5 Shocking Updates On Ariana Grande And Ethan Slater's Whirlwind Romance: What's Happened Since 'Wicked' Began

The relationship between global superstar Ariana Grande and Broadway actor Ethan Slater has been one of the most intensely scrutinized stories in Hollywood, a drama that began on the London set of the film adaptation of *Wicked*. As of December 2025, the couple has moved past the initial storm of controversy, transitioning from a heavily speculated-about "showmance" to making increasingly confident and public appearances at major industry events, signaling a serious commitment to their future together.

This article provides the absolute latest, most current updates on their life, focusing on new developments in 2025, the final resolution of the divorce drama, and how the couple is navigating their highly public relationship under the unforgiving glare of the media spotlight.

Ethan Slater: A Quick Biography and Profile

Ethan Samuel Slater, born on June 2, 1992, in Washington, D.C., is an American actor, singer, and writer whose career was largely defined by his success on the Broadway stage before his high-profile relationship with Ariana Grande.

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His early career saw him gain significant acclaim for his leading role in *SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical*, which earned him a prestigious Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical in 2018. This established him as a major talent in the theater world.

Slater’s life and career took a seismic shift when he was cast as Boq Woodsman in the two-part film adaptation of the musical *Wicked* (2024 and 2025), where he met his co-star, Ariana Grande. He was previously married to Lilly Jay, a high school sweetheart, with whom he shares a young son. The public revelation of his new relationship with Grande, while still legally married, became the central focus of a massive media storm.

• Full Name: Ethan Samuel Slater
• Born: June 2, 1992 (Age 33 as of 2025)
• Birthplace: Washington, D.C., U.S.
• Known For: SpongeBob SquarePants (Broadway), Boq in the *Wicked* film series
• Awards/Nominations: Tony Award Nomination for Best Actor (2018)
• Previous Marriage: Lilly Jay (2018–2025)

The 2025 Relationship Timeline: Public Appearances and Commitment

After a period of intense privacy and avoiding joint public appearances following the initial relationship news in mid-2023, Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater have dramatically changed their approach in 2025. This shift signals a new level of seriousness and a willingness to face the public as a unit.

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A Series of High-Profile Events

The year 2025 has marked their formal debut as a couple in the entertainment world. Their first major joint appearance was at the National Board of Review Annual Awards Gala in January 2025, followed by the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards.

The most significant moment came at the 2025 Academy Awards, where Grande was a performer. The couple was seen showing rare public displays of affection (PDA) on the red carpet and inside the venue, with reports noting Slater's visible emotion as he watched Grande perform alongside Cynthia Erivo.

This coordinated string of appearances has successfully shut down persistent breakup rumors that had circulated throughout late 2024 and early 2025, instead cementing their status as a committed Hollywood couple.

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The 'Wicked' Connection and On-Set Chemistry

The foundation of their romance remains the set of the *Wicked* movie, where Grande plays Glinda and Slater plays Boq Woodsman. The intense, year-long filming process in London provided the backdrop for their connection to deepen, reportedly starting as a close friendship before evolving into a romantic relationship.

The production, known for its demanding schedule and close-knit cast, fostered an environment where the two stars spent significant time together. The narrative of a "showmance" blooming into a long-term partnership is a classic Hollywood trope, but for Grande and Slater, it came with exceptional public scrutiny due to the circumstances of their respective separations.

The Finalization of the Divorce and Lilly Jay’s Statements

Perhaps the most critical and recent development that has allowed the couple to move forward is the finalization of Ethan Slater’s divorce from his ex-wife, Lilly Jay. This legal resolution removes a major point of public contention and legal complication from their relationship timeline.

The Divorce Settlement

In a major update, the divorce between Ethan Slater and Lilly Jay was finalized and a settlement was reached in 2025. This resolution addresses the division of assets and, most importantly, establishes a formal custody agreement for their young son.

The finalization brings legal closure to a separation that was highly volatile in the public eye, with Jay initially stating she was "blindsided" by the divorce and the new relationship.

Lilly Jay’s Public Ownership

In a surprising and powerful move, Lilly Jay has recently broken her silence to offer a deeper look into the public downfall of her marriage. In an essay and subsequent interviews, Jay has discussed taking "ownership" of the situation and moving into an "acceptance stage" regarding the divorce.

Her statements, while acknowledging the emotional difficulty, have shifted the narrative from one of pure victimhood to one of personal growth and healing, which has subtly diffused some of the intense public criticism directed at Grande and Slater. This public move towards acceptance has been a significant step in allowing all parties to move on with their lives.

What’s Next for Ariana and Ethan? Rumors of Marriage and Future Projects

With the divorce finalized and their relationship now public, speculation has naturally turned to the next major milestone: marriage. Rumors have circulated about Ariana Grande's desire to "rush to marry" Ethan Slater, though these reports remain unconfirmed by the couple.

However, industry insiders suggest that a public engagement is likely on the horizon, especially given their increasing visibility as a couple and the legal finality of their previous relationships.

The *Wicked* Release

The biggest professional event for the couple will be the release of the two-part *Wicked* film. The first part is set for a late 2024 release, with the second part, *Wicked: For Good*, scheduled for a 2025 release. The promotional tour for these films will place Grande and Slater side-by-side on red carpets globally, offering further glimpses into their dynamic as a couple and their professional chemistry.

Their roles as Glinda and Boq, while not romantically linked in the main sense, are central to the story, ensuring they will be forever tied together by the project that brought them together. The success of the film, and the couple’s ability to navigate the press tour, will be a final test of their relationship's resilience.

The journey of Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater has been anything but conventional. Starting with a whirlwind "showmance" and a public relations crisis, they have now emerged in 2025 as a solid, public-facing couple. By finalizing the divorce and making confident joint appearances, they are signaling to the world that their relationship is a serious, long-term commitment, ready to withstand the continued scrutiny of the celebrity spotlight.