Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater Relationship and Dalton Gomez Divorce Explained

Ariana Grande Ethan Slater have become one of Hollywood’s most talked-about couples since their relationship first made headlines in the summer of 2023. The pop superstar and Broadway actor sparked a media frenzy when reports emerged that they had grown close while filming the highly anticipated Wicked movie adaptation — a connection that ultimately led both to end their respective marriages. Their love story, while deeply romantic to some, has also been one of the most controversial celebrity relationships in recent memory.

From the enchanted sets of Oz to red carpet debuts and quiet New York City dates, the journey of Grande and Slater has captivated fans and tabloids alike. But to truly understand their relationship, you need to look at the full picture — including Grande’s divorce from Dalton Gomez, the public backlash they faced, and how their bond survived the scrutiny. Here is everything you need to know.

Who Is Ethan Slater? The Broadway Star Dating Ariana Grande

Before he became known as Ariana Grande’s boyfriend, Ethan Slater had already carved out an impressive career on the Broadway stage. Born on June 2, 1992, in Washington, D.C., Slater grew up with a deep passion for musical theater. He attended Vassar College, where he studied theater and honed his craft before landing the role that would change his life.

Slater rose to fame playing the title role in SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical, which opened in 2017. His performance earned him a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical — a remarkable achievement for a relatively unknown performer at the time. Critics praised his physical comedy, vocal range, and boundless energy in bringing the beloved cartoon character to life on stage.

Beyond SpongeBob, Slater has appeared in several other theatrical productions and short films. He is also a writer and producer, demonstrating creative ambitions that extend well beyond acting. His casting as Boq in the Wicked film adaptation in December 2022 brought him into the orbit of one of the biggest pop stars on the planet — and the rest, as they say, is history.

How Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater Met on the Wicked Set

The Wicked movie, directed by Jon M. Chu, became the unexpected setting for one of the biggest celebrity romances of the decade. Ariana Grande was cast as Glinda the Good Witch in November 2021, fulfilling a lifelong dream. Ethan Slater joined the cast as Boq approximately a year later. Principal photography officially began in December 2022 at studios in the United Kingdom.

According to multiple sources who spoke to People and Us Weekly, Grande and Slater developed a close friendship during the early months of filming. The long production schedule — Wicked was filmed in two parts over an extended period — gave the cast and crew ample time to bond. Sources described their connection as “instant” and rooted in a shared love of musical theater, comedy, and performance.

By the spring of 2023, insiders reported that the friendship had evolved into something more. Both were reportedly going through difficult periods in their respective marriages at the time, and they found emotional support in each other. It was not until July 2023 that TMZ and People confirmed the relationship publicly, sending shockwaves through the entertainment world.

Ariana Grande Ethan Slater Relationship Timeline

Understanding the full arc of this relationship requires a detailed look at the key moments:

• November 2021: Ariana Grande is cast as Glinda in the Wicked movie adaptation.
• December 2022: Ethan Slater joins the cast as Boq. Filming begins in the UK.
• January 2023: Grande and Dalton Gomez quietly separate after nearly two years of marriage, though this is not publicly confirmed for months.
• July 2023: Multiple outlets confirm that Grande and Slater are dating. Slater files for divorce from his wife, Lilly Jay, on July 26.
• September 2023: Grande files for divorce from Dalton Gomez, citing irreconcilable differences. The couple and friends are spotted on a public outing at Disneyland.
• October 2023: Grande and Slater move in together in New York City. Their divorce settlements are reportedly in progress.
• March 2024: Grande’s divorce from Dalton Gomez is officially finalized.
• November 2024: The couple makes their relationship Instagram-official during the Wicked Australia premiere, with Slater carrying the train of Grande’s gown in a backstage photo.
• November 2025: At the Wicked: For Good sequel premiere, Slater publicly praises Grande’s performance as “out of this world.” They are photographed holding hands on the red carpet.
• March 2026: Grande congratulates Slater on his Off-Broadway production of Marcel on the Train, and the couple continues to be spotted together in NYC.

The Controversy: Why Their Relationship Sparked Backlash

The public reaction to the Grande-Slater relationship was swift and, in many cases, harsh. The primary source of controversy was the timing — both individuals left their marriages around the same period, leading many to speculate about whether the relationship had begun before their respective separations were complete.

Ethan Slater’s ex-wife, Lilly Jay, gave a pointed interview to Page Six in July 2023, in which she described herself as “a victim” of the situation. Jay and Slater had been together since high school and had welcomed a son together in August 2022 — just months before Wicked filming began. Her public statements fueled significant online backlash against both Grande and Slater.

Grande herself faced criticism on social media, with many fans expressing disappointment. The singer, who had long cultivated a relatable and empathetic public persona, found herself at the center of infidelity accusations — though neither she nor Slater has ever confirmed that their romantic relationship began while they were still married to their respective spouses.

Sources close to the couple have consistently maintained that both marriages were already struggling before any romantic feelings developed on set. Grande addressed the scrutiny indirectly in interviews, emphasizing that she values privacy and asking for compassion during a difficult personal transition.

Why Did Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez Divorce?

Ariana Grande married Dalton Gomez, a luxury real estate agent based in Los Angeles, in a private ceremony in Montecito, California, in May 2021. The couple had begun dating in January 2020 — a relationship that blossomed during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when they were quarantining together.

Their wedding was intimate, attended by fewer than 20 guests at Grande’s home. At the time, the union seemed like a fairy-tale ending for the singer, who had previously experienced a very public and turbulent engagement with Pete Davidson. But by early 2023, cracks had reportedly appeared in the marriage.

According to court documents obtained by the Associated Press, the couple had been living separately for more than a year before Grande officially filed for divorce in September 2023, citing irreconcilable differences. Several factors contributed to the split:

• Distance and scheduling conflicts: Grande relocated to the UK for the extended Wicked shoot, while Gomez remained in Los Angeles for his real estate career. The prolonged separation reportedly strained their bond.
• Different lifestyles: Sources told People that Grande’s return to a performance-driven, public-facing lifestyle contrasted with Gomez’s preference for a quieter, more private existence.
• Growing apart: Friends of the couple said they had simply “grown in different directions” and that the split was ultimately amicable.

The divorce was finalized on March 19, 2024. Under their prenuptial agreement, Grande paid Gomez a $1.25 million lump sum, Gomez received half the proceeds from the sale of their Los Angeles home, and Grande covered up to $25,000 in Gomez’s attorney fees. No ongoing alimony was awarded. The lack of children and the prenup meant the process was relatively smooth from a legal standpoint.

Ariana Grande Dating History: All Boyfriends and Relationships

Ariana Grande’s romantic life has been a constant source of public fascination, and she has never shied away from acknowledging it — most famously in her 2018 hit “Thank U, Next,” which name-dropped several of her exes. Here is a comprehensive look at her dating history:

Graham Phillips (2008–2011): Grande’s first known relationship was with actor Graham Phillips, whom she met while performing in the Broadway musical 13. They dated for approximately three years before quietly going their separate ways.

Jai Brooks (2012–2014): Grande dated Australian internet personality Jai Brooks of the Janoskians in an on-and-off relationship that played out largely on social media. Their breakup was publicly contentious, with Brooks accusing Grande of cheating — an allegation she denied.

Nathan Sykes (2013): During a brief break from Brooks, Grande dated British singer Nathan Sykes, with whom she collaborated on the song “Almost Is Never Enough.” The relationship lasted only a few months.

Big Sean (2014–2015): Grande and rapper Big Sean made their red carpet debut at the 2015 Grammy Awards. Their relationship was one of her most high-profile at the time, but they split after approximately eight months together, citing busy schedules.

Ricky Alvarez (2015–2016): Grande dated her backup dancer Ricky Alvarez for about a year. He is perhaps best remembered for the infamous “Doughnutgate” incident, in which the couple was caught on security camera licking doughnuts at a shop in Lake Elsinore, California.

Mac Miller (2016–2018): One of Grande’s most significant relationships was with rapper Mac Miller. The two had been friends and collaborators for years before dating. Their breakup in May 2018 was followed by Miller’s tragic death from an accidental drug overdose in September 2018, an event that profoundly affected Grande and influenced much of her subsequent music.

Pete Davidson (2018): In one of the most whirlwind celebrity romances in recent memory, Grande and Saturday Night Live comedian Pete Davidson began dating in May 2018, got engaged within weeks, and called off the engagement by October of that year. The relationship, while brief, generated enormous media attention and inspired several songs on Grande’s Thank U, Next album.

Dalton Gomez (2020–2023): Grande and luxury real estate agent Dalton Gomez began dating in January 2020 and married in May 2021. Their divorce was finalized in March 2024, as detailed above.

Ethan Slater (2023–present): Grande’s current relationship with her Wicked costar Ethan Slater began in mid-2023 and has continued to grow stronger, with the couple now living together in New York City.

The Wicked Connection: How the Film Shaped Their Love Story

It is impossible to separate the Grande-Slater romance from the Wicked film that brought them together. The two-part movie adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical has been one of the most anticipated films in Hollywood, and its production became a transformative experience for everyone involved — but especially for Grande and Slater.

Grande has spoken extensively about how deeply personal the role of Glinda was for her. In interviews with Variety and Vogue, she described the experience as “the most meaningful creative work of my career” and credited the film with helping her rediscover her love for performing after several difficult years. Slater, similarly, has said that the production was a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience that pushed him as an artist.

The emotional intensity of the production — which involved months of rehearsals, vocal training, and filming in a close-knit ensemble environment — created the kind of deep bonds that sometimes cross from professional into personal. For Grande and Slater, the shared experience of bringing Oz to life became the foundation of their relationship.

The Wicked premiere tour in late 2024 and 2025 also provided some of the couple’s most memorable public moments, including their Instagram debut at the Australia premiere and their affectionate red carpet appearance at the London Wicked: For Good event.

Where Do Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater Stand Today?

As of 2026, Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater appear to be in a strong and stable place. The couple continues to live together in New York City, where both are pursuing their respective creative projects. Grande has been working on new music and recently wrapped promotional duties for the second Wicked film, while Slater has returned to the stage with his Off-Broadway production.

Friends and sources close to the couple describe their relationship as “grounded” and “low-key,” especially compared to Grande’s previous high-profile romances. Unlike her whirlwind engagement with Pete Davidson or her pandemic-era marriage to Dalton Gomez, the relationship with Slater has been characterized by a deliberate emphasis on privacy and normalcy.

While the early controversy has not entirely faded, public sentiment has shifted significantly. Many fans who were initially critical have come to appreciate the couple’s genuine connection, particularly after seeing their chemistry during the Wicked press tour. Whether their love story ends up being Grande’s lasting one remains to be seen — but for now, the pop star and the Broadway actor seem very much in sync.