Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater never actually broke up. The couple weathered a rough patch behind closed doors toward the end of 2024 but chose to work through their challenges rather than part ways. Below, you’ll find what insiders say nearly tore them apart, why their relationship has faced unrelenting scrutiny, and where things stand now.
Rumors fuel breakup speculation
Public sightings of Grande and Slater grew scarce throughout much of late 2024, fueling widespread speculation that the couple had quietly ended their relationship. Media outlets and social media users dissected their separate appearances as signs of a split, despite the pair never confirming any such thing.
Changes in public appearances
Unlike their more visible outings earlier in the relationship, Grande and Slater were rarely spotted together in the latter half of 2024. The contrast from previous months — when they appeared at each other’s professional events — was stark and conspicuous enough to set off alarm bells online.
Why rumors spread online
The absence of public appearances fed a cycle of tabloid stories and fan theories that the romance had run its course. A Grande family source later confirmed to the Daily Mail that the couple never officially broke up — they were simply going through a difficult stretch away from the cameras.
The scrutiny that started before they even began
The relationship drew intense criticism almost from the moment it became public. Both Grande and Slater were already married when they fell in love, and the overlapping timelines of their respective separations became headline fodder for months.
How Grande and Slater met on set
Grande and Slater first crossed paths in late 2022 while filming the two-part movie adaptation of Wicked in the United Kingdom. Grande was cast as Glinda, Slater played Boq, and both were married to other people at the time. They became friends on set before their connection deepened.
Divorce filings and public reaction
Grande had separated from her husband, Dalton Gomez, in January 2023. Slater filed for divorce from his wife, Lilly Jay, on July 26, 2023 — the same month news of his relationship with Grande first surfaced. That tight timeline drew heavy public criticism, with both tabloids and fans questioning how the romance began.
The rough patch where they almost walked away
According to a source close to Grande’s family, the couple hit a genuinely precarious point toward the end of 2024 when the future of their romance was genuinely uncertain. Insiders say the sustained tabloid attention and the weight of how the relationship began took a serious toll behind closed doors.
What insiders say happened
“Ariana and Ethan hit a rough patch towards the end of last year,” the Grande family source told the Daily Mail. While the pair never formally split, the source acknowledged there was a real question about whether they would continue moving forward.
The sustained public scrutiny — including accusations that Grande sabotaged Slater’s auditions and broader skepticism about their story — compounded the ordinary pressures of a young relationship. For a stretch, it wasn’t clear they would survive it.
Their decision to stay together
Rather than walking away, the couple chose to invest in working through their issues. Slater was present for Grande’s Saturday Night Live duties, and the pair spent the holidays together with her family — both signals, according to the insider, that the relationship remained intact.
Where they stand now
As of early 2025, sources describe Grande and Slater as being in a stronger and more stable place. The couple appears to have emerged from the rough patch with a firmer footing, navigating a quieter chapter together away from the intensity of the previous year.
Reports of stability heading into 2025
Though they’ve maintained a relatively low public profile since the speculation died down, insiders say the time they spent privately working on the relationship paid off. Both have continued supporting each other’s careers, and those close to them say the pair now seem to be navigating their bond with more resilience than before.
Background
For anyone catching up on the timeline, Grande announced her separation from Dalton Gomez in January 2023. She and Slater met on the Wicked set that same year and became friends before beginning to date around July 2023.
Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez
Grande and Gomez had been together since 2018 and married in a private ceremony in 2021. Their separation was first reported by TMZ in July 2023 and confirmed by People shortly afterward. An insider told Entertainment Tonight that the pair had attempted to reconcile but ultimately decided the relationship no longer worked.
Ethan Slater and Lilly Jay
Slater married his high school sweetheart, Lilly Jay, and the couple welcomed their first child in early 2022. He filed for divorce on July 26, 2023, just as his relationship with Grande became public, completing a timeline that drew sustained media attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater still together?
Yes. As of early 2025, Grande and Slater are reportedly still together and in a stronger place after working through a difficult period in late 2024.
When did Ethan Slater file for divorce from Lilly Jay?
Slater filed for divorce from Lilly Jay on July 26, 2023, shortly after news of his relationship with Grande first broke.
Why did Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater face so much public scrutiny?
Both were married when they fell in love on the set of Wicked in late 2022, and the close timing of their respective separations fueled sustained tabloid criticism from the moment their relationship became public.
What caused the breakup rumors in late 2024?
Public sightings of Grande and Slater became notably rare throughout late 2024, leading to widespread speculation that they had split. Insiders later confirmed the couple was going through a rough patch but never actually broke up.
When did Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater start dating?
Grande and Slater began dating around July 2023, after both had separated from their previous partners. The news surfaced in the same month Slater filed for divorce.
