Pop superstar Ariana Grande and actor Ethan Slater have firmly dismissed speculation about their relationship status with a united appearance at the Wicked: For Good New York premiere on Monday night.
The couple, who have kept a noticeable distance during recent promotional events for their new film, were seen sharing a rare and intimate moment on the red carpet, putting split rumours to rest.
A United Front on the Red Carpet
After weeks of giving each other a wide berth at public engagements, the dynamic between the co-stars shifted dramatically at the New York event. Ariana Grande, 32, and Ethan Slater, 33, were photographed standing closely together during a photo opportunity.
Observers noted Slater gazing adoringly at Grande as she raised her hands, a stark contrast to their previous appearances. The pair were also seen engaged in a lively group conversation with fellow cast members between photo sessions.
A Relationship of Ups and Downs
According to reports, the couple's romance has been 'on and off for most of this year'. A source revealed to The Daily Mail that Slater skipped the MTV VMAs following a disagreement with Grande, though the pair reportedly reconciled shortly after.
The duo first met on the set of the Oscar-winning Wicked movie in 2022 under complicated circumstances. At the time, Ethan was still in a relationship with his high school sweetheart, clinical psychologist Lilly Jay, with whom he shares a three-year-old child. The couple had married in 2018 and divorced in 2023.
Ariana, meanwhile, was newly separated from her real estate realtor ex-husband Dalton Gomez. Their marriage, which began in 2021, was finalised in 2024.
Following the public revelation of Grande and Slater's romance in July 2023, Lilly Jay issued a scathing statement, telling Page Six: '[Ariana's] the story really. Not a girl's girl. My family is just collateral damage.'
Stronger Than Ever
Despite rarely speaking publicly about their relationship, Ariana has previously defended Ethan against claims he abandoned his family. She told Vanity Fair that 'no-one on this earth tries harder or spreads themselves thinner to be there for the people that he loves and cares about'.
After the London premiere, where the pair only posed together in group shots, insiders now confirm their relationship is 'the real deal'. A source told People that the couple is 'better than ever' and successfully 'making it work' despite their demanding schedules.
'They both have a lot going on, but their relationship is the real deal,' the source revealed. 'They're incredibly supportive of each other's careers and so excited for everyone to see their new film.'
