Lip reader reveals Ethan Slater's protective comment to GF Ariana Grande at 2025 SAG Awards

Lip reader reveals Ethan Slater's protective comment to GF Ariana Grande at 2025 SAG Awards
Ethan Slater seemingly appeared protective of Ariana Grande at the 2025 SAG Awards on Sunday, February 23 (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images, Screengrab/@deuxmoi/Instagram)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Ethan Slater appeared to be in protective boyfriend mode during the 2025 Screen Actors Guild Awards when it came to people getting too close to his girlfriend Ariana Grande, according to Daily Mail.

Lip reader Nicola Hickling analyzed their interaction and said that the actor was concerned for Grande after the crowd began to "push" them while they were in the audience during the awards ceremony on Sunday, February 23.


 
 
 
 
 
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Lip reader Nicola Hickling reveals Ethan Slater's protective comment to Ariana Grande

Ethan Slater and Ariana Grande were seen walking through the crowd in a short clip that was shared by Instagram account @deuxmoi.

In the video, Slater could be seen whispering something to Grande as he took her hand and led her through the crowd. Nicola Hickling claimed that Slater told the '7 Rings' songstress, "Stay near, this crowd next to me, they are pushing me."

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 23: (L-R) Ethan Slater and Ariana Grande attend the 31st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall on February 23, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
Ethan Slater and Ariana Grande attend the 31st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall on February 23, 2025, in Los Angeles (Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)

Grande, who was up for the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role award for her role as Glinda in 'Wicked', picked an ethereal pink Loewe gown for the event. Her off-the-shoulder dress had a pleated cowl, a mesh train, and a smattering of pink floral accents, per the outlet. Meanwhile, Slater donned a simple black tuxedo.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 23: Ethan Slater attends the 2025 Screen Actors Guild Awards at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall on February 23, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic)
Ethan Slater attends the 2025 Screen Actors Guild Awards at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall on February 23, 2025, in Los Angeles, California (Taylor Hill/FilmMagic)

Slater and Grande reportedly met during the filming of the movie adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical 'Wicked'. Their romance came to light in July 2023, days after it was reported that Grande had split from her then-husband, Dalton Gomez, according to Daily Mail.

Ariana Grande attends the 31st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall on February 23, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)
Ariana Grande attends the 31st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall on February 23, 2025, in Los Angeles, California (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)

Ethan Slater feels proud of Ariana Grande after Oscar nod for 'Wicked'

Ethan Slater expressed his admiration for Ariana Grande after the actress got her first Oscar nomination for her role in 'Wicked'.

In January, 'Wicked' earned several 2025 Academy Award nominations. Cynthia Erivo received a Best Actress nod for playing Elphaba whereas Grande was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Glinda.

While speaking to Us Weekly, Slater said, "I’m unbelievably proud of her. She worked so hard. She and Cynthia worked so unbelievably hard to not only make this movie and be the best versions of Glinda and Elphaba, but to promote it. They’re incredible. I’m unendingly proud."

Ethan Slater and Ariana Grande attend The National Board of Review Annual Awards Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on January 07, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for National Board of Review)
Ethan Slater and Ariana Grande attend The National Board of Review Annual Awards Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on January 7, 2025, in New York City (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for National Board of Review)

The actor also described the experience as a celebration of their work on the film. He expressed, "I don’t know if there’s preparation. It’s just riding the wave. We’re all having fun. … We’re all just rooting for each other because we get to still celebrate this thing that we loved to make."

"Whether we win or lose, it’s just a big celebration to be able to do the thing that we love so much. It’s really special," Slater further noted. 

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