- Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater are two of the stars of Wicked
- But the couple also began a relationship after meeting on set
- As their romance has gone from strength to strength, here’s everything we know about Grande and Slater’s relationship…
With Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater currently starring opposite each other in Wicked, fans aren’t just talking about their parts as Glinda and Boq in the global box office smash hit.
While the love Boq has for Glinda may be unrequited in the movie adaptation of the 2003 Broadway musical, Slater won Grande’s heart while the pair were on set.
But when did the couple start dating, and what have they said about each other since going public?
Pubity.com takes a look…
July 2023: Grande and Slater are dating
While it’s unclear exactly when the couple began dating, production on Wicked started at the end of 2022.
News of their relationship came shortly after Grande’s divorce from ex-husband Dalton Gomez was finalized on July 17, six months after they officially parted ways from their two year marriage.
Just two days later, several outlets reported that she was now dating Slater, who had recently separated from his ex-wife, Lilly Jay.
A source told Entertainment Tonight, “Ariana and Ethan recently started dating. They have a lot in common and have a lot of fun. They didn’t start dating until both were broken up with their significant others. Ariana and Dalton remain friends.”
October 2023: Grande spotted supporting Slater
Just a few days before filming was set to finish on Wicked, the Hollywood actors and writers strikes hit.
Although the action may have parted many couples, Slater returned to Broadway to star in Monty Python’s Spamalot – and had a very special guest waiting for him in the wings.
Grande attended the show on Halloween night to support her boyfriend – even wearing a paper Spamalot crown to get into the spirit of things!
March 2024: Grande’s new album reveals hidden messages
As one of the biggest pop stars on the planet, Grande’s seventh album was eagerly anticipated by fans.
Eternal Sunshine came on March 8, and featured tracks which touched on Grande’s split from Gomez, her new relationship with Slater – and the media backlash and false narratives that came with it.
From the off, Grande addressed her beau – and recounted a sweet moment with Slater.
“How can I tell if I’m in the right relationship?” she asks. “Then I had this interaction I’ve been thinkin’ ’bout for like five weeks / Wonder if he’s thinkin’ ’bout it too and smiling / Wonder if he knows that that’s been what’s inspirin’ me / Wonder if he’s judgin’ me like I am right now.”
The title track also appeared to refer to Slater as Grande’s happily ever after.
“I found a good boy and he’s on my side,” she sings. “You’re just my eternal sunshine.”
June 2024: Grande and Slater go public!
Keeping their relationship under wraps since reports first broke, June saw the moment Grande and Slater finally took their romance public.
The couple were spotted at a hockey game, attending the 2024 Stanley Cup Final in Florida, near Grande’s hometown of Boca Raton.
September 2024: Grande talks about Slater for the first time
Speaking for the first time about Slater, Grande addressed the backlash they had received to their romance.
In an interview with Vanity Fair on September 30, Grande said, “The most disappointing part was to see so many people believe the worst version of it. There couldn’t be a less accurate depiction of a human being than the one that the tabloids spread about him.”
While she told the outlet that she “will never go into specific details” about accusations they’ve faced, Grande only had high praise for the way her boyfriend conducted himself.
“No one on this earth tries harder or spreads themselves thinner to be there for the people that he loves and cares about,” she said. “There is no one on this earth with a better heart, and that is something that no bulls**t tabloid can rewrite in real life.”
October 2024: Slater follows suit
Just a month later, Slater also broke his silence about the couple’s relationship.
In a chat for his GQ Hype cover on October 30, the actor first recalled when he found out that Grande was cast as Glinda in Wicked – admitting that he thought she was “amazing” before they met.
“She’s a comedian who’s also got this crazy voice that can do anything,” he gushed. “My unbiased opinion is that she’s one of the best comedians that’s been in a movie in a long time. She’s a genius.”
Slater also addressed the backlash they had received, while still keeping their relationship private.
“There was something that was really difficult about things in your private life being commented on and looked at by the public,” he recalled. “It’s really hard to see people who don’t know anything about what’s happening commenting on it and speculating, and then getting things wrong about the people you love.”
Despite the harder times, Slater branded the year with his girlfriend “amazing”, and added, “I’m just really, really proud of Ari and the work she’s done on this.
“She’s poured herself into it. I’m really proud that I got to be there for that part of it, and I’m really excited to be there for this next step of it when the world gets to see the amazing thing that she did.”
November 2024: Wicked premieres across the globe
While critics and fans were excited for Wicked Part 1 to hit theaters, all eyes were also on Grande and Slater at the movie’s various star-studded premieres around the world.
While the pair were careful about their interactions, Grande and Slater obviously appeared on the red carpet together.
Sharing an adorable hug at the New York premiere on November 14, Grande was also seen adjusting Slater’s bow tie on the red carpet at the film’s Los Angeles premiere on November 9.
Grande was also quick to praise her boyfriend when he adjusted her floor length, pink (of course!) gown down a flight of stairs at the world premiere in Sydney, Australia on November 4.
In a chat with Entertainment Tonight, Grande was asked “how adorable” she found the sweet gesture.
“It’s always that,” smiled the Dangerous Woman singer. “He’s always that adorable and he’s so amazing in this film. He’s such an amazing person, I’m so happy people are getting to know him. My heart is very happy.”
Grande wasn’t the only one to gush over their partner – as Slater also paid tribute to his girlfriend.
“I’m so proud of Ariana,” he revealed. “She’s incredible in this movie. She and Cynthia are mind-blowing in this movie, and I think I’m not alone in the cast of feeling kind of privileged to witness that chemistry on set.”
