Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater: A Complete Timeline of Events
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What's really going on with Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater? The two theater kids have set media and the Internet ablaze over the past several months with speculation around the details of their relationship.
ICYMI: Ethan Slater is a 31-year-old actor and singer best known for his role as SpongeBob in SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical, for which he earned a Tony nomination and won a 2018 Drama Desk Award. Grande and Slater are currently costars in the upcoming two-part Wicked movie adaptation, slated to release in theaters on November 27, 2024.
Read More: Wicked Movies: Release Date, Cast, Trailer, and Everything You Need to Know
It goes without saying that there's a lot we don't know about Grande and Slater's personal lives, not to mention the intimate details of their former marriages and reported romantic relationship. The singer reminded the public of that much after the release of her seventh studio album Eternal Sunshine, which thematically centered around Grande's relationships with heartbreak, love, and personal growth.
“Hi I just wanted to say anyone that is sending hateful messages to the people in my life based on your interpretation of this album is not supporting me and is absolutely doing the polar opposite of what I would ever encourage,” Grande wrote in a statement in the days after her album dropped. "Although the album captures a lot of painful moments, it is also woven together with a through line of deep, sincere love. If you cannot hear that, please listen more closely.”
Much of the conversation around the new couple is based on unnamed sources and not the involved parties themselves — though Slater's ex-wife did speak out — so it's best to take every detail with a healthy dose of skepticism. Below, read a complete timeline of events for a glimpse into Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater's relationship journey.
April 7, 2024: Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater hold hands after she came to support him on Spamalot.
Ethan Slater is currently gearing up for his final performance as Prince Herbert on Broadway's Spamalot on April 7, and Ariana Grande is dutifully being a supportive girlfriend. Over the first weekend of April, Grande was seen supporting her partner in New York City as Spamalot comes to an end. Grande was seen posing with Slater and his Spamalot costars backstage and even venturing out into the NYC streets holding hands in front of fans.
Multiple fan videos (which you can see here and here) captured Grande and Slater exiting the Broadway theatre where Spamalot currently shows while holding hands without a care in the world. The couple was all smiles as they greeted fans and showgoers outside the venue, who congratulated her on the one-month anniversary of the release of her album Eternal Sunshine. The videos and pics of Grande and Slater holding hands spread like wildfire on social media, with many fans commenting on how happy the “Yes, And?” star looks. ICYMI, Grande also attended the opening night of Spamalot, which makes this a full-circle moment.
Related: Bowen Yang Defends Ariana Grande Amidst Eternal Sunshine Speculation
March 27, 2024: A source claims “things are getting more serious” between Grande and Slater.
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About a week after news broke that Ariana Grande's divorce from Dalton Gomez had been finalized, a source told Entertainment Tonight that the singer was “feeling great” and “super proud of her new album.”
“Ethan has been by her side, supporting her both personally and professionally,” said the source. “They're looking towards the future and everything that's in store for them as a couple and as individuals. Things have been getting more serious.” With Grande supporting Slater during his Spamalot run, it makes sense that he'd be just as supportive during her Eternal Sunshine rollout. Soon, they'll be in the trenches together when the Wicked: Part One press run kicks off in fall 2024.
October 31, 2023: Grande attends the opening night of Slater's Broadway show.
On Halloween, Slater took the stage as Prince Herbert/The Historian in the Broadway revival of Spamalot, and one very special audience member was there to cheer him on. As noted by People, a fellow showgoer recorded a quick video of Grande in the audience watching her rumored boyfriend perform.
Apparently, Grande has been by Slater's side during rehearsals and loved the show. “She has seen it during tech rehearsals,” a source told People. “She was so sweet last night, taking pictures with fans and gushing about how much she was enjoying the performances. She's a theater kid at her core, so you see she really feels at peace being around Broadway."
Grande attended the performance with her good friend and Halloween costume collaborator Elizabeth Gillies, who posted about it on Instagram Stories. (Grande then shared Gillies' Story to her own channel with some cute GIFs.)
October 21, 2023: Grande and Slater are spotted on a romantic dinner date in NYC.
Shared living space or not, Grande and Slater seem to be enjoying time together in New York. As reported by TMZ, the couple was seen on a cozy dinner date over the weekend of October 21. Grande and Slater were seen dining at the MO Lounge of the luxurious Mandarin Oriental Hotel, which overlooks Manhattan's Central Park. (Romantic much?) It's unclear what the duo ordered, but whatever it was apparently came with a heaping side of PDA, as sources told TMZ they were “super flirty and touchy-feely.” Judging by some of the (admittedly very blurry) photos the outlet got, that seems about right.
October 4, 2023: Grande and Slater are reportedly living together in New York City.
From co-stars to friends to couple to roomies. According to Us Weekly, Grande and Slater took a big step in their reported relationship and have moved in together in New York City. “Ethan informed his friends and soon-to-be ex-wife that he’s living with Ariana full-time in New York,” a source told the pub. “They’re really happy and really good for each other… All of her friends love him.”
The locale does make sense for the pair, as Slater has been in rehearsals for the Broadway revival of the musical Spamalot, where he'll play the dual roles of the Historian and Prince Herbert. That's about all we know about the situation thus far; as always, a report that hinges on an unnamed source may be true, but without confirmation from Grande, Slater or their respective teams, it's still just a rumor for now.
September 26, 2023: Grande and Slater are spotted on a date at Disneyland.
The reported couple were seen together at Disneyland on September 26, both dressed down in hoodies and baseball caps for their evening outing; Grande even appeared to be wearing a Wicked hoodie. In a photo shared by PopCrave, you can see the two walking arm-in-arm. “They went with a big group of friends as well her mom and brother," a source told People of the pair, sharing that they are “really happy and really good for each other" and that “all of her friends love him.”
September 6, 2023: Slater returns to Instagram with subtle support from Grande.
After taking some time off from social media, Slater returned to Instagram with a small carousel of pics including a photo of himself, a dog in a window, and a rehearsal for his upcoming Broadway production, Spamalot. Grande was (subtly) there to show her support by giving his post a double tap, and you know fans didn't miss it — especially since both Grande and Slater currently have comment restrictions on their Instagram profiles.
September 4, 2023: A source claims Grande and Slater tried to navigate their romance “respectfully.”
Grande and Slater have kept their reported relationship very quiet, but a source claiming to be a close family friend gave People more info about what's really going on with them and their exes in early September.
“People have tried to question the timeline,” the source shared. “The truth is, Ariana and Ethan didn’t begin seeing each other until after both parties were separated, respectfully. They are doing their best to balance the fact that they are in the public eye with the desire to be respectful to all parties involved.”
August 3, 2023: Grande and Gomez went on double dates with Slater and his wife.
According to the Daily Mail, a source claims that Grande and Gomez went on double dates with Slater and his ex-wife Jay. The four were reportedly seen on the outings by other cast members. This comes after reports that Grande had spent time with the couple. Page Six claims that Slater and Jay even met Grande's family.
July 27, 2023: Slater's ex-wife Jay speaks out.
Jay, Slater's estranged wife, broke her silence about the situation, speaking to Page Six: “[Ariana’s] the story really. Not a girl’s girl. My family is just collateral damage.” Jay told the publication that she's currently focused on her son and “being a good mom,” adding, “The story is [Grande] and Dalton."
An insider close to the new couple also reiterated to Page Six that Slater and Jay had been separated for two months before his relationship with Grande began. “[Jay is] rightfully upset because her marriage fell apart, but Ariana and Ethan didn’t do anything wrong… Ethan is trying to take the high road and hopes he can resolve this situation for the sake of their child.”
July 27, 2023: A source says Grande and Slater are "full-on dating."
A source told People that the two actors had an instant connection. “It was obvious on the set from early on... they were very sweet to each other and often seen laughing together," the outlet reported. “Everyone just thought they were both happily married though and didn’t expect them to end up dating.” The source also added that the pair are currently “full-on dating.”
July 26, 2023: Slater files for divorce from his wife.
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As noted by People, Slater formally filed for divorce from Jay on Wednesday, July 26 in New York.
July 20, 2023: Grande and Slater are rumored to be dating.
Days after Grande's split became public, rumors began to circulate that she was dating her Wicked costar, Slater, whom she met on set. TMZ was first to report the news, and shared that Slater was also separated from his wife Lilly Jay. “Ariana and Dalton separated in January," a source confirmed to People. “She and Ethan recently began dating, and he is separated from his wife.” An additional source told TMZ that “Ari and Ethan are just trying to lay low and be respectful of their exes as they pursue this new relationship.”
July 20, 2023: Grande deletes wedding photos from Instagram.
Shortly after the news broke of their separation, Grande quitely wiped her Instagram of any trace of Gomez, including their wedding photos, save one photo carousel in which he appears. Grande has yet to publicly address the breakup.
July 17, 2023: Grande and Gomez separate.
After Grande was seen without her wedding ring at Wimbledon 2023, rumors of a split between the pop star and Gomez began to fly. Soon enough, TMZ reported that the couple had been separated since January. The outlet also reported that the couple had attempted a reconciliation, but ultimately decided to go their separate ways.
A source told People that distance factored in the split, given Grande was in England for much of the year filming Wicked, and Gomez, a real estate agent, was based in Los Angeles. "She was happy in Los Angeles for a couple of years. She wanted to make a life there with Dalton," the source claimed. "He is super focused on his career and needs to live in Los Angeles. It's definitely been an issue for them. Dalton's career is demanding and he can't leave Los Angeles often. So when [Grande] started filming Wicked in England, they were in for a long-distance marriage."
August 2022: Slater and wife Lilly Jay welcome a baby.
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The married couple welcomed their first child, a son, in August 2022.
August 2021: Grande gives fans a rare glimpse into her married life.
Grande and Gomez kept their relationship extremely private and were rarely spotted together, though Grande did occasionally share photos of their happy moments on Instagram, as she did in August 2021.
May 2021: Grande marries Dalton Gomez.
Grande and Gomez, who began dating during the early days of the pandemic, got engaged in late 2020 and tied the knot in a super-small and private ceremony in Montecito, California. Grande wore custom Vera Wang, Lorraine Schwartz jewelry, and the platinum and diamond engagement ring Gomez custom co-designed for her.
December 2022: Ethan Slater is cast as Boq in Wicked.
In winter 2022, Slater joined the Wicked cast as Boq, a Munchkinland resident who is the love interest of Elphaba's sister Nessarose and eventually becomes the Tin Man. At the time, Slater had been married to his high school sweetheart, Lilly Jay, since 2018. They started dating in 2012.
November 2021: Ariana Grande is cast as Glinda in Wicked.
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In November 2021, Ariana Grande was officially cast in the Wicked adaptation as Glinda the Good Witch, opposite Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. Grande, a noted theater kid, has long been a passionate fan of the musical. For NBC's 15th anniversary celebration of the musical in 2018, Grande performed a special rendition of “The Wizard & I."
Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue
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