What’s Going on Between Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater? Inside Their Reportedly ‘Toxic’ Relationship
Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater’s whirlwind romance may be hitting a sour note. The Wicked costars, whose relationship first made headlines for all the wrong reasons, are once again the talk of the town — but this time, fans think it could be over for good.
The pop star and Broadway actor began dating in 2023 after meeting on the set of Wicked. At the time, both were still married — Ariana to Dalton Gomez, and Ethan to his high school sweetheart, Lilly Jay. By July 2023, both had separated from their respective spouses, and news of their romance spread like wildfire.
Since then, their relationship has been under constant scrutiny — and lately, all signs point to trouble in paradise.
Are Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater Still Together?
At this point, it’s hard to say. Fans have been decoding every clue to figure out the status of their relationship. When Ariana attended the MTV Video Music Awards in September 2025 with her entire family — and no Ethan — the internet took notice. Some speculated that his absence meant the relationship had cooled off.
Still, Ethan did show support for Ariana online, giving her a shoutout on Instagram Stories after her big VMAs win. But the peace didn’t seem to last long.
By October, reports surfaced suggesting the couple had hit a rough patch. According to a source who spoke with The Daily Mail, Ethan is struggling to balance his old life with his new, high-profile one.
“He sometimes wonders if he should have stayed in his quieter world; the contrast is brutal,” the source claimed. “He loves her, but he’s drowning in the circus of her life. Even when he’s home, he’s mentally halfway through the tour or rehearsals. It’s exhausting just watching him try to keep up.”
The insider also alleged that the couple’s rumored engagement was “off” and that their relationship has become “toxic.”
“They’ve both been running hot and cold with each other,” the source said, adding, “What they have going is more than a little toxic, but they’re keeping it together for now.”
Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for National Board of Review
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 07: (L-R) Ethan Slater and Ariana Grande attend The National Board of Review Annual Awards Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on January 07, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for National Board of Review)
What Have Ariana and Ethan Said?
Nothing — at least publicly. Neither Ariana nor Ethan has commented on the rumors, leaving fans to speculate.
The last time the two were spotted together was back in April at a performance of Little Shop of Horrors. Since then, it’s been radio silence — and in the world of celebrity romance, that silence often speaks volumes.
