Ariana Grande claps back at ‘evil’ homewrecker allegations amid romance with ‘Wicked’ co-star Ethan Slater

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Ariana Grande has finally addressed the "evil" homewrecker allegations. 

As the 31-year-old star started promotions for her upcoming project ‘Wicked’ - opening in theaters on November 22 - she opened up about the vicious allegations of being a homewrecker made by “disreputable tabloids".

In an interview with Vanity Fair, published on Monday, September 30, the former Nickelodeon star set on the path of reclaiming her narrative regarding her relationship with boyfriend Ethan Slater.

Ariana Grande sets the record straight on relationship with Ethan Slater

Speaking to the outlet, Ariana Grande slammed “disreputable tabloids” for claiming she started dating Ethan Slater when he was still with his now ex-wife, Lilly Jay.

Speaking about the murky waters she had to wade through in her relationship with Slater, 32, Grande shared, “It definitely doesn’t get any easier, seeing some of the negativity that was birthed by disreputable tabloids.”

Blaming the controversy partly for her absence from the public eye while filming ‘Wicked’ with co-star and boyfriend Slater, Grande continued, “I understand why it was a field day for the tabloids to sort of create something that paid their bills.”

While the ‘Zoolander 2’ actress said she “will never go into certain details” of her relationship with Slater, she disagreed with the popular narrative surrounding her relationship, per The Daily Beast. 

‘The Boy Is Mine’ songstress started dating the ‘Redheads Anonymous’ actor as her marriage with ex Dalton Gomez crumbled. 

When the couple started filming ‘Wicked’, Slater was still with his ex-wife Lilly Jay, with whom he shares a two-year-old son. Slater and Grande's relationship was confirmed in July 2023. 

At that time, Slater’s ex Lilly sensationally claimed to Page Six that the singer spent time with them while they were still together. Calling Grande “not a girl’s girl,” she claimed, “my family is just collateral damage... the story is her and Dalton.”

However, in the recent interview, Grande disputed the narrative without taking any name, and saying, “The most disappointing part was to see so many people believe the worst version of it.”

Referring to Slater being painted as a person who left his wife and a toddler child to be with her, Grande said, “There couldn’t be a less accurate depiction of a human being than the one that the tabloids spread about him.”

Continuing her praise for her beau, the ‘Into You’ singer said, “No one on this earth tries harder or spreads themselves thinner to be there for the people that he loves and cares about.”

“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,” said the songstress who plays Glinda alongside Slater’s Boq in ‘Wicked’.

Ariana Grande accuses tabloids of trying to ‘destroy’ her

Ariana Grande, who rose to fame in her childhood through her show ‘Victorious’ in Nickelodeon, further alleged tabloids have been “trying to destroy” her since she was a teenager. 

“I’m 31 years old and I’m not a perfect person, but I am definitely deeply good, and I’m proud of who I’m becoming.” Grande said, before adding, “I will never let disreputable evil tabloids ruin my life or my perception of what is real and good.”

When did Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater start dating?

Though the news of Ariana Grande’s relationship with Ethan Slater was confirmed in July 2023, fans were skeptical about the timeline of the relationship. 

Before the multi-faceted star addressed her relationship controversy, sources close to the couple shared insights with People, “While this entire situation has been blown out of proportion, it’s much different than what has been portrayed in public.”

The friend continued to give an insight into Grande and Slater's relationship, “They are just trying to navigate their new relationship in private.”

“People have tried to question the timeline,” an insider added, before noting, “The truth is, Ariana and Ethan didn’t begin seeing each other until after both parties were separated, respectfully.”

The source confirmed Grande had separated from luxury real estate agent Dalton Gomez in January 2023. Grande had tied the knot with Gomez in May 2021.