re in a relationship?
• Core insight: Halloween is a time to showcase a different (or weird, or sexy) side—relationship status aside.
  • Jared: “We love different. Same chick, doing different things. It’s the biggest turn-on in the world.” (48:04)
  • Jordana: “If they’ve committed and it hits, that’s hot. If they half-ass it, not really.” (48:57)
  • Jared: “The hottest is when I don’t even recognize who you are.” (48:28)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Jordana: “There’s only, like, three creatures’ opinions I care about. One of them is the dog.” (03:00)
• Jared (on Timberlake): “It’s actually batshit cuckoo bananas that he’d be like, ‘You dress as me, I’ll be the microphone. So you’re the star—but really, you’re me.’” (24:41)
• Jordana (on SNL costumes): “To get so into it that you do the Halloween costume… not for me.” (35:38)
• Jared (on costumes in long-term relationships): “We love the same chick doing different things… that’s the biggest turn-on in the world.” (48:04)
• Jordana (on Heidi Klum): “I love it because it’s fun… she’s not going for sexy. She’s going all in.” (45:46)

Summary & Takeaways

• Best Costumes: Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco, The Weeknd & Bella Hadid, Joey Fatone & Isabel Araujo, Joe Jonas & Sophie Turner — all praised for authenticity, effort, and coupling.
• Worst Offenders: Timberlake/Biel (egocentrism), Hyland/Adams (try-hard), Lautners (niche SNL—missed the mark).
• Halloween Costume Philosophy: Be on theme for your couple’s dynamics, avoid seeking social media manipulation, and don’t be afraid to get weird—or hot!
• Dating Advice: No matter your relationship status, “going different” (be it sexy, funny, or strange) is the move—committed costumes trump half-hearted attempts.

Listen or Watch for More

Watch this episode (plus actual costume visuals) at youtube.com/betches. For more recaps, polls, and dating commentary: follow @u.up.podcast on Instagram.