Amid swirling breakup rumors, Ariana Grande's recent "Thank You, London" Instagram post featuring Ethan Slater has seemingly quieted speculation about trouble in paradise. The post, a carousel of images from the London premiere of "Wicked: For Good," included a photo of Grande arm-in-arm with Slater, alongside Danny Skinner, Slater's co-star from "SpongeBob SquarePants Musical: Live on Stage!". This visual reassurance follows weeks of fans noticing a distance between the couple during the "Wicked" press tour, leading to rumors of a split.
The "Wicked" co-stars, who began dating in July 2023, sparked relationship speculation after they avoided being photographed together on the red carpet at the London premiere. However, insiders insist that the couple remains "very much together" and reunited privately after the event. One source told The Sun that "Ariana and Ethan are still a couple, but they've seen the chatter online, and it's not been easy". Despite keeping their distance in public, sources speaking to TMZ claim that eyewitnesses at the London premiere saw Grande and Slater holding hands and being affectionate backstage.
Adding fuel to the reconciliation narrative, sources "close to the couple" affirmed to TMZ that they are "absolutely still together romantically". These sources emphasized that "everything's great between them," and that they "always make time for each other," despite their busy schedules. This echoes sentiments shared with People Magazine, where a source stated that Grande and Slater are "making it work" and are "incredibly supportive of each other's careers". The insider added that the couple is "so excited for everyone to see their new film".
The pair's relationship began shortly after their respective separations from then-spouses Dalton Gomez and Lilly Jay. Since then, they have maintained a low profile, focusing on their work and navigating the challenges of dating in the public eye. As one insider told Evening Standard, Grande and Slater are keeping their romance low-key while Grande focuses on promoting "Wicked: For Good" and balancing her chart comeback. Both are reportedly keen to keep the spotlight on the film rather than their relationship.
Adding another layer to the story, Slater previously acknowledged the intensity of Grande's global fame and her "ferocious" fanbase in a recent interview. Insiders suggest that navigating this dynamic is a challenge both are learning to manage as their relationship progresses away from the cameras. Despite the rumors and public scrutiny, Grande and Slater appear to be committed to each other.
"Wicked: For Good" is slated for release on November 21, 2025.
