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- Timeline: How the Ariana Grande–Ethan Slater romance unfolded
- Ethan Slater’s rise from off-Broadway to a Tony nomination
- Roots and schooling: Where Slater learned his craft
- Family life: marriage, divorce and co-parenting
- Public signals and the days after the breakup
- What’s next for Grande and Slater
Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater, once among the most talked-about pairs on Broadway and beyond, quietly drew a line under their relationship this year. Their split — confirmed in June 2026 after several months apart — surprised fans who had followed the couple from the stage of Wicked to red carpets and social media shout-outs.
Timeline: How the Ariana Grande–Ethan Slater romance unfolded
Their romance began after Grande’s 2023 separation from Dalton Gomez. The two met while working on the film adaptation of Wicked.
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- 2023: Reports emerged that Grande and Slater were dating shortly after Grande’s divorce news.
- 2023–2025: The pair maintained a public but measured presence at events and on social platforms.
- Late 2025: Observers noted distance between them during the Wicked: For Good press run.
- June 2026: Page Six confirmed the couple had split months earlier. Sources say they remain friends.
Ethan Slater’s rise from off-Broadway to a Tony nomination
Slater built a reputation as an inventive performer before linking arms with a global pop star.
- Breakthrough role: He originated the title part in the 2017–2018 SpongeBob SquarePants musical on Broadway.
- Awards: The part brought a Drama Desk win and a Tony nomination.
- He continued to work on stage in productions such as Camelot, Assassins and Goodnight, Oscar.
- He later joined the Wicked cast, where he played Boq opposite Grande’s Glinda.
Career highlights in brief
- Off-Broadway beginnings, including Baghdaddy.
- Broadway prominence with SpongeBob.
- Return to celebrated theatrical projects and the Wicked adaptation.
Roots and schooling: Where Slater learned his craft
Born in 1992, Slater grew up in Maryland surrounded by a blended family. His education followed a path toward the arts.
- Primary and secondary schooling at Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School and Georgetown Day School.
- College at Vassar in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.—he was a sophomore when he landed SpongeBob.
Family life: marriage, divorce and co-parenting
Before his relationship with Grande, Slater married his high school sweetheart, Lilly Jay. Their personal lives later became public as they navigated separation and new roles as parents.
- 2018: Slater and Jay wed after years together.
- January 2023: Slater announced that they had welcomed a son via a playful social post.
- By 2024: Jay published a personal essay on the difficulties that followed their split, and described parenting as a shared priority despite changes in their partnership.
Both parents, Jay wrote, claim fierce love for their child and say co-parenting is a central focus.
Public signals and the days after the breakup
The relationship’s end was subtle in public view. During late-2025 press duties for Wicked, the two often appeared at a distance from one another on camera.
- Media interviews and red-carpet appearances suggested a cooler dynamic by late 2025.
- Fans noted Slater’s continued, low-key support in social posts tied to Grande’s SNL hosting turn and holiday messages in December 2025.
- When the split was confirmed in mid-2026, posts and interactions on Instagram hinted at warmth, even after the romantic chapter closed.
Insiders told outlets the decision to end the relationship was mutual, and that both actors want to remain on good terms.
What’s next for Grande and Slater
After the breakup, sources say Grande is channeling energy into her Eternal Sunshine tour and the forthcoming album Petal. Slater continues to pursue stage and screen projects while co-parenting his son.
- Grande: touring internationally and preparing new music.
- Slater: returning to theatrical work and focusing on family life.
