Singer and actor Ariana Grande and Broadway performer Ethan Slater have reportedly ended their relationship nearly three years after they first became romantically linked following their meeting on the set of ‘Wicked’.
According to reports from several international media outlets, including People, TMZ and USA Today, the couple have decided to part ways after a relationship that first became public in July 2023.
A source quoted by Page Six said the pair ended their relationship several months ago but have remained on good terms.
“Ariana and Ethan broke up several months ago but they’ve remained friends since then and have nothing but respect and admiration for one another. This wasn’t a decision they took lightly but realized they were better off friends than in a committed relationship,” the source said.
The source added that Grande is currently focused on her career and upcoming projects.
“At the moment, Ariana is feeling really happy and focused on the next chapter with her Eternal Sunshine tour and the upcoming release of her album Petal.”
According to People magazine, Grande is “doing great” and concentrating on preparations for her latest tour.
“She seemed very happy. It’s all been very positive vibes. Being able to reconnect with fans after so many years made her very excited. She’s been wanting to give her fans an amazing show and has put so much work into the show. Kicking off her tour was very emotional for her,” another source told the publication.
The reported split comes shortly after the launch of Grande’s Eternal Sunshine Tour, which began on June 6, six years after her Sweetener World Tour. Her new album, ‘Petal’, is scheduled for release on July 31.
Grande, 32, and Slater, 34, met while working on Wicked. Reports of their relationship emerged in July 2023. At the time, Grande was married to her former husband, Dalton Gomez, while Slater was married to his estranged wife, Lilly Jay. Slater and Jay share a three-year-old son, Ezra.
In a 2024 interview with Vanity Fair, Grande publicly defended Slater against media scrutiny surrounding their relationship.
“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. There is no one on this earth with a better heart, and that is something that no bulls–t tabloid can rewrite in real life,” she said.
Despite largely keeping their relationship private, Slater shared photographs of Grande celebrating the holiday season at home in December.
The reported separation marks the end of a relationship that drew significant public attention following its emergence during the production of ‘Wicked’.
Sources cited in recent reports indicate that both Grande and Slater remain amicable as they move forward with their respective careers.
