Honestly, trying to keep up with Ariana Grande’s love life lately feels like trying to track a storm that won’t stay on the radar. One minute people are convinced she’s single again, and the next, there’s a blurry Instagram story of a dog that confirms everything is actually fine. It's a lot. If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok or X lately, you’ve probably seen the "split rumors" flying around. But here’s the reality: Ariana Grande is still dating Ethan Slater.
Despite the fact that they didn't walk the Golden Globes red carpet together in January 2026—she actually went with her longtime best friend Doug Middlebrook—insiders are adamant that the couple is very much a thing. They’re just exhausted by the spotlight. After the whirlwind of the Wicked: For Good press tour, it seems they’ve decided to go "off the grid" a bit to protect what they have.
Who is Ariana Grande dating?
The short answer is Ethan Slater. They’ve been together since the summer of 2023, following her split from Dalton Gomez. You probably know Ethan as Boq from the Wicked movies or from his Tony-nominated run as SpongeBob on Broadway.
The pair has been living together in New York City for a while now. While fans were panicking because Ethan wasn’t by her side at the 2026 Golden Globes or the Critics Choice Awards, sources told TMZ and People that this was a tactical move. Basically, they didn’t want their relationship to overshadow the movie. They’ve seen how the "homewrecker" narrative took over the internet back in 2023, and they’re clearly trying to avoid a repeat of that noise.
💡 You might also like: Is Randy Parton Still Alive? What Really Happened to Dolly’s Brother
The "Old Married Couple" Phase
It’s kinda funny to think of a global pop star and a Broadway lead as homebodies, but that’s exactly what’s happening. Sources close to the couple say they’ve settled into a super domestic vibe. Instead of hitting up the hottest spots in Manhattan, they’re reportedly binging shows and playing board games at home.
- They spent Christmas 2025 together, which Ethan confirmed with some sweet, low-key photos of Ariana laughing and hanging out with her dog, Toulouse.
- He was also backstage supporting her when she hosted Saturday Night Live in late December.
- They even traveled to Singapore together with the rest of the Wicked cast for international promotion, keeping things professional but staying close behind the scenes.
Why the Breakup Rumors Started
People love a good drama, and because Ari and Ethan haven't been "Instagram official" in the traditional sense, the internet fills in the blanks. When she appeared at the 2026 Golden Globes with Doug Middlebrook, the "where is Ethan?" tweets started immediately.
There was also some chatter about a "cooling off" between Ariana and her co-star Cynthia Erivo. Some tabloids claimed Ariana had put Ethan on the "back burner" to focus on work, which morphed into "they broke up" in the game of digital telephone. But the truth is simpler: the Wicked press tour was a massive, multi-year commitment. Now that it's wrapping up, they're just trying to breathe.
📖 Related: Patricia Neal and Gary Cooper: The Affair That Nearly Broke Hollywood
What’s Next: Wedding Bells or a Baby?
This is where it gets interesting. Even though Ariana has been through a divorce with Dalton Gomez, she is reportedly still "pro-marriage."
There’s a lot of buzz from sources close to her—specifically reported by the National Enquirer and Reality Tea—that she’s ready to take the next step. Some friends are even predicting an engagement early this year. Word is, she doesn't want another massive, televised-style wedding. If they do get married, it might be an elopement followed by a private honeymoon. And yeah, the "baby" rumors are starting to swirl too, with insiders claiming she’s ready for the "whole enchilada" once they make things official.
Dealing with the Backstory
We can't talk about who Ariana Grande is dating without acknowledging the "messy" start. When they first got together, both were technically still married. Ethan had just welcomed a son with his high school sweetheart, Lilly Jay. That timeline is what sparked most of the backlash.
👉 See also: What Really Happened With the Death of John Candy: A Legacy of Laughter and Heartbreak
Ariana actually addressed this in her Vanity Fair interview and on her album Eternal Sunshine. She talked about the "hellish feeling" of watching people misunderstand the person she loves. It’s clear that the negativity from that period has shaped how they handle the media now. They aren't hiding, but they aren't performing for us either.
How to Follow the Real News
If you want to know what’s actually happening, stop looking for red carpet photos. Look at the small things:
- Overlapping Instagram stories (like the Boxing Day posts).
- Credits in her music videos or projects.
- Mentions in podcasts (like when she thanked Sean Hayes for calling them a "perfect couple" on Smartless).
The reality is that Ariana and Ethan are trying to build something stable after a very chaotic few years. Whether a ring appears on her finger in the next few months remains to be seen, but for now, the "split" rumors are just that—rumors.
If you’re keeping track of her career while she navigates this, keep an eye on her 2026 Eternal Sunshine Tour schedule. That’s usually where she drops the most hints about her personal life—either through new lyrics or those emotional mid-show speeches we all know and love.