Ariana Grande is reportedly getting close with Wicked co-star Ethan Slater, who previously portrayed SpongeBob in the SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage, according to people close to the couple.
Grande and Slater met while working on the Wicked set a few months back and sources have revealed that the pair have since been dating.
A source told ET Online: “Ariana and Ethan recently started dating. They have a lot in common and have a lot of fun.
“They didn’t start dating until both were broken up with their significant others. Ariana and Dalton remain friends.”
When the ensemble went out in London in March to celebrate Michelle Yeoh’s Oscar victory, the duo, who met on the Wicked movie set, were seen getting cozy with one another.
Since their alleged relationship was made public, Slater has made his Instagram account private.
It was recently announced that Ariana Grande, and her spouse of two years, Dalton Gomez, divorced in January, prompting rumours of her potential new romance.
“They came to the decision together,” a source told Page Six. “They were having problems before January, but they want to remain best friends.”
In an attempt to salvage their marriage, Gomez allegedly paid the singer a visit on the Wicked set. Despite his efforts, it just “didn’t work out.”
“They’ve been really good friends throughout the entire process, and their friends and families have been trying to protect them.”
“Ariana and Dalton separated in January,” another insider told PEOPLE. “She and Ethan recently began dating.”
“Ari has nothing but kind words to say about Dalton. During their marriage, he was her No. 1 fan,” the source added.
In addition, Slater recently broke up from his wife and highschool sweetheart, singer Lilly Jay, with whom he has a child.
Slater sent Jay a tribute on his Instagram in November 2022 in honour of their tenth wedding anniversary.
He wrote: “My best friend. 4 years married, 10 years together. And this is easily the best (and most *bizarre*) year yet.”
They were married in 2018 and announced their pregnancy with a photo of a onesie that said “Wicked Cute” in January of this year.
“Super vague post, but we have a baby now,” he wrote in the caption.
After hearing the surprising news, dozens of fans have shared their thoughts on the union, with one writing: “He been hitting tht for awhile, come on! Otherwise the divorce wouldn’t have happened.”
While another said: “Didn’t she just get divorced? Jeez people jumping into relationships so fast these days, like don’t be so desperate!!!”
“Put it into perspective. The wife gave birth less than a year ago. She’s probably adjusting with her body and having to take of the baby ALONE while this Spongebob is in London, filming Wicked and smushing with Ariana Grande. FOUL. Absolutely FOUL,” a third added.
Another commented: “Everyone losing their mind over ariana grande ethan slater saying he’s not hot. some of you didn’t live in nyc when spongebob the musical was on broadway and these nyu b**ches were thirsting for him. this makes perfect sense to me.”
What do you think?
