Ariana Grande appears to address backlash over Ethan Slater relationship in new song 'Yes, and?'

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By Asiya Ali

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Ariana Grande has fired back at critics questioning her romance with boyfriend Ethan Slater in her new single, 'Yes, and?'.

The 30-year-old singer-songwriter released her new song on Friday (January 12), which is her first solo music release since her 2020 Grammy-nominated album, Positions.

The feel-good track is house-inspired, taking clear inspiration from Madonna's iconic 1990 'Vogue,' and bears a refreshingly positive attitude about her personal life.

Written and produced by Grande with longtime collaborator Max Martin, the 'No Tears Left To Cry' songstress appeared to allude to her new romance and let her haters know that she doesn't care about their commentary.

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Ariana Grande released her new song on Friday (January 12). Credit: DAMEBK/Bauer-Griffin / Getty

The 'Thank U, Next' pop star has been caught up in controversy in recent years due to her divorce from ex-husband Dalton Gomez after two years of marriage and her rumored relationship with Wicked co-star Ethan Slater.

The former couple announced that they would separate in July 2023, and Grande officially filed for divorce from the luxury real estate agent, 28, on September 18, with Gomez immediately filing a response, according to PEOPLE.

TMZ reported that the date of separation was listed as February 20, 2023, with Grande's lawyer, Laura Wasser, citing "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for the split.

Just days after news broke about her separation from her ex-husband, fans were left in shock by reports that the musician had reportedly found love on set with her 31-year-old co-star.

But, the reports of their rumored romance left many people confused by the fact that the Broadway alum was married to his wife of four years, Lilly Jay, with whom he shares a son. However, speculations continued to intensify as TMZ reported that the SpongeBob actor filed for divorce from Jay last summer.

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Ethan Slater with ex-wife Lilly Jay. Credit: Theo Wargo / Getty

While neither Grande nor Slater has officially commented on their alleged relationship status, the 'Break Free' singer reminds everyone to mind their business in her new song.

"I’m so done with caring, what you think," Grande belted in the second verse, before adding "No I won’t hide underneath your own projections or change my most authentic life."

Throughout the track, she tells her haters that everybody is "healing from somebody" and requests that people "don’t comment on my body, do not reply."

She even gets more specific when she states: "Your business is yours and mine is mine. Why do you care so much whose d*** I ride?" - alluding to the uproar surrounding her relationships.

The music video for the single is scheduled to drop later today after Grande teased a snippet on her Instagram page showing actors dressed as critics making remarks about her.

"You know I think liked it better when her ponytail was a few centimeters higher," one person remarked, while another added: "Who cares if she’s happy? I don’t want happy. I want art."

Most notably another scene sees one critic asking another: "Oh my god did she really do that?" while a second responds: "Well, I read it on the internet, so it must be true."

You can listen to 'Yes And?" on music streaming services now.

Featured image credit: DAMEBK/Bauer-Griffin / Getty