If you were online in the summer of 2023, you probably remember where you were when the news broke. It felt like every corner of the internet collectively gasped. Ariana Grande, fresh off a quiet split from husband Dalton Gomez, was dating her Wicked co-star, Ethan Slater.
The reaction was fast. And honestly? It was pretty brutal.
Ethan was known mostly as the Tony-nominated star of SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical. He was a "theater kid" favorite with a wholesome image and a high school sweetheart wife, Lilly Jay. When the world found out that he and Ariana were a thing—just months after Ethan and Lilly welcomed their first child—the "homewrecker" narrative took off like a wildfire.
But now that we’ve seen the pair navigate a global press tour for Wicked and move into 2026 together, the picture looks a bit more complicated than the headlines suggested.
The Timeline Dilemma: When Did It Actually Start?
The biggest point of contention has always been the calendar. Tabloids love a scandal, and the "overlap" theory was the fuel.
Ariana and Dalton Gomez actually separated in February 2023, though the public didn't find out until July. During those months in between, Ariana was in London filming Wicked. Ethan was there too, playing Boq. Sources close to the production have since insisted that the Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater relationship didn't turn romantic until both were already separated from their spouses.
Still, the optics were tough. Ethan filed for divorce from Lilly Jay in July 2023, right as the news of his new romance went nuclear.
Lilly Jay didn't hold back at the time, telling Page Six that her family was "collateral damage" and that Ariana was "not a girl’s girl." It’s a quote that still follows Ariana today. It painted a picture of a shattered home, and for a while, the public didn't want to hear anything else.
Seeing Through the Noise
Ariana eventually addressed the vitriol in her own way. Her 2024 album, eternal sunshine, felt like a massive exhale. Songs like "yes, and?" were basically a middle finger to the people obsessed with her personal life. She told Vanity Fair that it was "disappointing" to see people believe the worst version of a story they knew nothing about.
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She described Ethan as a "wonderful, hardworking" person.
The drama was loud, but the relationship stayed quiet. They weren't posting "soft launches" every week. They were just... there. Supporting each other at Broadway shows like Spamalot or grabbing dinner with Ariana’s dad in NYC.
Why the Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater Relationship Still Matters in 2026
We are now well past the initial shock. The Wicked movies have been released, and the couple has survived the most intense scrutiny a celebrity pair can face.
The reason people are still talking about them isn't just about the gossip. It’s about how we consume celebrity "truth."
- The Human Cost: Ethan has been very vocal lately about protecting his son. On a recent podcast, he mentioned he doesn't tell "stories or anecdotes" about his kid because he wants him to meet the world on his own terms.
- The "Wicked" Connection: Working together on a massive, years-long project like Wicked creates a bond most people won't ever understand. They spent twelve hours a day in "Oz" while their real lives were falling apart back home.
- Privacy as a Strategy: Unlike some of Ariana’s past relationships (think Pete Davidson), this one has been remarkably guarded. They often attend events separately or stay blocks apart on red carpets to avoid becoming a "public sideshow."
The Current Status
As of early 2026, the two are reportedly "in a solid place."
There were rumors after they didn't walk the Golden Globes carpet together this year, but insiders say that was a conscious choice. They are trying to let the work speak louder than the relationship. Ethan has finalized his divorce, and Ariana’s settlement with Dalton Gomez—which included a $1.25 million payment—is long settled.
They’ve moved in together in New York. They have dogs. They do "normal" things.
What Most People Get Wrong
The internet loves a villain. It’s easier to say "she stole him" than to acknowledge that marriages end for a thousand tiny, private reasons.
Lilly Jay’s pain was real, and nobody can take that away from her. But Ethan and Ariana’s defense has always been that they were two people who found something meaningful during a transitional, lonely time in their lives.
Was it messy? Definitely. Life usually is.
But if you’re looking for the "gotcha" moment where someone admits to a calculated affair, you’re probably going to be waiting forever. The reality is likely just two co-stars who fell in love in a bubble and had to face the consequences once the bubble popped.
How to Navigate Celebrity News Without Losing Your Mind
If you're following the Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater relationship or any other high-profile romance, here are a few ways to stay grounded:
- Check the Source: "Sources" in People usually come from the celeb's PR team. "Sources" in TMZ often come from people looking for a payday.
- Acknowledge the Gap: Remember that we see about 5% of these people's lives. We don't hear the kitchen conversations or the phone calls with lawyers.
- Look for Longevity: Fleeting PR stunts usually fizzle out after the movie premiere. The fact that these two are still together years later suggests there’s more to it than just "Wicked" promotion.
If you want to keep up with the latest, keep an eye on official Broadway casting or Ariana’s rare, aesthetic-heavy Instagram dumps. That’s usually where the real breadcrumbs are hidden.