If you spent any time on the internet over the last two years, you know the vibe. It started with a whisper on a film set in London and ended up as one of the most scrutinized celebrity pairings in recent memory. People have been asking is ariana grande still dating ethan slater since the very first grainy paparazzi photo hit the tabloids, and honestly, the answer is a lot more stable than the comment sections would have you believe.
Despite the "Wicked" press tour finally winding down and the constant chatter about their supposed distance, sources close to the couple confirm they are very much still together as of early 2026.
They aren't exactly shouting it from the rooftops, though. You won't see them doing a "73 Questions" together or launching a joint YouTube channel. Instead, they’ve opted for a strategy that involves staying about ten feet apart on red carpets while sharing heart-emoji-laden stories on Instagram once they get home. It’s a weird way to live, but for them, it seems to work.
The 2026 Status Update: Still Going Strong
The rumors of a split usually flare up whenever Ariana attends an awards show solo. Take the 2026 Golden Globes, for example. Ariana showed up looking incredible in what fans called "Goth Glinda" attire—a structured black gown and her signature high ponytail—but she walked the carpet with her best friend Doug Middlebrook, not Ethan.
Social media went into a tailspin. "Where is he?" "Did they break up?" "Is the Wicked curse real?"
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The truth is much more boring. Insiders told TMZ and Elle that the couple made a conscious decision to keep their professional and private lives separate during the final stages of the Wicked: For Good promotion. They didn't want their relationship to be the only thing people talked about when discussing a billion-dollar movie franchise. While she was posing for cameras, Ethan was often backstage or waiting at the hotel. It’s a tactical retreat from the public eye.
Why They Keep a Distance
- Avoiding "Method Dressing" Fatigue: After years of being pink-coded for her role, Ariana is reclaiming her own identity.
- Protecting the Work: They both want the focus on their acting, not their dating life.
- Shielding from Hate: Let's be real—the start of their relationship was messy in the eyes of the public. Privacy is their armor.
How It All Actually Started
To understand where they are now, you have to look back at how this whole thing began on the set of Wicked in 2022. Ariana was playing Glinda, and Ethan was cast as Boq. At the time, Ariana was still married to real estate agent Dalton Gomez, and Ethan was with his high school sweetheart, Lilly Jay.
By July 2023, news broke that both were separating from their spouses. The timeline was... tight. This led to a massive wave of online backlash, with critics accusing them of "home-wrecking." However, multiple sources have consistently stated that neither started dating until they were legally separated.
Ariana even addressed this in a Vanity Fair interview, calling the tabloid narrative "bullshit" and praising Ethan’s heart. She mentioned that no one tries harder to be there for the people they love than him. That’s a pretty strong defense of a partner.
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The Divorce Settlements Are Done
One big reason they are able to move forward more openly now is that the legal dust has settled.
- Ariana and Dalton: Their divorce was finalized in March 2024. She paid a one-time settlement of $1.25 million and split the sale of their L.A. home. No alimony. Clean break.
- Ethan and Lilly Jay: Their divorce was finalized in September 2024. While the terms are sealed—especially regarding their young son—the legal process is officially over.
With no more court dates or legal filings looming, the couple has been seen more frequently in "normal" settings. They’ve been spotted at Disney World, at hockey games (specifically the Florida Panthers), and even at a few low-key dinners in New York City.
Is an Engagement Coming?
There are whispers. People close to the singer suggest she is still "pro-marriage" despite her past experiences. Some reports from late 2025 suggested that the couple might even elope to avoid the spectacle of a Hollywood wedding.
Whether there's a ring or not, the "corrosive" rumors that they've split seem to be just that—rumors. They survived a global press tour, a massive amount of public vitriol, and two divorces. If they were going to break up, they probably would have done it when the pressure was at its peak in 2024.
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Instead, they seem content in their quiet bubble. They share a love for theater, a shared workspace, and apparently, a shared desire to stay away from the paparazzi as much as humanly possible.
What to Watch For
If you're looking for proof they're still an item, keep an eye on their Instagram Stories. They rarely post photos of each other, but they often post photos taken by each other. A dog in the background of a living room, a specific shadow on a sidewalk—these are the "Easter eggs" they leave for fans.
They are currently navigating the transition from "co-stars" to "just a couple," and it seems they are doing it with a lot of intention. No more method dressing. No more staged "couple goals" photos. Just two people trying to figure out a life after the cameras stop rolling on Oz.
If you want to stay updated, don't look at who she brings to the next red carpet. Look at who is waiting in the car afterward. That’s where the real story is.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check Ariana's "tagged" photos for glimpses of them in the background of friend's posts.
- Follow Ethan’s professional updates, as he often returns to Broadway where they are frequently spotted together.
- Ignore the "source says they've split" headlines unless there is a formal statement; they have been "breaking up" according to tabloids every two weeks for two years.