Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Maddie Zieglerfirst rose to fame on the Lifetime reality seriesDance Moms.
Her stardom really took off, however, when she was cast in the award-winning music video forSia’s hit single, “Chandelier,” at just 11 years old. From there, she headed to Hollywood to pursue a career in entertainment, starring in various other Sia videos before transitioning into acting. She has since landed roles in HBO’sFallout, the Sia-directed musicalMusicandSteven Spielberg’s adaptation ofWest Side Story.
With her rising fame came some high-profile relationships. Ziegler began dating up-and-coming musician Eddie Benjamin in March 2020. Over the course of their relationship, the couple shared plenty of sweet moments together and even collaborated on some work projects.
“I feel very excited every day that I get to date him,“Ziegler said of Benjaminin January 2022. “We have such a good time together and we were best friends for a really long time before we dated. It’s like I’m just hanging out with my best friend every day. It’s really fun. It’s honestly the best. I love it.”
However, the relationship wasn’t meant to last. In February 2023, a source close to the couple confirmed to PEOPLE thatZiegler and Benjamin splitafter more than three years together.
So who is Ziegler’s ex-boyfriend? Keep reading to learn everything there is to know about Eddie Benjamin.
He is an Australian musician
Eddie Benjamin Instagram
“My parents played a huge role in my artistic upbringing. They never pushed me to do anything and really gave me freedom,” he toldWonderlandfor his December 2020 cover story.
“That song has just been with me since I was really young. I used to listen to it all the time and have always loved Amy Winehouse as an artist,“Benjamin saidof the hit song.
He has written and produced music for major stars
Benjamin first shot to fame at just 16 years old when he beganproducing music for major artistssuch asMeghan Trainor,Ryan Tedder,LabrinthandEarth, Wind & Fire. In 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic, Benjamin moved out to Los Angeles to start making music of his own. It wasn’t long before he attracted the attention of celebrities likeJustin Bieberand Sia.
Justin Bieber is his mentor
Kevin Mazur/Getty
Bieber first reached out to Benjamin after he saw a video of the young artist singing on Instagram, as Benjamin explained during an interview forWiLD 94.9. The two then struck up a friendship, with Bieber taking Benjamin under his wing and mentoring him.
In 2022, Benjamin opened for Bieber during the first leg of the Justice World Tour before the “Holy” singer had topostpone the tourdue to health issues. Zieglerjoined her then-boyfriend on the roadto show her support, tellingJimmy Fallonduring an appearance onThe Tonight Show, “I would love to see Justin of course, but I cannot wait to watch Eddie perform … I’m going to be like the groupie like following around everywhere.”
In the mini documentaryNext Chapter,Bieber gave an inside look at his relationship with Benjamin, who he has dubbed “the next generation.” The two artists sat down for a candid conversation about the pressures of being famous at a young age and Bieber offered Benjamin some career advice before the two did an acoustic duet of Bieber’s “That Should Be Me.”
He is very close with Sia
“You didn’t have your family in town when we met, and I was like, ‘Oh, I’m going to have to be your mom here.’ I just got extremely protective, as I’m over Maddie,” Sia said to Benjamin in a joint interview forInterviewmagazine.
“Moving to L.A. as a 15-year-old is very daunting. I’m quite a social person, I love to be around people who I really enjoy. When I met you guys [Sia and Ziegler] I definitely felt at home,” Benjamin added.
Ziegler slid into his DMs
In September 2021, Ziegler and Benjamin graced the cover ofHarper’s BazaarSingapore. During their joint interview, Ziegler revealed the origins of their romance and admitted that she was the one who made the first move. In typical Gen Z fashion, their relationship started on social media after Ziegler messaged Benjamin on Instagram.
“It was so random. I was a fan of him on Instagram and we started talking,” she told the magazine, adding that they exchanged messages back and forth for a bit before finally meeting up at The Grove in L.A.
“He got on a flight back to Australia that very night,” she said of their first in-person encounter. “It was so quick, and we were friends for over a year before we got together.”
HeinspiredZiegler
Timothy Norris/Getty
Although Ziegler had once vowed she wouldnever date someone in the entertainment industry, that changed when she met Benjamin. In an interview withEntertainment Tonight, she explained that instead of competing against one another, they “inspire each other every day.”
“We feed off of each other so much. I think it’s so cool that we push each other every day,” she said. “It’s cool that we can give each other advice. He’s just been so supportive.”
He and Ziegler have collaborated
In addition to inspiring each other’s work, Ziegler and Benjamin have also combined their talents for a few collaborative projects. In April 2021, Ziegler starred in themusic videofor Benjamin’s song “Speechless,” which is a track on his debut EP,Emotional. In the video, Ziegler shows off her amazing dance skills while Benjamin sings the love-inspired lyrics.
Ziegler celebrated the release onInstagram, posting some behind-the-scenes photos from the shoot and writing, “You work harder than anyone i’ve ever met. i’m the most proud and i admire you so much ❤️ the speechless music video and eddie’s ep emotional is out now !!!!!”
He and Ziegler were very open about their relationship on social media
While some Hollywood couples prefer to keep their relationship private, Ziegler and Benjamin weren’t afraid to share their romance with the world. Both stars have amassed large followings on Instagram and TikTok and they were known to post about each other on their accounts.
In 2022, Benjamin documented all the fun he and Ziegler had on the Justice World Tour on TikTok. He posted videos of Zieglerwalking on top of his tour bus, giving himpost-show head massages, teaching himskincare tipsand other sweet moments.
That same year, Benjamin showed some support for Ziegler’s career and joined her backstage for her appearance onThe Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.He postedphotosfrom the night on Instagram and wrote in the caption,“Proud is an understatement .you’re such a remarkable person and an amazing leader to so many. go bestie.” The couple also made an adorablevideoof themselves lip-synching Benjamin’s chart-topping hit, “Weatherman.” The short clip, which was posted to Ziegler’s TikTok, received over 1 million views.
He and Ziegler broke up in February 2023
After more than three years of dating, Ziegler and Benjamin went their separate ways, with sources confirming the “amicable"splitto PEOPLE in late February 2023.
Benjamin had previously hinted a breakup with his single “All for Nothing,” which was released on Feb. 10. The song had fans speculating that the couple were done thanks to lyrics like,” I don’t need to hear your point of view. Already made the choice to lose me, all for nothing.”
source: people.com
