Thank U, Next? Ariana Grande reportedly dating ‘Wicked’ co-star Ethan Slater

Photos by Valerie Macon/AFP (Ariana Grande) and Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images via AFP

We thought she’d end up with Dalton Gomez, but he wasn’t really a match.

Right after we learned that Ariana Grande recently split from her husband Gomez with plans to divorce, rumors are swirling that the “Thank U, Next” songstress has found a new love interest in Ethan Slater, her co-star in the film adaptation of “Wicked.”

According to People, multiple sources reported that the Grammy winner and the Broadway star are romantically involved with each other and have recently started dating.

While a lot of misunderstandings have arisen regarding the circumstances and the timeline of both “Wicked” artists coming together, it is not—as multiple sources said—what others perceive it to be. A close family friend told People that both artists started dating after Grande’s separation from Gomez and Slater’s separation from his wife, Lilly Jay.

“The truth is, Ariana and Ethan didn’t begin seeing each other until after both parties were separated, respectfully,” continues the close family friend, adding that their relationship is going strong and they’re trying their best to “navigate their relationship in the public eye.”

A second source remarks, “They are doing their best to balance the fact that they are in the public eye with the desire to be respectful to all parties involved… Ethan’s priority will always be to co-parent his son.”

Moreover, Grande and Gomez have remained friends and acknowledged that their relationship simply didn’t work due to the challenges of a long-distance relationship.

But, who is Ethan Slater?

Slater is a 31-year-old Broadway star from Silver Spring, Maryland. He is best known for playing the title character in the Broadway musical version of “SpongeBob SquarePants” where he eventually earned a Tony nomination.

You may also like: Olivia Rodrigo makes Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative herstory, alongside Taylor Swift

According to ET, he proceeded to take on off-Broadway roles in Camelot and Assassins before securing a role in the adaptation of “Wicked” in December 2022. Slater is “Boq” in the film, while Grande plays “Glinda.” Both recently wrapped up filming “Wicked” in the UK, which is set for a 2024 release.

Now that Grande and Slater have ended their previous relationships, they appear to be ready to dance through life together in their newfound romance.