Why Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater almost broke up

Rumors had been circulating for months that Ariana Grande And Ethan SlaterThe romance might not survive the scrutiny surrounding their relationship.

Although the couple never officially split, sources close to the matter say their bond was seriously tested behind the scenes.

Now, new details reveal how close they came to drifting apart before quietly facing their challenges.

Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater faced a tough time behind the scenes

Public sightings of Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater have been rare for much of the last year, sparking speculation that their relationship may be fragile. Although the couple never officially broke up, sources close to the matter say there was a time when the future of their relationship seemed uncertain.

“Ariana and Ethan went through a rough patch towards the end of last year,” a source close to Grande’s family said. Daily Mail. “They never broke up, but at some point it was questionable whether they would continue moving forward.”

Despite the tension, the couple reportedly chose to resolve their issues rather than call it quits.

“They’ve really spent time working on their relationship and are in a much better place. It’s been difficult for them with the way their relationship started and they’ve had a lot to overcome, but they seem to really, really love each other,” the source added.

The source also pointed to Slater’s presence during some of Grande’s major moments as proof that the relationship remained strong.

They shared, “He’s one of the main reasons Ethan was on a lot of Ariana’s Saturday Night Live assignments. They also spent the holidays with her family. Things are strong again between them now.”

How Grande and Slater first crossed paths

The love story between Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater began in late 2022 during the filming of the two-part musical film “Wicked” in the United Kingdom, directed by Jon M. Chu.

At the time, the two actors were married. Grande married real estate agent Dalton Gomez in 2021, while Slater was married to singer Lilly Jay.

Their personal lives changed dramatically in the following year. Court documents show Grande separated from Gomez in February 2023 after two years of marriage.

Around the same time, Slater filed for divorce from Jay in July 2023, shortly after news of his relationship with Grande became public. The Broadway star and his ex-wife share a young son.

The timeline surrounding their relationship attracted intense attention online, putting the couple under the microscope from the start.

Ariana Grande’s Surprising Relationship Preferences

The insider also revealed an unexpected detail about what may have attracted Grande to Slater in the first place.

According to the source, the pop star has a role model when it comes to her romantic choices.

“Ariana likes to date guys who she knows are prettier,” the source said. “It’s due to his own insecurities.”

Although the comment raised eyebrows, it was framed as part of the singer’s personal dynamic rather than a criticism of Slater.

Slater’s public comments on Grande

Ethan Slater has remained largely quiet about the details of his relationship with Ariana Grande, although he has spoken publicly about his fans.

In September, the Broadway actor congratulated the singer’s supporters by speaking to PEOPLE after some fans struggled to get tickets for his Eternal Sunshine tour.

“Ari’s fans are incredible, incredible and fierce in their support of her – and that’s a beautiful thing,” he told the outlet. “And I really hope there will be more opportunities to see her play.”

However, his reluctance to discuss their romance sparked new rumors in November when he appeared on the “Today Show.”

When asked about the experience of “working with your girlfriend every day”, Slater avoided the question and instead focused on the whole film.

He described the cast as “incredible” and praised Grande as “brilliant”, while also calling her co-star Cynthia Erivo “remarkable”.

Slater added that watching the two artists work together “at such a high level up close” was a “pretty special” experience.

Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater are now in a stronger position

Despite speculation surrounding their relationship, insiders say Grande and Slater have finally found their place.

“Ariana put Ethan on the back burner while she promoted the movie,” another source told the Daily Mail.

The insider said the couple is now enjoying a calmer, more stable chapter in their relationship.

They added, “But they’re in a solid place now. They’re like an old married couple at home. They’d rather spend time together and do simple things like play board games or binge watch shows than go out to fancy places.”

Although they tend to keep their romance private, Slater has shown support for Grande behind the scenes. In December, he was reportedly backstage at “Saturday Night Live” when the singer hosted the show’s holiday episode.

More recently, fans have noticed subtle hints about their relationship on social media. Shortly after Christmas, the couple posted photos from what appeared to be a small get-together with friends.

Slater shared clips of Grande smiling and posing with her dog Toulouse while gazing affectionately at him from behind the camera. Grande then reposted the clips on her own account, adding pink heart stickers.

The quiet gesture gave fans a rare glimpse into the couple’s personal lives, suggesting that despite the turmoil they faced, Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater may have emerged stronger than before.