Ariana Grande gets support from family after Ethan Slater's ex-wife Lilly Jay speaks up about divorce
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Ariana Grande's brother, Frankie Grande, has publicly shown his support for the singer following criticism of her relationship with 'Wicked' co-star Ethan Slater.
This comes after Slater’s ex-wife, Lilly Jay, described their union as “disrespectful.”
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Frankie Grande stands with sister Ariana Grande
Frankie Grande took to social media to share a heartfelt message for his singer sister Ariana Grande.
Responding to Ariana’s Instagram post featuring him on set, where she wrote, “So proud,” Frankie reposted the story, adding, “And I of you… every single day.”
His words of encouragement come amid a storm of controversy surrounding Ariana’s relationship with Ethan Slater, 32, whom she met while filming the 'Wicked' movie adaptation in 2022.
Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater's controversial relationship timeline
Ariana Grande, 31, and Ethan Slater's relationship reportedly began while both were still married, according to Mirror.
The 'God is a Woman' singer was married to Dalton Gomez, and listed their separation date as February 20, 2023, before filing for divorce in September 2023.
Slater was married to Lilly, his childhood sweetheart, with whom he shares a two-year-old son.
In July 2023, Slater filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences, and it was finalized in September 2023.
Adding to the controversy, reports emerged that Ariana had spent time with Lilly and her baby during the 'Wicked' production in London.
Sources told the Daily Mail that Ariana even held Slater and Lilly's son during dinners and expressed her own desire to start a family someday.
This revelation has fueled criticism of the relationship’s timeline, with fans questioning its propriety.
Despite the backlash, Ariana and Slater insist that their relationship began after their respective separations.
Lilly Jay’s heartbreaking response
Lilly Jay, a clinical psychologist and mother to Ethan Slater’s son, has publicly shared her pain over the relationship.
In a candid essay for The Cut on Wednesday, December 18, she detailed the emotional toll of their split, particularly in the shadow of Slater’s new celebrity romance.
However, she refrained from naming the pop star directly.
“In this season of shock and mourning, over a year after the end of my marriage was made public, I deeply miss the life of invisibility I created for myself as a psychologist specializing in women’s mental health,” she wrote.
Lilly also reflected on the challenges of co-parenting while dealing with the publicity surrounding 'Wicked'.
“Days with my son are sunny. Days when I can’t escape the promotion of a movie associated with the saddest days of my life are darker,” she shared.
