Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater: A Relationship Under the Spotlight
Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater have once again sparked speculation about their relationship, as they have been keeping a distance from each other at recent events. The couple, who first met while working on the film Wicked, have been under constant media scrutiny since their romance was revealed in 2023.
The pair began dating after both had recently ended their previous relationships. Ariana had just divorced her husband, Dalton Gomez, while Ethan was in the process of separating from his long-term partner, Lilly Jay. Their relationship quickly became the subject of rumors and tabloid speculation, with some claiming that their romance started as an affair.
Despite the controversy, Ariana and Ethan rarely spoke about their relationship publicly. However, Ariana did come to Ethan’s defense when he faced criticism for allegedly abandoning his wife and son. She stood by him, emphasizing that he was not the person being portrayed in the media.
In recent months, it has become apparent that the couple may have quietly gone their separate ways. The last photo they shared together on social media was from January, and they have not been seen together since April. At the European premiere of Wicked: For Good in London, the two actors were noticeably distant, even though they attended the event alongside co-stars like Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, and Jeff Goldblum.
Ariana also attended a dinner in Mayfair with her family, but Ethan was notably absent. Despite this, Ethan recently shared photos of Ariana performing during the Wicked: One Wonderful Night special event, showing that their connection still exists.
A source recently claimed that the couple had been “on and off for most of this year.” They mentioned that Ethan chose not to attend the MTV VMAs with Ariana due to an argument, although they reconciled shortly after. The source described their relationship as “running hot and cold.”
A History of Controversy
When Ariana and Ethan first met in 2022 on the set of Wicked, both were in long-term relationships. After their romance became public, Lilly Jay issued a scathing statement criticizing Ariana, calling her “not a girl’s girl” and stating that her family was “collateral damage.”
Ariana later addressed the rumors that her relationship with Ethan started as an affair. In an interview with Vanity Fair, she expressed frustration over the negative coverage and the impact it had on her personal life.
“I understand why it was a field day for the tabloids to sort of create something that paid their bills,” she said. “The most disappointing part was to see so many people believe the worst version of it.”
She also praised Ethan, saying, “No one on this earth tries harder or spreads themselves thinner to be there for the people that he loves and cares about. There is no one on this earth with a better heart, and that is something that no tabloid can rewrite in real life.”
Ethan also spoke about their relationship in an interview with GQ, expressing his discomfort with the public scrutiny of their private lives. He said, “It’s really hard to see people who don’t know anything about what’s happening commenting on it and speculating and then getting things wrong about the people you love.”
A Timeline of Their Relationship
Here’s a look at key moments in Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater’s relationship:
- December 2022: Wicked begins filming in the UK.
- January 2023: Ariana quietly splits from her husband, Dalton Gomez.
- July 2023: Reports confirm Ariana’s marriage has broken down. It was also reported that she had started dating Ethan, who was separated from his wife, Lilly Jay.
- September 2023: Ariana and Ethan are spotted walking hand-in-hand at Disney World in Orlando.
- June 2024: The couple is photographed attending the Stanley Cup Finals together in Florida. That month, Ariana releases the song The Boy is Mine, believed to be about Ethan.
- September 2024: Ariana speaks for the first time about the speculation surrounding her relationship, calling it “disappointing to see so many people believe the worst version of it.”
- October 2024: Ethan praises Ariana and speaks about falling in love while working on Wicked.
- November 2024: The couple attends the Los Angeles premiere of Wicked, with Ariana seen fixing Ethan’s bow tie on the red carpet.
- January 2025: Ethan pays tribute to Ariana on social media after she is nominated for an Oscar.
- March 2025: Ethan gets emotional watching Ariana perform at the Oscars and is seen embracing her in the theater.
Despite questions about their relationship status, the couple has continued to show support for each other, liking every post they share on social media.
Last week, Wicked: For Good had its global premiere in São Paulo, Brazil, with early reviews calling it an “emotional gut punch” that was a “epic and heartbreakingly tender conclusion.”
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