Ariana Grande has a way of making the world stop with a single high note, but honestly, her dating life usually does that faster. People love to talk. They love to speculate. From the "Wicked" set drama to the whirlwind engagement that gave us "thank u, next," the timeline is... a lot.
If you’re looking for a simple, clinical list, you’re in the wrong place. We’re getting into the nuances. Why did things end with Dalton? Is the Ethan Slater situation actually as scandalous as the headlines say? It’s 2026, and looking back, the patterns are actually pretty fascinating once you strip away the tabloid noise.
The Ethan Slater Era: More Than Just a "Wicked" Rumor
Right now, everyone is asking the same thing: are they still together? Yeah, they are. As of early 2026, Ariana and Ethan Slater seem to be the "real deal," despite how messy the start was. They met on the set of Wicked in London back in late 2022. Ariana was Glinda; Ethan was Boq. By July 2023, the internet basically imploded when news broke they were dating.
The problem? They were both still legally married to other people.
Slater was with his high school sweetheart, Lilly Jay. They had a baby. Jay wasn't exactly quiet about her feelings, famously telling reporters that Ariana wasn't a "girl’s girl." It was a PR nightmare. But fast forward to now, and the two have been spotted everywhere from the 2025 Critics' Choice Awards to casual date nights at Off-Broadway shows. Sources close to them say they might even be looking at marriage or a baby next. It’s a complete 180 from the "scandal" narrative the media pushed for two years.
Why the Dalton Gomez Marriage Actually Collapsed
Before Ethan, there was Dalton Gomez. He was the "normal" guy—a luxury real estate agent, not a celebrity. They started dating in early 2020, right before the world shut down.
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Quarantine was their bubble. In a way, it was the perfect environment for a relationship that might not have survived the "real world" otherwise. They got married in a super tiny, private ceremony in Montecito in May 2021. For a while, it looked like Ari had finally found her "forever."
But the cracks showed when the world reopened.
- The "Wicked" Distance: Ariana moved to London for months to film. Dalton’s job was in LA.
- Lifestyle Clashes: Dalton lived a private life. Ariana is... Ariana.
- The Separation: They actually separated in early 2023, months before the public knew.
By the time the divorce was finalized in March 2024, Ariana had to pay out $1.25 million. No future alimony, though. The album Eternal Sunshine gave us the real tea, with lyrics hinting at lies and "playing me like Atari." It wasn't the clean break the reps initially claimed it was.
The Men Who Came Before: A Timeline of Chaos and Love
You can't talk about the Ariana Grande boyfriends list without mentioning the guys who shaped her early career.
Graham Phillips (2008–2011)
They were just kids! They met on the set of the Broadway musical 13. It lasted three years, which is an eternity in teenage years. They’re still friends, which is kind of refreshing.
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Jai Brooks & Nathan Sykes (The 2012–2014 Rollercoaster)
This was messy. Jai was in the YouTube group The Janoskians. They broke up, she dated Nathan Sykes from The Wanted (they did "Almost Is Never Enough" together), then she went back to Jai. Jai later accused her of cheating on Twitter, which she denied. It was very "2013 internet" drama.
Big Sean (2014–2015)
The "problem" era. They were a total power couple. Red carpets, Grammy performances, the works. It ended because of "conflicting schedules," but fans still point to the "Thank U, Next" lyric where she says he "wasn't a match."
Ricky Alvarez (2015–2016)
He was her backup dancer. Remember the donut-licking incident? Yeah, that was with Ricky. It was a low-key relationship that didn't survive the transition from tour life to real life.
The Mac Miller and Pete Davidson Whirlwind
This is where the story gets heavy. Ariana’s relationship with Mac Miller was deep. They were friends for years before dating in 2016. They were a duo that made sense—two artists who truly respected each other. But Mac’s struggle with sobriety was a huge weight. When they split in May 2018, Ariana called it "toxic" because she couldn't be his babysitter anymore.
Then came Pete Davidson.
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It was the ultimate rebound. They met on SNL in May 2018. Within weeks, they were engaged. Pete bought a $93,000 ring. They got matching tattoos. It was "frivolous and fun," as she later told Vogue. But then Mac Miller passed away in September 2018.
That changed everything. You can't stay in a "distraction" relationship when you're grieving a soulmate. Pete and Ariana called it quits a month later. It was too much, too fast, and the foundation wasn't there to hold up the grief.
Mikey Foster: The Relationship That Maybe Wasn't?
Between Pete and Dalton, there was Mikey Foster from Social House. They did the song "Boyfriend" together. They were seen holding hands and acting "cosy," but it was never officially-officially confirmed. Most insiders think it was a brief "situationship" that fizzled out by early 2020.
What We’ve Learned About Ari’s "Type"
Looking at the full Ariana Grande boyfriends list, a few things stand out. She doesn't really have a "type" in terms of looks. She goes from rappers to realtors to Broadway stars.
The common thread? Collaborative energy. She almost always dates people she works with. Whether it’s a music video, a tour, or a movie set, Ariana falls for the people she's creating with. It’s her love language, but it’s also her biggest pitfall because when the project ends, the bubble often bursts.
Fact-Checking the Biggest Rumors
- Did she cheat with Ethan? The timeline is "grey." Both say they were separated from their spouses first. Lilly Jay disagrees.
- Is she still friends with Dalton? Not really. They’ve scrubbed each other from social media.
- Is she engaged to Ethan? Not as of today, January 14, 2026, but the rumors are louder than ever.
If you're following the saga, the best way to keep up isn't just checking the tabloids—it's listening to the lyrics. She tells on herself every single time.
For those wanting to dive deeper into the Eternal Sunshine era, check out the lyrics for "the boy is mine" and "yes, and?" They provide way more context than a PR statement ever could. If you're looking for the most accurate current updates, keep an eye on official casting announcements or red carpet arrivals for Wicked: For Good, as that’s where she and Ethan are most likely to show up next.