The on-again, off-again romance between Wicked co-stars Ethan Slater and Ariana Grande is back in the spotlight, fuelling a fresh wave of speculation about the true state of their relationship.
A Premiere Appearance and an Awkward Dodge
Just days after seemingly quashing breakup rumours by posing together at the New York City premiere of Wicked: For Good, Slater, 33, has kicked up a new dust-cloud of conjecture. The actor appeared on the Today show this week, where he was directly asked about the experience of 'working with your girlfriend everyday.'
In a moment that set gossip columns alight, Slater uncomfortably sidestepped the subject. Instead of addressing his relationship with Grande, 32, he spoke in vague terms, praising the 'entire cast' as 'incredible.' While he did call Grande 'brilliant,' he equally hailed her co-star Cynthia Erivo as 'remarkable,' describing the chance to see them both act 'from such a high level up close' as a 'pretty special' experience.
Behind the Scenes of a Private Romance
The couple's relationship has been a topic of intense scrutiny since it began as an on-set affair during the filming of the two-part Wicked adaptation. They were immediately plunged into scandal because Slater was married to his now ex-wife, Lilly Jay, with whom he shares a three-year-old son. Grande had also just split from her husband, Dalton Gomez, when news of their romance broke in July 2023.
Breakup speculation has trailed the pair for months, particularly as they were not seen together publicly from April until this month. A source recently insisted to The Sun that the couple are 'still together,' but confirmed they are deliberately keeping their relationship out of the public eye.
The insider revealed that while both attended the London premiere of Wicked: For Good in Leicester Square and the after-party at Brasserie Zedel, they 'made sure they weren't seen together.' However, they reportedly met up afterwards, with Slater being taken to Grande's hotel suite to spend time with her.
Career Pressures and Public Scrutiny
Navigating their relationship in the public eye has proven challenging. An insider said, 'Ariana and Ethan are still a couple but they've seen the chatter online and it's not been easy.' The intense focus has reportedly led the pair to be reluctant for their relationship to play out publicly.
Sources previously told the Daily Mail that Grande's colossal level of fame has been an obstacle, with Slater himself describing her fans as 'ferocious' and 'intense' in a recent interview. Critics have long speculated that the relationship is not built to last, with many suggesting any official split announcement will be delayed until after the Wicked hype dies down to avoid overshadowing the film's release and the run-up to the 2026 awards season.
Last month, it was also reported that the couple's plans for a wedding were put on hold, adding further fuel to the rumour mill about the stability of their partnership.
