Ariana Grande’s New Boyfriend: Who Is Ethan Slater?

When news broke that Ariana Grande was dating her Wicked co-star Ethan Slater, the public and press immediately questioned the timeline. The relationship became public in July 2023, coinciding with Slater’s separation from his wife Lilly Jay.

Current Boyfriend: Ethan Slater ·
How They Met: On the set of Wicked (2023) ·
Relationship Public Since: July 2023 ·
Ethan Slater’s Child: One son (born 2022)

Six facts in the public record, one pattern: the timeline of this relationship is tightly intertwined with two separations.

Who is Ariana Grande’s new boyfriend?

Ethan Slater, a Broadway actor and singer, is the answer. He originated the role of SpongeBob SquarePants on stage and now stars alongside Grande in the film adaptation of Wicked. Sources confirmed to Business Insider that the two began dating in July 2023. Slater was previously married to clinical psychologist Lilly Jay, with whom he shares a son born in 2022.

How did Ariana Grande meet Ethan Slater?

• They met on the set of Wicked in 2023, where Grande plays Glinda and Slater plays Boq (Cosmopolitan)
• Both were in other relationships at the time: Grande with Dalton Gomez, Slater with Lilly Jay
• Romantic involvement reportedly developed after both relationships ended

The implications: the on-set meeting created a natural environment for a close bond, but the overlapping separations have fueled speculation about the relationship’s timing.

Did Ethan Slater leave his wife for Ariana Grande?

Ethan Slater and Lilly Jay announced their separation in July 2023, the same month news broke that he was dating Grande. Business Insider reported that People magazine confirmed the couple had “gone their separate ways” without specifying an exact split date. Slater and Grande were first linked by TMZ (celebrity news site) on July 20, 2023. The close timing has led many to question whether the relationship caused the marriage’s end.

What did Ethan Slater’s ex-wife say about the divorce?

• Lilly Jay has spoken publicly about the divorce, though she has not given a detailed on-the-record interview (Cosmopolitan)
• In early 2024, sources told Us Weekly (celebrity magazine) that the divorce was still in mediation and not yet finalized
• Grande herself addressed the controversy in a Vanity Fair interview, saying, “The most disappointing part was to see so many people believe the worst version of it” (Harper’s Bazaar citing Vanity Fair)

The pattern: conflicting accounts about when feelings developed leave the question unanswered, but the legal process suggests the marriage was already troubled before the public revelation.

When did Ethan Slater have a baby?

Ethan Slater and his ex-wife Lilly Jay welcomed a son in 2022. The child’s birth year is confirmed by multiple outlets, including Cosmopolitan.

Does Ethan Slater have children?

• Yes, one son born in 2022 (Cosmopolitan)
• The child lives primarily with Slater’s ex-wife; Slater is reportedly an involved father
• The boy was born before the separation and before Slater met Grande

The implication: the presence of a young child adds a layer of complexity to the divorce proceedings and public scrutiny of the new relationship.

What is Ethan Slater famous for?

Ethan Slater is best known for originating the role of SpongeBob SquarePants in the Broadway musical SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical, for which he won a Drama Desk Award. He also appeared in the HBO series Fosse/Verdon and landed the role of Boq in the film Wicked alongside Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo (Harper’s Bazaar).

What roles has Ethan Slater played?

• SpongeBob SquarePants on Broadway (2016–2017) – Drama Desk Award winner
• Joel in Fosse/Verdon (2019)
• Boq in Wicked (upcoming 2024/2025)
• Various off-Broadway credits including Assassins and The Last Five Years

The trade-off: while Slater had a solid theatre career, his profile has skyrocketed due to the relationship, which brings both opportunity and unwanted scrutiny.

What condition does Ariana Grande suffer from?

Ariana Grande has been open about her diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). She revealed the condition in her 2021 documentary Excuse Me, I Love You, explaining that it stems from the Manchester Arena bombing at her concert in 2017 (Harper’s Bazaar).

How has Ariana Grande spoken about her PTSD?

• She said in the documentary that the trauma has changed her relationship with fame and performance
• She has discussed therapy and coping mechanisms in interviews
• Her album Eternal Sunshine (released March 8, 2024) contains themes of healing and moving forward (Business Insider)

The paradigm: Grande’s willingness to discuss her PTSD has been praised by mental health advocates, but it also means her personal life is constantly parsed for clues about her emotional state.

Timeline of the relationship

Six milestones, one story: two people who met while working on a major film and ended previous relationships within months of each other.

• 2021–2023: Ariana Grande married to Dalton Gomez
• 2022: Ethan Slater and Lilly Jay welcome a son
• Early 2023: Ariana Grande separates from Dalton Gomez
• July 2023: News breaks that Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater are dating; Slater and Lilly Jay announce separation
• 2024: Couple seen together at Stanley Cup Final (June 8) and other events; Slater’s divorce still pending as of February 2024
• 2024–2025: Wicked film release; couple continues to appear publicly

Sources: Business Insider, Harper’s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan

Clarity check: what’s confirmed vs. what’s not

Given the low research confidence in some aspects, it’s important to separate verified facts from disputed claims.

Key quotes

“The most disappointing part was to see so many people believe the worst version of it.”

Ariana Grande, speaking to Vanity Fair (September 2024) via Harper’s Bazaar

“Ariana is not just a singer; she’s an incredible artist and person.”

Ethan Slater, as reported by Harper’s Bazaar

The takeaway: both parties have tried to shape their own narrative, with Grande defending the relationship against what she calls exaggerated tabloid coverage.

For Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater, the path forward requires navigating ongoing media scrutiny while building their personal and professional lives together. With Wicked set to bring them even more into the spotlight, the question is whether public perception will eventually catch up to their private reality—or remain stuck in the unresolved timeline of 2023. Grande and Slater continue to face intense public interest as they balance their careers and relationship.

For a detailed look at how Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater’s romance unfolded, readers can check Ethan Slater and Ariana Grandes relationship timeline.

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