Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater have reportedly ended their relationship after nearly three years together.
The ‘Wicked’ co-stars quietly split months ago, according to reports published June 8. The breakup comes as Grande launches a major new chapter in her music career, with her ‘Eternal Sunshine Tour’ kicking off June 6.
It is a sharp turn for a relationship that drew attention from the start. Grande and Slater first made headlines in July 2023, when reports of their romance surfaced while both were navigating divorces.
Ariana Grande And Ethan Slater Reportedly Split
Grande and Slater kept their romance mostly private, even as public interest stayed intense. They occasionally supported each other at public events and on social media during promotion for ‘Wicked’ and ‘Wicked: For Good.’
Still, the scrutiny never fully faded. Their relationship began under a harsh spotlight, and the timing sparked major criticism online.
Grande addressed that attention in a September 2024 Vanity Fair interview.
“Of course, I went through a lot of life changes during the filming of this movie,” Grande said. “Many people working on it did.”
She added that the situation gave tabloids plenty to work with.
“We were away for two years,” she said. “So, I understand why it was a field day for the tabloids to create stories that paid their bills.”
Grande Defended Slater Amid Backlash
Grande has rarely shared details about her relationship with Slater. But she did push back on the public’s reaction to him.
“It was definitely a challenging time,” she said.
She also said the tabloid version of Slater did not match the man she knew.
“The tabloids’ portrayal of him couldn’t be further from the truth,” Grande said.
The relationship played out alongside two high-profile splits. Grande and Dalton Gomez filed for divorce in September 2023 after nearly three years of marriage. Their divorce was finalized six months later.
Slater filed for divorce from Lilly Jay on July 26, 2023, after five years of marriage. Their divorce was reportedly finalized in September 2024.
Grande Moves Into A New Career Chapter
After Slater’s divorce filing, Jay publicly criticized the situation and later wrote a personal essay for The Cut in December 2024.
“Gradually, I’ve come to believe that despite the loss of the life I had planned with my high-school sweetheart, a future filled with joy awaits me and my child,” Jay wrote.
She added that she and Slater remain committed to co-parenting their son.
Now, Grande is moving forward with a packed calendar. Her ‘Eternal Sunshine Tour’ marks her return to the stage six years after the ‘Sweetener World Tour.’ Her next album, ‘Petal,’ is set for release July 30.
So, while one chapter with Slater has reportedly closed, Grande’s next era is already moving fast.
