As we journey through this swirling abyss we call life, I know one question haunts these delicate times: Are Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater still together?
Recall the bygone era of the summer of 2023, when the pair made headlines for their new romance amid the then-recent demise of their respective marriages.
Now, as Wicked: For Good comes screaming into our lives, speculation has abounded that the two have broken up. The evidence? Well, there are tabloids and blind items that suggest that the relationship is in trouble, but it’s worth taking those with a grain of salt.
Then there was Ethan’s absence at the MTV VMAs, where Ariana won the Video of the Year award surrounded by her family. It was another one that sparked the rumor mill, though Ethan did later share a clip of Ariana’s acceptance speech on his Instagram story. Again, tough to make specific judgments given that the two weren’t always super public about things in the best of times.
The closest one of them has come to directly addressing the other in an interview was last month, when Ethan was asked for his response to fans following Ariana’s tour selling out. He replied, “Ari’s fans are unbelievable and incredible and ferocious in their support of her — and it’s a beautiful thing…And I really hope that there are other opportunities to see her perform. It’s really intense, and I’ve been sort of following along, but it’s kind of an amazing thing that so many people wanna see her shows, you know? Like what a beautiful thing.”
Then we get to today, when the first look at the television special Wicked: One Wonderful Night was revealed. And who is dutifully sharing photos of Ariana on his story? Yes, Ethan.
He’s even gone ahead and “liked” and shared Ari’s BTS pictures from her page:
They did also “like” one another’s official Wicked: For Good cast portraits (though…they did “like” everyone’s portraits).
More tellingly, Ariana “liked” Ethan’s Gen V post shortly after it was published:
In short, what have we learned? Not much.