Everyone thought they knew the script for the Wicked press tour. It was supposed to be all pink dresses, "Galinda" giggles, and a smooth rollout for one of the biggest movie events of the decade. But then life got messy.
By now, you've probably seen the headlines about Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater. It feels like every five minutes there’s a new "insider" claiming they’ve split, or they’re eloping, or they’re just "playing it cool" for the cameras. Honestly, the noise is exhausting. But if you look past the TikTok theories and the blurry paparazzi shots from the 2026 Golden Globes, a much more human—and complicated—picture starts to emerge.
The BF Ariana Grande Timeline: How We Got Here
Let’s be real: this started in a way that made a lot of people uncomfortable. When news broke in July 2023 that Ariana was dating her Wicked co-star, the internet basically imploded. She had just split from Dalton Gomez. Ethan was separating from his high school sweetheart, Lilly Jay, who had recently given birth to their son.
It was a PR nightmare. People were throwing around words like "homewrecker," and Lilly Jay herself didn't hold back, telling Page Six that her family was "collateral damage."
Ariana and Ethan basically went into hibernation after that. You didn't see them on red carpets together for ages. They lived this quiet, New York life, reportedly moving in together and keeping things strictly behind closed doors. They weren't trying to sell a "perfect" romance because, frankly, the public wasn't buying it.
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Why the 2026 Golden Globes Sparked Split Rumors
Fast forward to January 2026. Ariana shows up to the Golden Globes looking like a literal dream, but her "date" isn't Ethan. It’s her best friend Doug Middlebrook.
Predictably, the "bf Ariana Grande" searches spiked. Are they over? Did he finally get dumped? The truth is actually kind of boring. Insiders told The Mirror and Daily Mail that the distance was a tactical move. Ariana was a nominee for Wicked: For Good, and she didn't want the night to be about her dating life. She wanted it to be about her work. Ethan apparently gets that. He's a Broadway pro, he knows how the industry works, and he reportedly stayed home so she could have her moment without the "affair" narrative resurfacing for the millionth time.
Is It "Toxic" or Just Tired?
In late 2025, some tabloids started using the word "toxic." They claimed the wedding plans were off and that the spark had fizzled out once the Wicked bubble burst.
But you have to consider the source.
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While some Reddit threads are convinced she’s already moved on to the next guy, those closest to the couple describe something much more domestic. They’re "like an old married couple," apparently. Think board games and Netflix binging rather than clubbing in Mayfair.
- The "Back Burner" Theory: During the massive global tour for Wicked: For Good, Ariana reportedly put the relationship on the back burner.
- The Professional Distance: They deliberately avoided being photographed as a duo at the London premiere to keep the focus on the chemistry between Glinda and Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo).
- The Social Media Crumbs: Despite the lack of red carpet PDA, Ethan was right there on her Instagram stories during Boxing Day, and he was the first to shout out her Oscar nomination in early 2026.
What People Get Wrong About Ethan Slater
Most people just see him as "the SpongeBob guy" or the guy who left his wife. But for Ariana, it seems to be about the shared experience. They spent years in the trenches of a massive film production.
He’s talented—a Tony nominee who’s now carving out a path in film and off-Broadway projects like Marcel on the Train. He isn't just a "boyfriend"; he’s a collaborator. Whether that relationship survives the transition from a movie set to real life is the big question.
There’s a massive difference between falling in love in a fantasy world like Oz and making it work in the high-pressure environment of a 2026 world tour.
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What’s Next for the Couple?
If you’re looking for a big, televised wedding, don’t hold your breath. The latest whispers from sources like Radar Online suggest that if they do pull the trigger on marriage, it’ll be an elopement. Private. No cameras. No Vera Wang "Vogue" spread this time.
Ariana seems to be entering a phase where she’s protective of her peace. Between her 2026 Eternal Sunshine tour and her recent Academy Award buzz, she’s busier than she’s been in a decade.
How to stay updated without the fluff:
- Ignore the "Source" Headlines: If a headline says "Ariana is devastated," check if there's a photo or a direct quote. Usually, there isn't.
- Watch the Inner Circle: Keep an eye on Doug Middlebrook or Frankie Grande’s social media. They usually telegraph who’s actually in the inner sanctum long before TMZ does.
- Look for the "Wicked" Cycle to End: The real test of this relationship will be late 2026, once the movie hype has completely died down and they have to exist as a normal couple without a project to bind them.
At the end of the day, Ariana is 32, she’s been through a public divorce, and she’s survived more trauma than most pop stars twice her age. Whether Ethan Slater is "the one" or just a significant chapter, she’s clearly calling the shots on how much of that story we actually get to see.
To get the most accurate picture of where she's headed next, keep a close watch on her official tour announcements for the Eternal Sunshine dates, as that's where she usually shares her realest thoughts through her music.