The entertainment world was sent into a frenzy on Thursday (July 20) when reports surfaced that Ariana Grande is dating her 31-year-old Wicked costar Ethan Slater following her recently reported split from husband Dalton Gomez.
Both TMZ and People report that he and Grande started dating after both of their relationships were over. Slater was previously married to singer Lilly Jay, and the two celebrated their four-year wedding anniversary in November 2022.
Grande plays Glinda opposite Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba in Jon M. Chu’s upcoming live-action film adaptation of the Broadway show Wicked, which will be split into two parts. The movie was initially meant to hit theaters on Christmas Day of next year (Dec. 25, 2024). But in the spirit of giving thanks, Wicked Part 1 is now set to be released next Thanksgiving (Nov. 27, 2024).
In the film, Slater is playing Boq, a munchkin boy who, fittingly, has a crush on Glinda.
Earlier in the week, TMZ reported that Grande and Gomez had split after two years of marriage. Prior to their reported split, they attempted to reconcile without success. TMZ, People and Entertainment Tonight also report that Grande and Gomez remain friends, and talk regularly over the phone.
See below for everything you need to know about Ethan Slater.
1. He Starred in the 'SpongeBob SquarePants' Musical
Before stepping onscreen as Boq, Slater lived in a pineapple under the sea as everyone’s favorite sponge in the SpongeBob SquarePants musical. You can watch the whole thing over on Paramount+.
Slater grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland, before attending Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York. He also has two older sisters.
5 He Also Has a Number of TV Roles
The actor, singer, writer and composer made his TV debut on Murphy Brown, but has additional credits including Instinct and Fosse/Verdon.