Ethan Slater Says It Was 'Really Hard' to See People 'Speculating' About His Relationship with Ariana Grande

Mar. 15, 2025

Ethan Slater (left); Ariana Grande.Photo:Eugene Gologursky/Getty; Trae Patton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty

Eugene Gologursky/Getty; Trae Patton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty

Ethan Slateris opening up about the effect that rumors about his relationship with girlfriendAriana Grandehave had on him.

In a new interview withGQpublished Wednesday, Oct. 30, the 32-year-old actor and singer reflected on his “beautiful” connection with Grande, 31, on the set ofWicked.

According tothe Broadway vet, “There were a lot of big changes in private lives that were really happening, so it’s really hard to see people who don’t know anything about what’s happening commenting on it and speculating, and then getting things wrong about the people you love.”

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Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater.Michelle Yeoh/Instagram

Michelle Yeoh/Instagram

“But, of course, it was an amazing year and a really beautiful thing," he added of his relationship with Grande, “and I’m just really excited.”

As forWicked, the first part of which hits theaters next month, “I’m just really, really proud of Ari and the work she’s done on this,” he raved of his girlfriend, who plays Glinda opposite Slater’s Boq.

“She’s poured herself into it,” Slater continued. “I’m really proud that I got to be there for that part of it, and I’m really excited to be there for this next step of it when the world gets to see the amazing thing that she did.”

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Grande and Slater’s romance wasconfirmed in July 2023, after they met on the set ofWicked.This came afterGrande separatedfrom her now-ex-husband,Dalton Gomez, andSlater separatedfrom his now-ex-wife,Lilly Jay, with whom he shares one son, 2.

“Therecouldn’t be a less accurate depictionof a human being than the one that the tabloids spread about him,” the actress and singer added. “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— tabloid can rewrite in real life,” Grande said.

Wickedis in theaters on Nov. 22, withWicked Part Twoscheduled for Nov. 21, 2025.

source: people.com