Everyone has an opinion on who Ariana Grande is dating. Honestly, it's exhausting. You’ve probably seen the headlines or the messy TikTok threads claiming they’ve split, then claiming they’re engaged, and then back to "it’s complicated." But if you actually look at the facts—not just the clickbait—the story of Ariana Grande and her boyfriend, Ethan Slater, is a lot more grounded than the internet wants it to be.
They aren't just a "fling" from a movie set. It’s 2026, and they’ve survived a press tour that would have broken most Hollywood couples. People love to speculate because the timing of their start was, let’s be real, a total whirlwind. But as of right now? They're still very much a thing.
Why Everyone Is Still Talking About Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater
The obsession started back in 2023 on the set of Wicked. Ariana was Glinda. Ethan was Boq. While the cameras were rolling in London, their real lives were shifting in a massive way. Ariana had split from her husband, Dalton Gomez, and Ethan was navigating a separation from his wife, Lilly Jay.
The internet lost its mind.
People were calling it a "scandal," but if you listen to what’s actually being said by those in the room, it was more about two people finding a connection during a massive life transition. Fast forward to January 2026, and they’re still showing up for each other. Just recently, at the 2026 Golden Globes, Ariana was there as a nominee for Wicked: For Good. While she walked the carpet with her best friend Doug Middlebrook—which sent the "breakup" theorists into a frenzy—insiders confirmed Ethan was cheering her on from a less public spot.
🔗 Read more: Does Emmanuel Macron Have Children? The Real Story of the French President’s Family Life
The Press Tour Pressure
Promoting a movie like Wicked is basically a marathon. Ariana and Cynthia Erivo were everywhere. They were crying in interviews, wearing matching custom gowns, and being "insufferable" (Ariana’s own words, jokingly) because they love each other so much.
Where was Ethan?
Mostly in the background. And that was on purpose. Sources close to the couple say he didn't want to distract from the movie’s success. He knows he’s not the "selling tool" that Ariana is. He’s a theater pro. He gets how the business works. While the world was looking for "split" clues because they weren't standing side-by-side in every single cast photo, they were actually holding hands backstage at the London premiere in November.
Moving Past the "Homewrecker" Narrative
You can't talk about Ariana Grande and her boyfriend without acknowledging the elephant in the room: the drama with Ethan’s ex-wife. Lilly Jay’s "not a girl’s girl" comment became a meme almost instantly. It was harsh. It was public. And it painted a target on Ariana's back.
💡 You might also like: Judge Dana and Keith Cutler: What Most People Get Wrong About TV’s Favorite Legal Couple
But relationships are rarely as black and white as a Page Six headline. Ariana addressed the noise in her Eternal Sunshine album, basically telling the world to mind their business. Songs like "Yes, And?" and "The Boy Is Mine" weren't just pop hits; they were her way of reclaiming the narrative. She’s done playing the villain in a story she didn't write.
A Typical Tuesday for the Couple
What does their life actually look like when the glitter wipes off? According to reports from early 2026, they’re basically an "old married couple."
- They play board games.
- They binge-watch shows.
- They stay in rather than hitting the club.
It sounds boring, right? For a global pop star, boring is probably a luxury. They’ve been spotted at Disney World with Ariana’s mom, Joan, and her brother, Frankie. That’s usually the sign that things are serious. If you’re meeting Frankie and Joan for a day at Epcot, you aren't just a rebound.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Timeline
The biggest misconception is that they "ran off" together while still happily married to others. Sources have repeatedly told People and TMZ that both were separated before things turned romantic. Is it possible there was a "spark" while they were still with their exes? Sure, we're human. But the legal filings and the actual dates of separation suggest a much cleaner break than the comments section would have you believe.
📖 Related: The Billy Bob Tattoo: What Angelina Jolie Taught Us About Inking Your Ex
By the time the Wicked sequel, Wicked: For Good, hit theaters in late 2025, they had been together for over two years. In Hollywood years, that’s practically a lifetime.
The Future for Ariana and Ethan
So, what’s next? Ariana is gearing up for her Eternal Sunshine world tour in 2026. Ethan is busy with his own projects, including his Off-Broadway play Marcel on the Train. They're both at the top of their games professionally.
There’s talk of them "going off the grid" a bit more now that the heavy movie promotion is over. And honestly, who can blame them? Dealing with millions of people analyzing your every blink is a lot of pressure. They seem to have found a rhythm that works: public support when it matters, and total privacy when the cameras go home.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Observers
If you’re trying to keep up with the latest on Ariana Grande and her boyfriend, here is the best way to filter the noise:
- Check the sources. If it’s an "anonymous TikToker," take it with a grain of salt. Look for confirmations from People or Variety.
- Look for the small details. Notice Ethan supporting her at SNL or Ariana wearing a specific piece of jewelry. They communicate through these tiny signals rather than big Instagram posts.
- Respect the privacy. They’ve clearly made a choice to keep their "home life" separate from their "work life."
The reality is that Ariana seems happier and more settled than she has in years. Whether you love the pairing or still have questions about the 2023 drama, it’s clear that Ethan Slater is a massive part of her world. Their relationship isn't a PR stunt for a movie; it’s a real-life partnership that has stood up to some of the most intense scrutiny in modern pop culture.
Stop looking for a breakup that isn't happening. Instead, look at how they've managed to build something solid in the middle of a literal hurricane of fame.