Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater are making headlines again with fresh breakup speculation as their Wicked: For Good press tour heats up. The couple’s cryptic demeanor during recent interviews has sparked intense fan theories about their relationship status. All eyes remain on whether they’ll address the rumors before the film’s awards season push concludes.
🔥 Quick Facts
- November 21, 2025 – Ethan Slater dodged relationship questions on the Today show when asked about working with his “girlfriend” Ariana Grande
- Multiple sources claim the couple is putting off breakup announcements until after the Wicked: For Good press tour concludes
- October reports alleged their “infatuation has worn off” and they’ve been “running hot and cold” throughout 2025
- The pair met on the Wicked film set in 2022 and went public with their relationship in July 2023
Ethan Slater Avoids the Relationship Question on National Television
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When Craig Melvin asked Slater on the Today show how it felt working with his “girlfriend” every day, the 33-year-old Broadway star did something telling. He briefly stuttered and looked uncomfortable before pivoting to praise the entire cast instead.
“Well, well, the entire cast was incredible,” he responded with a nervous giggle. “Ariana’s brilliant, and Cynthia’s remarkable. So getting to watch those two women perform at such a high level…” The actor completely sidestepped the personal question, which sent fans into overdrive across social media and YouTube comments.
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This strategic dodge fueled speculation that Grande and Slater may be deliberately avoiding relationship talk during the film’s promotional run. According to sources cited by entertainment outlets, the pair has reportedly agreed to delay any breakup announcements until after the awards season push ends.
Why They’re Avoiding Comment During the Press Tour
| Timeline Event | Status/Details |
| November 21, 2025 | Ethan Slater dodges “girlfriend” question on Today show |
| Current Press Tour | Wicked: For Good promotional events underway internationally |
| October 2025 | Reports emerged of relationship cooling off after “infatuation wore off” |
| Expected Outcome | Potential announcement after awards season concludes |
Industry insiders believe the timing of their press tour avoidance is strategic. Wicked: For Good is positioned as a major awards contender, with both Grande and co-star Cynthia Erivo potentially competing for recognition. Announcing a split during this crucial promotional period could overshadow the film’s box office performance and awards push.
According to tabloid reports from Rob Shuter, sources indicated that Grande and Slater have been consciously delaying their breakup news for exactly this reason. The pair appeared together at the London Wicked premiere on November 10, posting photos that seemed designed to shut down rumors temporarily.
Breakup Rumors Have Been Building Since October
This latest cryptic behavior isn’t the first sign of trouble. Back in October, the Daily Mail reported that their romance had “petered out” with insiders claiming they’d been “on and off for most of this year.” One insider told the outlet that Slater chose not to attend the MTV VMAs with Grande because they’d had an argument days prior.
Multiple sources have described their dynamic as hot and cold throughout 2025. “The infatuation has worn off, some of the novelty,” an insider shared with outlets. “So they’re having to decide what’s left. Maybe she sees something that goes beyond the crush. But if there’s nothing more than what there was, it won’t last.”
People magazine reported in mid-November that despite the split rumors, sources claimed they were “still going strong.” However, the conflicting narratives and their visible avoidance of personal questions during press appearances suggest the relationship may be more complicated than either party is publicly admitting right now.
The Complicated History Behind Their Relationship
When Grande and Slater met on the Wicked film set in 2022, both were married to other people. Grande was wed to real estate agent Dalton Gomez, while Slater was married to Dr. Lilly Jay, with whom he shares a son.
Once their relationship became public in July 2023, scrutiny mounted immediately. Jay gave an unfiltered statement to Page Six, calling Grande “not a girl’s girl” and saying her family was “collateral damage.” Later, in a December 2024 essay for The Cut, Jay confirmed that an affair occurred on set. Both Grande and Slater finalized their respective divorces in 2024.
What Does This Mean for Their Future and the Wicked Franchise?
The tension surrounding their relationship status creates an awkward backdrop for what’s meant to be a celebratory movie moment. Sources close to the production suggest that any major announcements will likely wait until after the awards season concludes, possibly early 2026.
Interestingly, fans have noticed that Grande has largely avoided press interviews during the Wicked: For Good promotional cycle, adding another layer of mystery. When she has appeared, she’s remained tight-lipped about her personal life, mirroring Slater’s strategy.
The Wicked franchise has been a massive success commercially and critically, and studio executives have no interest in the actors’ relationship drama overshadowing that achievement. For now, expect continued silence on the subject until the film’s theatrical run and awards push are firmly in the rearview mirror.
“Wicked: For Good is expected to be a part of the awards show season, so it might be a while before Slater or Grande clarifies their relationship status.”
— Industry source regarding the couple’s silence strategy
Sources
- Yahoo Entertainment/SheKnows – Coverage of Ethan Slater’s Today show interview and relationship speculation
- Page Six – Reporting on Ethan Slater’s avoidance of relationship questions during press tour
- Cosmopolitan – Video documentation of the “girlfriend” question dodge
- People Magazine – November 2025 reporting on Grande and Slater relationship status
Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.