Speculation about a split between pop icon and actress Ariana Grande and her co-star boyfriend Ethan Slater has been firmly dismissed by close friends, who insist the couple are in a "solid place." The rumours ignited after the pair were not seen together publicly for several months, culminating in Grande attending the Golden Globes ceremony on Sunday, 12 January 2026, with a friend instead of Slater.
Promotional Priorities Over Public Appearances
Sources close to the Wicked: For Good stars explain that their recent time apart was largely due to professional commitments. Following the film's theatrical release in November 2025, Grande, alongside leading co-star Cynthia Erivo, embarked on an intensive, weeks-long global promotional tour. Ethan Slater, who plays Boq in the musical fantasy, attended only the New York and London premieres.
An insider told the Daily Mail: "Ariana put Ethan on the back burner while she was promoting the movie. But they're in a solid place now." The source emphasised that Slater, understanding the business, was fully supportive of the strategy to focus the promotional spotlight on Grande and Erivo's lead roles, rather than letting his relationship with Grande become a distracting narrative.
A Private, 'Old Married Couple' Dynamic
Contrary to the glamorous image associated with Hollywood couples, friends describe Grande and Slater's private life as remarkably low-key and domestic. "They're like an old married couple at home," the insider revealed. "They'd rather hang out together and do simple things like play board games or binge-watch shows rather than go out to fancy places."
This preference for privacy has perhaps fuelled split rumours, as the couple consciously avoids courting public attention. Fans noted the lack of duo photographs during the Wicked: For Good press tour, though the pair were seen sharing an affectionate moment at the New York premiere in November.
Navigating Past Controversy and Moving Forward
The relationship, which began in July 2023, initially faced intense scrutiny. It emerged shortly after Grande's separation from her husband, Dalton Gomez, and while Slater was still married to his high school sweetheart, Lilly Jay. Grande was subsequently labelled a 'homewrecker' by some sections of the media.
Lilly Jay, a psychologist, added to the controversy by publishing a personal essay in New York Magazine's The Cut, stating she felt "blindsided" and struggled to "accept the sudden public downfall of my marriage."
Despite this rocky start and the recent rumours of being "on and off for most of this year," as a source claimed in October 2025, those in the know now assert the couple's bond is stronger than ever. They have successfully navigated the pressures of a blockbuster film release and chosen to build a life together away from the glaring spotlight, proving their commitment is far more than just a Hollywood fling.
