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Celebrity3 min(s) read
Published 12:29 09 Jun 2026 GMT
New information has surfaced following the breakup of Ariana Grande and her long-term boyfriend, Ethan Slater.
According to People, the Wicked costars have called it quits after almost three years together, having met on the set of the first film.
However, it turns out that the news may not be groundbreaking after all, with it instead being a rare case of celebrities being able to keep their mouths shut.
Regardless, the source told the publication: "It’s amicable, they gave lots of time and careful consideration and decided to go their separate ways.
"They are still friends and very supportive of one another. They have been quietly broken up for several months.”
The news took fans by surprise, though it will come as a relief to many that the pair remain on friendly terms.
The source added that Grande is "doing great," with the 32-year-old remaining focused on her ongoing Eternal Sunshine tour, as well as the upcoming release of her album Petal on July 31.
Grande and Slater were first linked back in July 2023 after meeting on the set of Wicked, where the former played Glinda, and the latter starred as Boq.
The pair went Instagram official back in November 2024, and would go on to appear together at numerous promotional events for both Wicked and Wicked: For Good in the couple of years since.
Slater has openly gushed about his former partner in the past, saying last November that Grande's performance in the Wicked sequel was "out of this world."
Grande took to Instagram this March to publicly support the final performance of her then-boyfriend's off-Broadway play Marcel on the Train, which Slater co-wrote and starred in.
She penned on her story on March 22: "Congratulations on a beautiful run of this very beautiful show," she said with a butterfly emoji and two outlines of hearts, "so very proud," Grande concluded.
Despite Grande getting a divorce from real estate agent Dalton Gomez mere months before her relationship with Slater blossomed, it reportedly hasn't worked out.
A source told People in November that the busy couple was trying to "make it work" due to their packed schedules, adding that they were "incredibly supportive" of their goals.
Speaking about Slater in an interview with Entertainment Tonight, back in 2014, Grande said: “He’s always adorable, and he’s so amazing in this film — he’s such an amazing person,
"I’m so happy people are getting to know him. My heart is very happy.”
celebrity3 min(s) read
Published 15:37 20 Jul 2023 GMT
Ariana Grande is dating her Wicked co-star, Ethan Slater, TMZ has reported.
The pair, who are currently filming the movie adaptation of the popular Broadway musical, reportedly their romance after meeting on set. Rumors began to swirl in March when a picture of the two at an Oscar celebration for Michelle Yeoh in London surfaced online.
The news of Grande's alleged romance with Slater comes after her split from husband Dalton Gomez earlier this year. Although divorce documents are yet to be filed, TMZ suggests that the process is in motion. Despite their separation, Grande and Gomez maintain an amicable relationship, with both parties exploring new romantic connections.
Slater is no stranger to the spotlight. Best known for his role as Boq in Wicked, Slater is also celebrated for his performance as SpongeBob Squarepants in the Broadway musical of the same name, which even garnered him a Tony Award nomination. His talents extend beyond acting, as he is also a singer, composer, and writer.
He was previously married to singer Lilly Jay since 2018, and they welcomed a son in 2020. However, sources clarify that Slater's relationship with Grande didn't start until after he and Jay had separated.
Amid the news of her separation from Gomez, a source close to the 30-year-old singer and actress shed some light on the circumstances to People. As it turns out, Grande's filming commitments for the Wicked adaptation in the UK did little to strengthen their bond, contrary to the old saying "absence makes the heart grow fonder."
"Ariana cherished her time in Los Angeles during the past couple of years. She aspired to build a life there with Dalton," the insider shared with the outlet in an exclusive report on Monday.
When it came to Gomez, who is a luxury real estate agent, his professional focus was squarely on his career in Los Angeles, the source outlined. "Dalton's career in luxury real estate is highly demanding, and it chains him to Los Angeles. When Ariana commenced her Wicked filming in England, they were faced with the daunting challenge of a long-distance marriage."
Unfortunately, their relationship didn't survive these challenges. However, the source assured, "Ariana has nothing but praise for Dalton. Throughout their marriage, he was her staunchest supporter."
celebrity3 min(s) read
Published 12:05 28 Jul 2023 GMT
Ethan Slater's estranged wife, Lilly Jay, has spoken out on the rumors of her ex-husband's new romance with Wicked co-star, Ariana Grande.
Earlier this month, it was revealed that the 30-year-old '7 Rings' singer is set to divorce ex-husband Dalton Gomez, 31, after two years of marriage.
There wasn't much information regarding the split, but Buzzfeed News said that the two have been separated since January and that Grande's fame was a factor in the decision to part ways. They also added that their marriage got more complicated when the musician moved to London to start filming for the Wicked movies in December.
Just days after news broke about her separation from Gomez, fans were left in shock by reports that the 'Thank U Next' hitmaker had found love on set with her co-star Ethan Slater, per E! News.
Ethan Slater with Lilly Jay. Credit: Theo Wargo / GettyBut, the news of their rumored romance left many people confused by the fact that the 31-year-old 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 actor filed for divorce from Jay this week.
According to the publication, the SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical star filed the legal docs in New York, and the reason for the dissolution was not immediately clear.
While neither the 'One Last Time' singer nor Slater has officially commented on their relationship status, the latter's ex-wife has broken her silence on the pair.
In an interview with Page Six published yesterday (July 27), Jay - who was in a relationship with Slater for 10 years before marrying him - said: "[Ariana’s] the story really. Not a girl’s girl," and remarked: "My family is just collateral damage."
The musician told the outlet that she's focusing on raising her and her ex-husband's baby and being "a good mom," adding: "The story is her and Dalton" - referencing Grande’s recent split from her former husband.
However, sources have alleged that Jay has been "calling every news outlet to get this story out" but is acting differently towards the Wicked star behind the scenes.
"She’s rightfully upset because her marriage fell apart, but Ariana and Ethan didn’t do anything wrong," the insider reported - alleging that Slater had been separated from Jay for two months before dating Grande. "Ethan is trying to take the high road and hopes he can resolve this situation for the sake of their child," they added.
Following reports that the couple split prior to Slater's relationship with the singer, many fans pointed out that Grande had previously "liked" two of his posts dedicated to his wife.
In one Instagram post, which was shared on Mother’s Day last May, Slater honored Jay by posting a faceless photo of their infant son’s ears and shadow with the caption: "Happy first Mother’s Day to the most loving caring and wonderful mom/person in the world."
And in another from November 2022, the Redheads Anonymous actor celebrated his four-year wedding anniversary with Jay, penning: "My best friend. Four years married. 10 together. And this is easily the best (and most bizarre) yet."
The actor has since made his Instagram account private, a move that some online users claimed "confirmed" the rumored romance between him and the 'Positions' vocalist.
Neither Grande nor Slater have commented on the reports surrounding their relationship.
entertainment news3 min(s) read
Published 16:24 24 Feb 2025 GMT
A sweet moment between Ethan Slater and Ariana Grande at the 2025 SAG Awards has been decoded by a professional lip reader.
The Wicked co-stars attended the Screen Actors Guild Awards which took place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday (Febraury 23).
Grande was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture and Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble (for Wicked).
While the 31-year-old musician ultimately left without a win, she made headlines for her stunning red carpet gown and the intimate moment she shared with Slater.
Watch the sweet moment below:
Instagram account Deuxmoi noticed the 32-year-old actor leaning in to say something to Grande while navigating a crowded space, prompting Daily Mail to consult lip reader Nicola Hickling - who revealed exactly what was whispered.
The Broadway star reportedly told his partner: "Stay near, this crowd next to me, they are pushing me." He then gently took her hand, guiding her safely through the packed venue.
Fans couldn’t get enough of the adorable exchange, with many praising Slater for looking out for Grande amid the chaos.
"He must make her feel very safe," one user said, while another commented: " I hope they are happy together."
The couple's relationship has faced public scrutiny, with rumors swirling about its timeline overlapping with their previous marriages.
In a rare move, the 'Yes And?' musician directly addressed the speculation in a September 2024 interview with Vanity Fair.
"It definitely doesn’t get any easier, seeing some of the negativity that was birthed by disreputable tabloids," she said.
The Grammy-winning star acknowledged that her life changed dramatically while filming Wicked, adding: "A lot of people that were working on it did." But she made sure to defend her partner against the harsh media coverage he received, saying: "There couldn’t be a less accurate depiction of a human being than the one that the tabloids spread about him."
"No one on this earth tries harder or spreads themselves thinner to be there for the people that he loves and cares about," she continued. "There is no one on this earth with a better heart, and that is something that no bulls**t tabloid can rewrite in real life."
The couple made their public debut in October 2023, when they were spotted enjoying a date at Disney World.
celebrity3 min(s) read
Published 13:21 12 Jan 2024 GMT
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.
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.
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.
celebrity4 min(s) read
Published 14:11 20 Dec 2024 GMT
Ethan Slater's ex-wife has opened up about her divorce and current circumstances in a scathing new message.
For those who are unaware, it was revealed in the summer that Ariane Grande and her ex-husband Dalton Gomez had been separated since January.
Sources suggested that Grande’s demanding career and a move to London for Wicked filming added strain to their relationship.
Days after news of Grande’s separation broke, reports emerged linking her romantically to Slater, known for his role in SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical.
According to TMZ, Slater filed for divorce from Jay earlier this week in New York.
Dr. Lilly Jay, Slater's ex-wife, appeared to be blindsided by this decision and has let her thoughts be known.
In the 1,807-word memoir for The Cut, Jay opens up about the painful dissolution of her marriage, her life as a single parent, and her struggle to reconcile personal heartbreak with sudden public scrutiny.
Jay’s work focuses on supporting new mothers through the challenges of pregnancy and early parenthood, and she had long sought to maintain anonymity for the sake of her clients.
She removed herself from social media at 18 to safeguard her privacy. However, the events surrounding her high-profile divorce have left her life and profession entangled in public discourse.
“No one gets married thinking they’ll get divorced, in the same way we don’t board a plane expecting to crash. But I really never thought I would get divorced,” Jay writes.
“Especially not just after giving birth to my first child and especially not in the shadow of my husband’s new relationship with a celebrity.”
Her reflections come in the wake of Slater’s relationship with Grande, which began on the set of the film adaptation of Wicked.
The project has become a bitter symbol for Jay. “I have been unable to escape the promotion of a movie associated with the saddest days of my life,” she shares.
Jay, who was married to Slater for six years, described how her current situation mirrors the experiences of many of her patients, though she acknowledges the privilege of her baby’s good health.
“I confidently moved to another country with my 2-month-old baby and my husband to support his career. Consumed by the magic and mundanity of new motherhood, I didn’t understand the growing distance between us,” she confessed.
She detailed her efforts to process her grief, writing: “In the countless hours I spend rocking my son to sleep, pushing his stroller, marveling at his sweaty little hands grasping a crayon, I work diligently on my private project of accepting the sudden public downfall of my marriage. This, I tell myself, is nothing to be ashamed of and nothing to hide.”
Despite the heartbreak, Jay remains optimistic about her future.
“Slowly but surely, I have come to believe that in the absence of the life I planned with my high-school sweetheart, a lifetime of sweetness is waiting for me and my child,” she reflects.
Jay acknowledged the shared love both she and Slater have for their son, though their parenting time is now divided. “Both of us fiercely love our son 100 percent of the time,” she wrote.
Facing the reality of life in the public eye, Jay concluded her essay with a poignant acceptance of her new reality. “If I can’t be invisible anymore, I may as well introduce myself,” she said.