Ariana Grande goes Instagram official with Ethan Slater after homewrecker allegations
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: Ariana Grande has seemingly made her romance with beau Ethan Slater public as she posted the first photo of herself with the actor on Instagram on Monday, November 4.
The couple attended the ‘Wicked’ premiere in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday, as reported by Daily Mail. Interestingly, Grande and Slater reportedly started dating in 2023 while filming the movie.
In 'Wicked', Grande stars as Glinda the Good Witch while Slater plays Boq. The movie has been directed by Jon M Chu and opens in US theaters on November 22.
The 31-year-old singer-actress posted a carousel of photos from the event. But one photo stood out as it showed both her and Slater walking down the stairs.
The image was, however, taken from behind.
Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater post same photos on their social media
Ariana Grande captioned the photos, "Sydney, you have stolen our hearts … 🫧 @wickedmovie @cynthiaerivo.”
View this post on Instagram
Ethan Slater, 32, also posted the same photo with the ‘Thank u, next’ hitmaker on his Instagram, along with other images from the event.
He wrote in the caption, “Oz in oz What an unbelievably magical night.”
View this post on Instagram
Ariana Grande accused of breaking Ethan Slater’s marriage with Lilly Jay
This came after rumors began swirling in July 2023 that Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater were dating.
Their romance reportedly began while ‘The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage!’ actor was in the process of getting a divorce from his then-estranged wife, Lilly Jay, with whom he shares a young son.
At the time, Jay had even blasted Grande. She told Page Six, “[Ariana’s] the story, really. Not a girl’s girl. My family is just collateral damage.”
A source accused Grande of breaking Slater and Jay’s marriage.
“It’s horrible. They were high school sweethearts. They have a baby! She’s a wreck,” they said, explaining how Jay was blindsided by Slater's romance with Grande.
Another insider, however, said, “She’s 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.”
Grande had separated from her ex-husband Dalton Gomez in July 2023 after nearly two years of marriage while Slater and Jay’s divorce was eventually finalized in September of this year, as reported by PEOPLE.
In a recent interview, Grande slammed “disreputable tabloids” for spreading rumors that she began dating Slater before he separated from Jay.
"The most disappointing part was to see so many people believe the worst version of it," she said while addressing the homewrecker allegations.
Ethan Slater talks about 'Wicked' co-star Ariana Grande
Ethan Slater recently reflected on the past one year and his equation with Ariana Grande.
He told GQ, "It was a really super big year and I think there was something that was really difficult about things in your private life being commented on and looked at by the public," referring to his divorce with Jay.
Elaborating further, he noted that "big changes" were happening in his life, "so it’s really hard to see people who don’t know anything about what’s happening commenting on it and speculating".
The 'Redheads Anonymous' actor, however, also mentioned that "it was an amazing year" as well.
"I’m just really, really proud of Ari and the work she’s done on this. She’s poured herself into it. I’m really proud that I got to be there for that part of it," Slater added, hailing Grande.