Are Ariana and Ethan Together? What’s Actually Happening in 2026

Honestly, if you’ve spent any time on TikTok or X lately, you’ve probably seen the rumors. People are convinced they’ve called it quits. One minute they’re the most talked-about couple in Hollywood, and the next, everyone is asking: are ariana and ethan together still, or was it just a "Wicked" fever dream?

It’s complicated. Or maybe it’s not.

As of January 2026, the short answer is yes. Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater are very much still a thing. But they aren't doing the whole "paparazzi walk" every Tuesday anymore. They’ve gone underground. After the absolute hurricane of drama that trailed them in 2023 and 2024, they basically decided to stop feeding the beast.

The Award Season "Disappearing Act"

The rumors really caught fire during the 2026 Golden Globes. Ariana walked the red carpet with her bestie Doug Middlebrook. No Ethan in sight.

Naturally, the internet lost its mind. "Where is Boq?" "Did she thank him in her speech?" "Is it over?"

Insiders close to the couple say the move was 100% intentional. Look, Ariana is a pro. She knew that if Ethan was on her arm, the headlines would be about their relationship timeline instead of her performance as Glinda. According to reports from The Mirror and IBTimes, she didn't want him to be a "selling tool." She wanted the work to speak for itself.

📖 Related: Brooks Nader Naked: What Really Happened with That Sheer Dress Controversy

It’s a strategic pivot.

Behind the scenes? Things are reportedly "solid." Sources told People that they’re basically like an old married couple at home. We’re talking board games, binge-watching shows, and staying away from the fancy places where the cameras hide.

Why the "On-and-Off" Rumors Won't Die

You can’t blame people for being skeptical. Their relationship started in a pressure cooker.

1. The Timeline: Both were fresh out of marriages (Ariana with Dalton Gomez, Ethan with Lilly Jay) when news broke in July 2023.
2. The Backlash: The "homewrecker" narrative was loud. Really loud.
3. The Distance: They spent months apart while she was on her Eternal Sunshine tour and he was tied up with theater projects like Marcel on the Train.

There’s a lot of "on-and-off" chatter because they don't post each other constantly. In the world of celebrity gossip, if you aren't posting a grainy selfie together once a month, you're basically divorced.

But look at the receipts from late 2025. Ethan was backstage when she hosted SNL in December. They were spotted at the Wicked: For Good premieres looking more than fine. They even spent the holidays together with her family.

👉 See also: Brooklyn and Bailey Nose Job: What Really Happened with Those Plastic Surgery Rumors

Is an Engagement Coming?

This is where it gets interesting. While the public is busy wondering if they broke up, their inner circle is apparently waiting for a ring.

Sources told the National Enquirer and IBTimes that Ariana is "pro-marriage" despite her past divorce. There’s a lot of talk about a potential 2026 wedding—but don't expect a televised event. The word on the street is that they’ll likely elope.

They’ve dealt with enough public opinion to last a lifetime.

"She's been dropping hints that it's time for him to put a ring on her finger," says one source close to the situation.

It makes sense. If you’ve survived the level of vitriol they faced during the first year of their relationship, you’re either done or you’re in it for the long haul. It seems they chose the latter.

✨ Don't miss: Bobby Sherman Health Update: What Really Happened to the Teen Idol

The Reality of Their 2026 Dynamic

They are living together in New York. That’s been the baseline for a while now. Ethan has been balancing his Off-Broadway work while Ariana prepares for the UK leg of her tour.

It’s a "real deal" relationship now, stripped of the movie-set magic. They aren't just "Ariana and Ethan from the Wicked set" anymore. They’re a couple navigating the fallout of their pasts while trying to build something that isn't a tabloid headline.

What you should actually keep an eye on:

• The "Eternal Sunshine" Tour stops: Check if he pops up in the VIP section.
• Social Media Tags: Ariana is subtle, but she still tags him in those "life lately" carousels.
• Off-Broadway Premieres: Ariana is a theater kid at heart; she’ll be in the front row for Ethan’s projects.

The noise isn't going to stop, but the evidence points to a couple that is just tired of being the main character in everyone else’s drama. They’re together, they’re private, and they’re clearly not looking for anyone’s approval at this point.

The Move Forward: If you want the most accurate updates, ignore the "blind items" on Reddit that haven't seen them together in 48 hours. Focus on the official appearances. While they are dodging the red carpet as a pair, they are still very much a unit in the "real world." Expect a very quiet, very private 2026 for these two as they transition from "controversial couple" to "long-term partners."