Ariana Grande And Ethan Slater reportedly decided to end their relationship months ago, but according to inside sources, their nearly three-year romance had been anything but stable long before the breakup became public. Multiple sources claim that Grande and Slater quietly split “several” months ago after having an “on and off” relationship behind the scenes. The breakup comes as Ariana Grande prepares for a busy professional chapter, including her “Eternal Sunshine” tour, a new album and a major role in the upcoming “Meet the Fockers” sequel.
Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater were reportedly “on-off” before their split
While fans have been speculating about the status of their relationship in recent months, Page Six insiders claim that Grande and Slater have been going through turmoil for some time.
When rumors first surfaced that the couple had split in late 2025, a friend of Grande reportedly admitted he was skeptical that the romance would last. “If I had to look into my crystal ball, would I think they would stay together? No,” the source told Page Six.
Signs Grande and Slater’s relationship was in trouble
Those close to the couple reportedly noticed signs of trouble months earlier. According to insiders, Slater’s appearance at Grande’s hosting gig on “Saturday Night Live”‘s holiday show in December surprised many, as the two had reportedly not been seen together in weeks.
“I thought they were broken up,” an audience member reportedly said after spotting Slater at the dress rehearsal. Another insider added, “People were definitely surprised that Ethan showed up. No one thought they were together…they were on, on, on.”
Photos shared by Grande’s close friend Elizabeth Gillies later showed the couple together on vacation, while Slater also gave fans a glimpse of their “very happy” season on social media. However, this would mark one of the couple’s last public glimpses together.
Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater’s romance faced backlash from the start
Grande and Slater’s relationship sparked controversy almost immediately after reports surfaced in 2023 that they were dating while working together on “Wicked” in London. At the time, Slater had recently separated from his wife, Lilly Jay, with whom he shares a young son.
Their relationship was publicly confirmed just days after Grande announced the end of her marriage to luxury real estate agent Dalton Gomez. This timing fueled backlash online, with Grande and Slater both facing accusations of infidelity, which sources close to both men have repeatedly denied.
“There was no cheating…neither of them should have been called cheaters; that’s not who they are,” a source reportedly told the outlet.
Yet tensions escalated publicly after Jay shared emotional comments about the fallout from his marriage. “My family is just collateral damage,” she previously told Page Six before later reflecting on the painful experience in an essay for The Cut.
“I confidently moved to another country with my two-month-old baby and my husband to support his career,” Jay wrote. “Consumed by the magic and banality of a new motherhood, I did not understand the growing distance between us.”
Pete Davidson would always protect Grande
Even years after their whirlwind romance, Grande’s ex-fiance Pete Davidson would remain protective of the singer. Grande and Davidson got engaged in 2018 just weeks after they began dating, before ending their relationship later that year after Grande’s ex-boyfriend died. Mac Miller.
According to a friend of Davidson’s, the comedian still has a high opinion of Grande despite the passage of time. “She’s been through a lot in her life, and Pete admires her so much, she continues to work and push herself,” the source reportedly shared.
The source added that even though the former couple haven’t spoken in a while, Davidson remains “extremely protective” of the pop star.
Ariana Grande focuses on her work after her split
Although Grande and Slater split romantically, insiders insist the split was amicable. “She and Ethan are still friends,” a source said. “It’s not a dramatic breakup, it’s not like that at all…it wasn’t an overnight decision, it was a considered decision, there’s no breakdown in communication.”
Professionally, Grande has remained busier than ever. The singer recently kicked off her “Eternal Sunshine” tour and is gearing up to promote “Focker-in-Law,” the latest installment in the “Meet the Fockers” franchise, in which she stars alongside Ben Stiller And Robert DeNiro.
According to those close to Grande, her upcoming album Petal will not focus on heartbreak. “It’s not about romantic love,” a friend reportedly said. “It’s Ari’s way of responding to all the headlines.”
