Who Is Ariana Grande’s Boyfriend Ethan Slater? His Role In 'Wicked', Ex- Wife & More

12 January 2024, 15:59 | Updated: 8 March 2024, 16:44

Ethan Slater stars in Monty Python's Spamalot on Broadway – which Ariana recently went to watch him in
Ethan Slater stars in Monty Python's Spamalot on Broadway – which Ariana recently went to watch him in. Picture: Getty

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By Capital FM

Ariana Grande is dating her Wicked co-star Ethan Slater after her split from husband Dalton Gomez - but who is the actor? Here's the lowdown on Ethan Slater, from his previous roles, his estranged wife and more.

Just days after Ariana Grande made headlines amid reports she’s ‘divorcing’ her husband of two years Dalton Gomez, it was reported she’s dating Wicked co-star Ethan Slater, who is officially her boyfriend if recent pictures are anything to go by.

TMZ reported this summer that Ari and her real estate agent husband have been separated since January amid struggles to make their relationship work in a ‘post-Covid world’ due to their lives being 'vastly different’.

Ariana is now dating Ethan Slater, who she’s been filming her upcoming movie with since last December. While they haven't yet addressed their new relationship, they have been pictured together a few times and were spotted at Disneyland together in September.

It's thought some of Ariana's lyrics in 'yes, and?' are inspired by her new relationship with Ethan as she brushes off criticism about her dating life in the relatable new song, which is off her upcoming album believed to be titled 'eternal sunshine'.

Ariana, 30, will play Glinda in the movie they're both starring in, while Ethan, 31, will play Boq. So, who is Ethan Slater, when did he split from his wife and is he dating Ariana? Here’s what we know…

Ariana Grande and boyfriend Dalton Gomez kiss after karaoke duet

Who is Ariana Grande's boyfriend Ethan Slater?

Ariana's boyfriend Ethan is a 31-year-old actor and singer who hails from Washington D.C. in the US.

Starring as Boq in the upcoming Wicked movie, Ethan has also acted in numerous other films including The Man Behind the Camera, EVOL: Theory of Love and TV shows such as Law & Order.

He also starred in the SpongeBob SquarePants Broadway musical for which he earned a Tony Award nomination.

Ethan married his high school sweetheart and girlfriend of six years, Lilly Jay in 2018, and they welcomed their first child together, a son, in 2022.

However, they are now said to have separated, with Ethan reportedly filing for the dissolution of their marriage in July 2023. It's not known when the couple initially split.

Ethan Slater and Lilly Jay separated earlier this year
Ethan Slater and Lilly Jay separated earlier this year. Picture: Alamy

Does Ethan Slater have kids?

Ethan and ex-wife Lily share a son who was born in 2022. In light of his split, he reportedly wants to co-parent their son.

Lilly told Page Six in an interview published on 27th July that Ethan and Ariana are “full-on” dating. “[Ariana’s] the story really. Not a girl’s girl," she added. "My family is just collateral damage. The story is her and Dalton."

She added that she's focused on 'being a good mum' and raising her son.

Ariana Grande is dating Wicked co-star Ethan Slater
Ariana Grande is dating Wicked co-star Ethan Slater. Picture: Getty

When did Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater start dating?

Ariana started dating Ethan amid her split from her estranged husband, Dalton, earlier in 2023 and following Ethan’s separation from his wife, Lilly. It's reported Ariana and Ethan are now living together in New York.

A source told PEOPLE: “[Ariana] and Ethan recently began dating, and he is separated from his wife,” while an insider at TMZ said they ‘recently started dating during the production of the flick’.

Both stars are yet to address the dating rumours, but they've been pictured out in public together looking every inch an actual couple. They were spotted at Disneyland with Ariana's family in September and in October they looked very cosy on a dinner date together.

On Halloween, Ariana watched Ethan's new show, Spamalot, on Broadway with one of her friends. She was pictured leaving the theatre wearing a paper crown as she made her way to her awaiting car.

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