Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater have allegedly ended their relationship after nearly three years together.
The Wicked co-stars are said to have quietly parted ways several months ago, with sources claiming the split was amicable.
According to insiders, both stars took considerable time to assess their relationship before concluding they were better suited as friends.
“They gave lots of time and careful consideration and decided to go their separate ways,” a source told Entertainment Weekly.
Romance rumours first surfaced after the pair met on the UK set of the film adaptation of Wicked
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“They are still friends and very supportive of one another.”
Ms Grande, 32, and Mr Slater first met while filming the two-part cinematic adaptation of the hit musical Wicked, in which she portrayed Glinda the Good and he played Munchkin Boq.
Before his film debut, Mr Slater was best known for originating the title role in the Broadway production of SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical
Their romance became public in July 2023, shortly after both had separated from their respective spouses – Ms Grande from luxury estate agent Dalton Gomez and Ms Slater from Lily Jay.
Ms Grande previously defended Mr Slater against criticism surrounding their high-profile romance
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The relationship attracted significant public attention at the time, particularly as Mr Slater had welcomed his first child with Ms Jay only months before the end of their marriage.
Sources close to the pair consistently maintained that their romance began only after both marriages had ended.
News of the reported split emerged as Ms Grande launched her Eternal Sunshine tour, which began on June 6 in Oakland, California.
The tour marks the singer’s first major concert series since her Sweetener World Tour concluded in 2019.
Ethan Slater and Dr. Lilly Jay were high school sweethearts who married in 2018 and finalized their divorce in September 2024
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Fans had already begun speculating about the status of the relationship after noticing Mr Slater’s absence from the opening dates of the tour.
Sources close to Ms Grande have strongly denied speculation that the breakup inspired material on the new album.
“Ariana’s new album was not at all inspired by the breakup, nor is the music about her relationship with Ethan,” a source told TMZ.
Despite widespread interest in the reported separation, neither Ms Grande nor Mr Slater has publicly commented on the claims.
Ms Grande previously defended Mr Slater against criticism surrounding their relationship, telling Vanity Fair in 2024: “There is no one on this earth with a better heart, and that is something that no bulls tabloid can rewrite in real life.”
Both supporters and critics of the former couple were quick to react on social media following reports of the split.
Some users revisited the controversy that surrounded the beginning of their relationship, with one writing: “GOODBYE SPONGEBOB BACK TO YOUR KIDS YOU GO.”
Another commented: “Wonder who’ll be her next victim?”
The cast of Wicked
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A third wrote: “Hate to say it but, Lilly Jay won. Ethan blew up his entire marriage, dragged his family through public humiliation, and for what? A relationship that couldn’t even last 3 years. Some people really do learn the hard way that what starts in chaos, ends in chaos.”
Others focused on the timing of the reported breakup, with one fan remarking: “They broke up before Wicked 2 even came out… they just couldn’t announce, but it was so obvious.”
However, many rushed to defend the singer, with one supporter writing: “Ariana has been through so much and truly deserves a love that lasts. It’s heartbreaking to see her go through another public split.”
Another added: “I hope she’s okay; it’s nobody’s place to put their input on them.”
A third pleaded: “BUT THE TOUR JUST STARTED, CAN WE JUST LET OUR GIRL BE HAPPY?”
GB News has reached out to Ms Grande and Mr Slater’s teams for comment.