5 Shocking Revelations About Ethan Slater And Ariana Grande’s Relationship Status In 2025

The whirlwind romance between Wicked co-stars Ethan Slater and Ariana Grande continues to dominate headlines, with the relationship proving to be far more enduring than critics initially predicted. As of December 15, 2025, the couple is not only "very much together" but has transitioned into a new, more public phase, often stepping out together at major industry events and offering rare, protective glimpses into their private life.

The intense public scrutiny, which began with their initial dating news in 2023 amid their respective divorces from Lilly Jay and Dalton Gomez, has shifted. Recent months have been defined by a series of high-profile appearances and significant personal updates, including the fallout from a candid essay by Slater’s ex-wife, all of which paint a clearer picture of their commitment as they prepare for the release of Wicked: For Good.

Ethan Slater: A Complete Profile and Career Biography

Ethan Samuel Slater is an American actor, singer, and writer who rose to prominence on the Broadway stage before landing the career-defining role of Boq in the two-part film adaptation of the musical Wicked, where he met Ariana Grande.

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• Full Name: Ethan Samuel Slater
• Born: June 2, 1992
• Age (as of 2025): 33
• Birthplace: Washington, D.C., U.S.
• Education: Vassar College
• Early Life: Slater was raised in a Jewish family and received his early education at Ohr Kodesh in Silver Spring, Maryland.
• Notable Roles:
• SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical (2016-2018): He originated the title role on Broadway, earning a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical.
• Assassins (2021-2022): Played the role of Lee Harvey Oswald/The Balladeer.
• Wicked (2024 & 2025): Plays Boq, the Munchkin, opposite Ariana Grande's Glinda.
• Music Career: Slater is also a musician and composer, releasing the extended plays "Wanderer" and "Life Is Weird."
• Personal Life: Was married to high school sweetheart Lilly Jay from 2018; they have one son. The couple separated in 2023.

The 2025 Relationship Timeline: Shutting Down Breakup Rumors

Despite relentless media speculation and persistent breakup rumors throughout late 2024 and early 2025, the couple has consistently demonstrated that their relationship is solid. Their appearances at major award shows have served as a definitive public statement of their status.

A United Front at the Critics Choice and SAG Awards

The 2025 awards season provided the most concrete evidence of their commitment. At the Critics Choice Awards, Ethan Slater made rare, candid comments about his girlfriend, praising her emotional depth and talent, particularly concerning her work on the Wicked films.

This was followed by an even more telling moment at the 2025 Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards. Slater was caught on camera acting as a protective partner, urging Ariana Grande to stay close as crowds pressed in on the red carpet. This display of public affection and security contradicted any ongoing speculation about a split, reinforcing the narrative that they are a serious couple navigating the intense glare of the spotlight together.

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Sources close to the pair confirmed in late 2025 that they are "very much together" and are reportedly even discussing making their partnership "official" in early 2026, suggesting the possibility of a future engagement or marriage once their respective divorces are fully finalized.

From Glinda and Boq to Real-Life Romance

The genesis of their romance, which began on the set of the highly anticipated film adaptation of the Broadway hit Wicked, remains a central part of their story. The pair bonded while filming the movie, where Ariana Grande plays the lead role of Glinda and Ethan Slater plays Boq, a Munchkin who is in love with Glinda’s rival, Elphaba (played by Cynthia Erivo).

News of their relationship broke in July 2023, shortly after Grande’s separation from Dalton Gomez and around the same time Slater filed for divorce from his wife, Lilly Jay. The timeline and circumstances led to significant public backlash and media scrutiny, which the couple has largely weathered by keeping their relationship extremely private—a strategy they maintained until their recent 2025 public appearances.

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The Lilly Jay Essay and the Fallout: A New Layer of Complexity

A major and recent development that added a new, complex layer to the public perception of the relationship was the essay written by Ethan Slater's ex-wife, Dr. Lilly Jay. Published in late 2024/early 2025, the personal essay detailed the breakdown of her marriage and the subsequent public fallout.

Taking Ownership of the "Public Downfall"

In her essay, Lilly Jay, a psychologist, spoke candidly about the emotional toll of the divorce being played out in the media. She took ownership of the "sudden public downfall" of her marriage, offering a poignant and deeply personal look at the aftermath of the separation.

While she did not directly attack Ariana Grande or Ethan Slater, her perspective provided a stark contrast to the Hollywood romance narrative. The essay forced the public to confront the real-life consequences of the high-profile separation, adding a necessary layer of human complexity to the story that had previously been dominated by celebrity gossip and speculation.

The Couple’s Response to Backlash and Privacy

The couple has largely chosen to remain silent on the specifics of the divorce proceedings and the public commentary, including Jay’s essay. This strategy of maintaining a low profile and focusing on their work—particularly the demanding production schedule for the two-part film *Wicked*—has been their primary method of managing the intense scrutiny.

Their recent 2025 public appearances, however, signal a subtle shift. By attending major events together and allowing brief, protective moments to be captured, they are slowly but surely normalizing their relationship in the public eye. These carefully managed moments, such as Slater’s praise for Grande’s "raw emotion" and his protective stance at the SAG Awards, serve as their non-verbal defense against the ongoing narrative of scandal.

Topical Authority and Key Entities in the Ethan Slater-Ariana Grande Story

The relationship between Ethan Slater and Ariana Grande is inextricably linked to a network of key entities and themes, which collectively define the narrative and maintain its cultural relevance:

• Wicked Movie: The central entity, the place where their professional and personal lives intersected. The two-part film, directed by Jon M. Chu, is the foundation of the story.
• Glinda and Boq: The characters they portray—Glinda the Good Witch and the Munchkin Boq—are crucial LSI keywords, as the on-screen dynamic mirrors the real-life co-star romance.
• Cynthia Erivo: The co-star who plays Elphaba, the third point in the *Wicked* leading trio, is a key figure in the cast and press tour.
• Lilly Jay: Ethan Slater’s ex-wife, whose public statements and recent essay are a vital, current part of the story.
• Dalton Gomez: Ariana Grande's ex-husband, whose separation from the pop star was announced concurrently with her new relationship.
• Public Backlash: The overarching theme of the early relationship, driven by the timing of their respective separations.
• 2025 Awards Season: Key events like the Screen Actors Guild Awards and Critics Choice Awards that provided the most recent and definitive public updates on their status.

As the release of Wicked Part One approaches, and with *Wicked: For Good* (Part Two) slated for 2025, the couple is expected to face even more joint promotional duties. This new phase will undoubtedly bring further public commentary, but the current signals suggest a united and enduring partnership, standing firm against the initial storm of controversy.