If you’ve spent time online, you’ve likely seen the rumblings about Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater’s relationship. The pairing was a bit of a shock to fans because the Wicked co-stars’ were both in public relationships when rumors of their romance began to swirl. Grande and Dalton Gomez got married in 2021 and separated in early 2023. Slater was previously married to Lilly Jay, with whom he shares a son. The two married in 2018 but started dating in 2012. After news about Grande and Slater’s relationship made headlines, he and Jay separated. Grande and Slater have not publicly confirmed their relationship, but it’s pretty clear they’re a couple, especially since they’ve been spotted together on several occasions.
Grande’s known for riddling her music with easter eggs about her relationships, and she’s already made some hints at her new romance in her lead single, “yes, and?” Hopefully, we’ll get better insight into her short-lived marriage and her new relationship after listening to this new album, but in the meantime, here’s a timeline of Grande and Slater’s relationship.
December 2022: Ethan Slater joins the cast of Wicked.
A year after Grande joined the cast of the live-action adaptation of Wicked, Slater was cast as Boq, the love interest of Elphaba’s sister Nessarose who’s infatuated with Glinda.
March 2023: Ariana Grande & Ethan Slater were spotted together for the first time.
The first time fans saw Grande and Slater together was when they appeared in a photo from Michelle Yeoh’s Oscar party alongside Cynthia Erivo, which was shared on Instagram.
July 2023: Both Grande and Slater split from their respective partners.
On July 16, Grande appeared at Wimbledon without her wedding ring — her first public appearance where she’s seen without it.
The following day, TMZ broke the news about Grande’s split from her husband, Dalton Gomez after two years of marriage. People later confirmed that the couple had broken earlier in the year, with their source stating the two “have been working on their friendship.”
A few days later, a source told Us Weekly that Grande and Slater were enjoying each other’s company and having fun together. Another source told People that the two had started dating, with Slater having recently separated from his wife. Once the reports of Grande and Slater’s relationship went viral, Slater quickly switched his Instagram profile to private.
Slater officially filed for divorce from his wife on July 26. Not long after, Jay broke her silence on the split while sharing her thoughts on Grande and Slater’s romance. “[Ariana’s] the story really. Not a girl’s girl,” Jay told Page Six at the time. “My family is just collateral damage.”
August 2023: Sources report that Grande wants to go public with Slater.
According to Us Weekly, Grande wanted to go public with Slater but decided against it due to public perception. The source shared, “She’s very aware of how she’s perceived by her fans, and she’s trying to be mature. [But] if it were up to her, she’d be seen with him tomorrow.”
September 2023: The pair go IG official — kind of.
According to a source told People that since Grande and Slater’s relationship had “been blown out of proportion,” the two were navigating their new relationship in private.
On Sept. 6, Slater appeared back on Instagram by sharing a post which Grande liked. Did this make them somewhat Instagram-official?
A few days later, the pair were spotted together at Disneyland.
October 2023: Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater are reported to be living together in NYC.
According to US Weekly, Slater and Grande started living together in New York City. The source explained the two were happy and doing well.
Later that month, TMZ spotted the two on a romantic and PDA-filled date.
On Oct. 31, Grande supported Slater by attending and wearing a crown to the first preview of Spamalot, the Broadway musical Slater was starring in. She even attended the premiere looking gorgeous as ever.
December 2023: Grande hints at her romance with Slater on IG
Grande shared a holiday post on Instagram featuring a spam ornament, which many were convinced was a subtle nod to Slater and his role in Spamalot.
January 2023: Ariana Grande releases her hit single “yes, and?” which many think is a response to the media’s perception of her relationship with Slater.
Grande addressed all the back and forth about her relationship in her hit single “yes, and?” It was her first single release in three years and the lead track from her seventh studio album, eternal sunshine.
Grande shut down her naysayers in the standout lyrics: “Don’t comment on my body, do not reply / Your business is yours and mine is mine / Why do you care so much whose dick I ride?”
Whew, that was a lot, but we’re up to date on the happenings of Grande and Slater! These two have already been a whirlwind and it’s likely we’ll be hearing more about their relationship once eternal sunshine drops on Mar. 8.