The Unraveling of a High-Profile Romance
Ethan Slater and Ariana Grande have once again found themselves at the center of media attention, this time due to rumors surrounding their relationship. The couple, who first began dating during the filming of the Wicked film adaptation, have been under the spotlight for quite some time now.
Their romance started as an on-set affair while they were working on the two-part film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical. The second part of the film is set to release this Friday, adding more anticipation around their relationship. However, their journey has not been without challenges.
Slater was previously married to his ex-wife Lilly Jay, with whom he shares a three-year-old son. This fact has led to significant scrutiny, especially when their relationship became public knowledge. Since then, there have been ongoing speculations about whether their romance is still intact.
In recent months, Slater and Grande were seen less frequently together, leading to widespread breakup rumors. They were not seen together from April until this month, which only fueled the speculation. However, the couple recently appeared in group shots at the New York City premiere of Wicked: For Good, seemingly addressing the rumors.
Despite this, Slater’s response during an interview on the Today show sparked more controversy. When asked about working with his girlfriend daily, he avoided the question and instead spoke generally about the cast. He praised both Grande and her co-star Cynthia Erivo, but did not directly address their relationship.
A source recently confirmed that the couple is still together, despite keeping a low profile at the London premiere of Wicked: For Good. They met up after the event, although they made sure not to be seen together publicly. The insider added that the couple is reluctant to make their relationship public, citing the online chatter as a challenge.
The source also mentioned that after the after-party, Grande returned to her hotel suite, and shortly after, Slater joined her there. The Daily Mail contacted their representatives at the time, but no official statement was released.
This Monday, the couple was seen posing side by side in group shots at the New York City premiere of their new film. Last month, it was reported that their wedding plans were put on hold. Although they haven’t been seen together since April, sources claimed they’ve been “on and off” for several months.
When their romance broke in July 2023, Grande had just split from her husband Dalton Gomez, while Slater was still married to Lilly Jay. In November, claims surfaced that the couple had taken their relationship to the next level, with Grande reportedly living with Slater in New York City during his time in the Broadway musical Spamalot.
Months later, a furor broke out over the release of her singles “Yes, and?” and “The Boy Is Mine.” “Yes, and?” appears to target the hate she received over their romance, while “The Boy Is Mine” speaks about a man she shouldn’t date because she “don’t wanna cause no scene” as she is “usually so unproblematic.”
Critics have been feeding on signs that their romance may not last, with many speculating that they have silently split. Some believe they will not make their relationship public until after the Wicked: For Good premieres and the hype dies down, to avoid overshadowing the release and the run-up to the 2026 awards season.
Sources previously told the Daily Mail that Grande’s career and level of fame have been another obstacle. Slater himself described her fans as “ferocious” and “intense” in a recent interview.
As the media continues to speculate, fans are left wondering if Ethan Slater and Ariana Grande’s relationship will withstand the pressures of fame and public scrutiny.
