Ethan Slater has finally addressed his relationship with renowned Hollywood singer and actress Ariana Grande, revealing insights into their journey amid considerable public scrutiny, as reported by Newsweek.
Slater, an acclaimed actor whose performance in Broadway’s SpongeBob SquarePants earned him a Tony Award nomination, first met Grande on the set of the highly anticipated film adaptation of Wicked. In this magical tale, Slater portrays Boq, a Munchkin who develops romantic feelings for Grande’s character, Glinda. The emergence of their romance coincided with the dissolution of both of their marriages, leading to a flurry of speculation and backlash from fans.
Following news of Grande’s separation from her ex-husband, Dalton Gomez, and Slater’s divorce from Lilly Jay, which he initiated in July 2023, both former partners publicly expressed their discontent regarding this new relationship. Jay voiced her displeasure, scandalized that her family had become “collateral damage” amidst the unfolding drama. Slater and Jay began dating in 2012, married in November 2018, and welcomed their child in August 2022.
In a candid interview with GQ, published on October 30, Slater opened up about the complexities of launching a relationship that’s under the relentless eye of the public. Here’s an overview of the couple’s relationship timeline thus far.
Newsweek attempted to reach Slater’s representatives for comment on Thursday outside standard business hours; however, a spokesperson for Grande declined to provide any statements.
A Timeline of Their Relationship
- January 2023: Reports surfaced indicating that Grande and her husband had split quietly, although the news didn’t reach the public until much later in July.
- March 27, 2023: Grande and Slater were spotted together at Michelle Yeoh’s prestigious Oscars party, igniting initial speculations about their growing closeness.
- May 14, 2023: Slater shared a heartfelt Mother’s Day tribute on Instagram, honoring his wife and their child, with Grande sharing her support by liking the post, suggesting a friendly rapport at that stage.
- July 16, 2023: Grande made headlines when she attended the Wimbledon men’s final in London, notably without her wedding ring, prompting public intrigue.
- July 17, 2023: News outlets including TMZ and People broke the story of Grande’s separation from Gomez, citing that the split was amicable, with both parties focusing on maintaining a friendship.
- July 20, 2023: Public confirmation emerged revealing that Grande and Slater had begun dating, unleashing a media frenzy and heightened public interest in their romance.
- July 26, 2023: Slater officially filed for divorce from Jay, further intensifying public curiosity, particularly given the close timing to his new relationship.
- July 29, 2023: Despite the public attention, reports indicated the couple was allowing each other “space” to navigate their respective transitions, while still remaining committed.
- October 7, 2023: Grande and Gomez finalized their divorce amicably, with TMZ reporting a respectful settlement on their terms.
- October 21, 2023: The couple was photographed on a date at the luxurious Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York City, marking their first public appearance since the divorce was officially finalized.
- December 28, 2023: In a reflective Instagram story, Grande shared thoughts on her tumultuous year, subtly hinting at the challenges she faced, writing about feeling both pride and deep misunderstanding from the public.
- March 8, 2024: Grande released her highly anticipated album, Eternal Sunshine, which explored her personal journey through the struggles of divorce and the emergence of her romance with Slater, with lyrics that pointed to her evolving relationship with him.
- June 8, 2024: The couple made a rare appearance together at the Stanley Cup playoff game, cheerfully supporting the Florida Panthers, showcasing their growing public presence as a couple.
- September 30, 2024: Grande addressed the surrounding drama of her relationship in an interview with Vanity Fair, navigating the delicate balance of public perception without explicitly naming Slater.
- October 30, 2024: Slater publicly articulated his feelings regarding his relationship with Grande in an enlightening interview with GQ, shedding light on their experiences.
Grande Addresses Controversy
Despite their closeness, Slater and Grande have faced considerable backlash online. In September, Grande contended with criticism from fans after discussing their relationship in an interview with Vanity Fair.
She expressed frustration over the negativity surrounding her life changes during filming, noting, “It definitely doesn’t get any easier, seeing some of the negativity that was birthed by disreputable tabloids. Of course, I went through a lot of life changes during the filming of this movie. A lot of people that were working on it did.”
While she withheld many details, Grande expressed disappointment that many believed the worst narratives presented to them, stating: “The most disappointing part was to see so many people believe the worst version of it.”
The pop star passionately defended Slater as well, remarking, “There couldn’t be a less accurate depiction of a human being than the one that the tabloids spread about him. No one on this earth tries harder or spreads themselves thinner to be there for the people that he loves and cares about.”
Slater Speaks Out
In his interview with GQ, Slater acknowledged the myriad challenges they have faced in light of their relationship becoming a public topic of discussion.
He reflected on the disheartening experience of having their private lives subjected to public scrutiny, stating, “Obviously, 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.”
Slater also shared how challenging it was for them to witness speculation from those who were unaware of their reality: “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.”
He concluded by expressing pride in their journey, particularly regarding their work on Wicked: “But, of course, it was an amazing year and a really beautiful thing, and I’m just really excited. I’m just really, really proud of Ari and the work she’s done on this. She’s poured herself into it.”
The post Ethan Slater Breaks Silence on Dating Ariana Grande. What Actually Happened? appeared first on Newsweek.
**Interview with Ethan Slater: Navigating Love, Public Scrutiny, and New Beginnings**
*Interviewer:* Thank you for joining us, Ethan. Your relationship with Ariana Grande has certainly captured the public’s attention amidst quite a bit of scrutiny. Can you share how you both have been coping with this intense spotlight?
*Ethan Slater:* Thanks for having me. It’s been a learning process for both of us. We’ve always approached our relationship with honesty but it’s challenging when public perception is often skewed. We try to focus on what really matters to us and keep communication open during this tumultuous time.
*Interviewer:* You two met on the set of *Wicked*. How did that environment impact your connection?
*Ethan Slater:* It was magical, in more ways than one. We’re both deeply passionate about our work and found common ground there. The filming of *Wicked* was not only a professional venture but a personal journey for us both, with all the complexities that brought along, especially as we were undergoing changes in our personal lives too.
*Interviewer:* Public speculation heightened after your divorces were revealed. How did that affect your relationship?
*Ethan Slater:* It definitely added layers we didn’t anticipate. I think navigating our respective separations in the public eye has been tough. At times, it feels overwhelming, especially when the narratives are often simplistic or sensationalized. We’ve made it a priority to support each other as we figure things out.
*Interviewer:* Ariana spoke about feeling the weight of negativity from tabloids. Can you relate to that sentiment?
*Ethan Slater:* Absolutely. It can be disheartening to see the focus on the negative. Both of us have received our share of backlash, and I echo her frustration. We’re both human, trying to find joy amid the noise. I wish that narrative would shift back to the love and growth instead of the drama.
*Interviewer:* Looking forward, what do you envision for your relationship with Ariana?
*Ethan Slater:* We’re committed to taking things day by day. It’s all about building a partnership grounded in mutual respect and understanding. We hope to continue to grow together, supporting each other’s journeys both personally and professionally.
*Interviewer:* Thank you for your insights, Ethan. It’s evident that both you and Ariana are navigating a challenging path with care and intention.
*Ethan Slater:* Thank you for having me! It’s always nice to share a little context into our lives. I appreciate the support.
