They are still friends and very supportive of one another
Two artists who found each other in the creative crucible of a major film production have chosen to part ways after nearly three years, their bond forged and ultimately reshaped by the same world of performance that brought them together. Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater, both navigating personal reinvention alongside professional ascent, have closed this chapter with mutual care and continued friendship. Their story reflects a familiar human truth: that proximity, transformation, and ambition can both kindle and quietly complicate love.
- A relationship that began on one of Hollywood's most watched film sets has quietly come to an end after nearly three years together.
- The split arrives at a charged moment — Grande is mid-tour for the first time since 2019, with a new album dropping next month, while Slater continues building a career across stage and screen.
- Sources close to the pair emphasize that the decision was deliberate and unhurried, made with care rather than conflict.
- Both have emerged from the relationship having also finalized divorces from previous partners, marking a period of profound personal transition for each.
- They are said to remain friends and mutually supportive, suggesting the end of romance has not erased the foundation of respect between them.
Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater have ended their nearly three-year relationship, with sources describing the split as a considered and amicable decision. The two first met in 2023 on the UK set of the Wicked film adaptations — Grande playing Glinda, a role that earned her an Oscar nomination, and Slater portraying Boq Woodsman. They went public on Instagram in 2024 and appeared together at events for both Wicked films.
Those close to the pair say the separation came after significant reflection. "They gave lots of time and careful consideration and decided to go their separate ways," a source noted, adding that they remain friends and supportive of one another. Both had also finalized divorces from previous partners during the time they were together.
The announcement lands during a milestone stretch for Grande, who launched her Eternal Sunshine tour last weekend — her first live shows since 2019. Her next album, Petal, is due next month, with a new single already released. Slater, meanwhile, has built a career spanning Broadway — where he earned a Tony nomination for playing SpongeBob SquarePants — and film. Both continue forward separately, carrying the work and the memories of a chapter now closed.
Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater have ended their relationship after nearly three years together, according to a source close to the pair. The split comes as both performers continue to ride the momentum of their work on the Wicked film adaptations, where they first met in 2023 while shooting in the UK.
Grande, 32, played Glinda the good witch across both Wicked films, a role that earned her an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress. Slater, 34, portrayed Boq Woodsman, the character who transforms into the Tin Man. The two made their relationship public on Instagram in 2024 and subsequently appeared together at promotional events for both the original film and its sequel, Wicked: For Good.
According to those close to them, the decision to part ways came after considerable thought. "They gave lots of time and careful consideration and decided to go their separate ways," a source said. "They are still friends and very supportive of one another." Both Grande and Slater finalized divorces from previous partners during the time they were together.
The timing of the announcement coincides with a significant moment in Grande's career. She launched her Eternal Sunshine tour last weekend—her first live performances since 2019. The tour supports her Eternal Sunshine album, released three years ago, and arrives ahead of her forthcoming record Petal, which is set to drop next month. She has already released a new single from the project titled Hate That I Made You Love Me.
Slater's own career has been marked by notable achievements. Beyond his work in Wicked, where he received a cast ensemble nomination at the Actor Awards alongside his fellow performers, he earned a Tony Award nomination for his Broadway debut playing SpongeBob SquarePants. The actor and singer has maintained a presence in both theater and film throughout his career.
The separation marks the end of a high-profile relationship that began on one of Hollywood's most visible film productions. Both performers will continue their respective projects—Grande with her tour and upcoming album, Slater with his ongoing work in entertainment—as they move forward separately.
Notable Quotes
They gave lots of time and careful consideration and decided to go their separate ways. They are still friends and very supportive of one another.— Source close to the pair
The Hearth Conversation Another angle on the story
When two people meet on a film set like Wicked, there's often this intensity—the long hours, the shared creative space. Do you think that's what drew them together, or was it something else?
It's hard to say from the outside, but meeting during such a massive production probably accelerated things. You're in a bubble together, working on something that matters, and then suddenly you're doing press tours and red carpets as a couple. That's a lot of pressure.
They both had to finalize divorces while they were together. That's a complicated emotional landscape. Did that factor into why they split?
Possibly. Going through a divorce is isolating, even when you have someone. And if both people are processing that at the same time, it can either bind you or expose fractures you didn't know were there.
The statement says they're still friends and supportive. Do you believe that's genuine, or is it just what people say?
In this case, I think it might be genuine. They're both professionals who have to exist in the same industry, attend the same events. There's no scandal here, no public drama. That suggests they actually handled it with care.
Grande's tour just started. Slater's got his Tony nomination history. They're both ascending. Does that make it easier or harder to walk away?
Easier, maybe. They each have something to pour themselves into. They're not left in a void. But it also means they'll keep crossing paths professionally, which requires real maturity.