Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater have ended their nearly three-year relationship after quietly breaking up several months ago, according to sources close to the former couple. The split came as news on June 8, when TMZ first reported the breakup, followed by confirmations from Page Six and other outlets.
“Ariana and Ethan broke up several months ago but they’ve remained friends since then and have nothing but respect and admiration for one another,” a source told Page Six. “This wasn’t a decision they took lightly but realized they were better off friends than in a committed relationship.”
Sources told multiple outlets that the breakup is amicable and the two still remain friends and are very supportive of one another. “They are still friends and very supportive of one another. They have been quietly broken up for several months,” a source confirmed to People magazine.
Grande, 32, is feeling upbeat about the next chapter of her life. “Ariana is feeling really happy and focused on the next chapter with her ‘Eternal Sunshine’ tour and the upcoming release of her album ‘Petal’,” according to Page Six. The pop star kicked off her highly anticipated “Eternal Sunshine” tour on Saturday at the Oakland Arena in California, and her new album is set for release on July 31.
Grande and Slater, 34, met on the set of “Wicked” while filming the musical adaptation in late 2022. At the time, both were married to other people—Grande to real estate developer Dalton Gomez, and Slater to his high school sweetheart, Lilly Jay. Grande separated from Gomez in January 2023, and their relationship with Slater was confirmed by sources in July 2023. Slater filed for divorce from Jay on July 26, 2023. The couple had been largely private about their romance over the past three years, though they made occasional public appearances together at major events including the Oscars and premiere screenings for “Wicked.”
Sources also clarified that Grande’s forthcoming album “Petal” is not inspired by the breakup or her relationship with Slater. The couple’s separation marks the end of one of entertainment’s more scrutinized relationships, which faced significant tabloid speculation and online criticism from the moment their connection became public. In interviews, both Grande and Slater have addressed the narrative surrounding their relationship. In September 2024, Grande told Vanity Fair that she was disappointed by how tabloids had portrayed their story. “The most disappointing part was to see so many people believe the worst version of it,” she said, while praising Slater’s character: “No one on this earth tries harder or spreads themselves thinner to be there for the people that he loves and cares about.”
Sources
- Page Six — confirmed the split and provided details on the amicable nature of the breakup and Grande’s focus on her tour and new album
- TMZ — first reported the breakup and that it occurred several months prior
- People Magazine — confirmed sources stating they remain friends and supportive of one another
- ELLE — provided relationship timeline and background on how Grande and Slater met on the Wicked set
