5 Shocking Ways Ariana Grande And Ethan Slater Shut Down Breakup Rumors In 2025

The question of whether Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater are still together has been one of the most persistent and highly scrutinized celebrity relationship mysteries of the last two years. Despite the relentless public backlash, intense media scrutiny, and a deliberate strategy to keep their romance intensely private, all signs and recent public evidence confirm the couple is very much an item as of today, December 12, 2025. Multiple high-profile public appearances throughout 2025, coupled with subtle social media acknowledgments, have decisively shut down the persistent—and often wishful—breakup speculation, proving their controversial connection, forged on the set of the *Wicked* film, is enduring.

The couple, who met while filming the highly anticipated movie musical, has navigated a relationship timeline fraught with controversy, as both were married to other people when their romance began. Their continued presence together at major industry events in 2025 serves as the ultimate, undeniable proof of their commitment, moving past the initial scandal and establishing a surprisingly stable, albeit private, partnership.

The Controversial Love Story and Complete Biography of Ethan Slater

The foundation of their relationship is deeply intertwined with the production of the *Wicked* film adaptation, where Ariana Grande plays Glinda and Ethan Slater plays Boq. Their initial connection quickly became one of the most talked-about celebrity stories of the decade due to the timing of their respective separations.

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Ethan Slater: Actor, Singer, and Broadway Star

• Full Name: Ethan Samuel Slater
• Date of Birth: June 2, 1992
• Age: 33 (as of 2025)
• Place of Birth: Washington, D.C., U.S.
• Occupation: Actor, Singer, Writer, Composer
• Known For: Starring as SpongeBob SquarePants in *SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical* (2017), a role that earned him a Tony Award nomination.
• Key Role: Boq Woodsman in the two-part film adaptation of the musical *Wicked* (2024 and 2025).
• Previous Marriage: Married to Lilly Jay from 2018; they share a son born in 2023.

The Shocking Relationship Timeline

The timeline of their romance is critical to understanding the public's fascination and criticism. It began discreetly and only became public after the announcement of their respective divorces.

• December 2022: Ethan Slater officially joins the cast of *Wicked* alongside Ariana Grande in London. Both are married at the time: Grande to Dalton Gomez, and Slater to Lilly Jay, with whom he was expecting a child.
• Early 2023: Filming and rehearsals for *Wicked* commence in London. The pair reportedly develop a close bond on set.
• July 2023: News breaks that Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez have separated after two years of marriage. Shortly after, it is reported that Grande is dating Ethan Slater. Simultaneously, news confirms that Ethan Slater has filed for divorce from Lilly Jay.
• July 2023 (Controversy Erupts): Ethan Slater's estranged wife, Lilly Jay, makes a public statement to the media, calling Ariana Grande "not a girl's girl" and stating her family was "collateral damage." The public scrutiny intensifies to a fever pitch.
• Late 2023: The couple takes significant steps to keep their relationship out of the public eye, focusing on their respective divorces and the continuation of the *Wicked* filming schedule.
• September 2024: Reports confirm that Ethan Slater and Lilly Jay have finalized their divorce settlement. Ariana Grande's divorce from Dalton Gomez is also finalized around this time.

The 5 Undeniable Proofs That Ariana and Ethan Are Still Together in 2025

Despite the persistent "breakup rumor" cycle that plagued them throughout 2024, the couple made a series of high-profile, calculated public moves in 2025 that served as their quiet, definitive response to the speculation. These appearances and acknowledgments are the strongest evidence that their relationship is not only intact but thriving.

1. Rare PDA at the 2025 Academy Awards

The biggest confirmation came at the 97th Academy Awards in March 2025. Ariana Grande, attending due to her involvement with the *Wicked* film's buzz, was accompanied by Ethan Slater. While they did not walk the red carpet together, they were reportedly seen inside the venue showing rare public displays of affection (PDA) and spending the entire evening side-by-side.

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2. The Protective Moment at the 2025 SAG Awards

Further solidifying their status, the couple attended the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards in early 2025. Ethan Slater was caught on camera in a viral moment acting protectively of Ariana Grande as they navigated a crowded venue. This small, unscripted gesture of care spoke volumes to fans and the media, instantly quashing any lingering rumors of a split that had ramped up after a period of no joint sightings.

3. Ethan’s Public Endorsement of Her 2025 VMAs Win

In September 2025, Ethan Slater used his private social media to publicly celebrate Ariana Grande's victory at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs). Although he did not attend the event with her, he posted a congratulatory message on his Instagram Stories, a subtle but significant move that directly "squashed breakup rumors" that had circulated due to their separate attendance. This was a clear, current-day signal to the world that he was supporting her career and they were still a couple.

4. Joint Appearances at Industry Galas

Beyond the major televised awards, the couple was also spotted together at more intimate, but equally high-profile, industry events. They attended The National Board of Review Annual Awards Gala in January 2025, further demonstrating their willingness to appear as a united front at key Hollywood gatherings. These joint appearances, though carefully managed to maintain their desired privacy, are definitive proof of their ongoing relationship.

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5. Consistent Confirmation from Close Sources

Throughout 2025, multiple sources close to the couple have consistently confirmed their status to various media outlets. One major publication reported in late 2025 that Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater are "very much still together" and have been actively shutting down persistent breakup chatter. The narrative from their inner circle is uniform: they are committed, and the relationship is serious, with some rumors even suggesting they may be planning to marry in 2026.

Navigating the Future: Privacy, *Wicked*, and Topical Authority

The relationship between Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater is unique in its public perception. The couple has adopted a strategy of extreme privacy, which ironically fuels the very rumors they are trying to avoid. Their intention, according to sources, is to keep their personal life separate from the intense media scrutiny, particularly in light of the highly publicized and negative reaction to their initial pairing.

The release of the two-part *Wicked* film—*Wicked: Part One* (2024) and *Wicked: For Good* (2025)—presents a continuous challenge. They must promote the movie while navigating the public's intense focus on their off-screen romance, which began with their characters, Glinda and Boq, on the set. Their decision to appear together at major 2025 press events, such as the Oscars and SAG Awards, indicates a calculated shift towards a more public acknowledgment, likely to prevent the relationship drama from overshadowing the film's success.

Ultimately, the answer to "Are Ariana and Ethan Slater still together?" is a resounding yes. Their continuous, albeit rare, public appearances in 2025, along with the consistent reporting from reliable sources, confirm that the *Wicked* costars have successfully transitioned their controversial on-set romance into a long-term, committed relationship. They continue to prioritize discretion, but their actions—from red carpet appearances to subtle social media support—speak louder than any official statement. The saga of Glinda and Boq continues, and for now, the topical authority on their relationship status is clear: they are together.