Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater reportedly called it quits months ago, but in keeping with insiders, the pair’s nearly three-year romance had been anything but regular long before the breakup became public. Multiple sources are alleging that Grande and Slater quietly split “several” months ago after navigating an “on-off” relationship behind the scenes. The breakup comes as Ariana Grande gears up for a packed skilled chapter, including her “Everlasting Sunshine” tour, a brand new album, and a serious role within the upcoming “Meet the Fockers” sequel.
While fans speculated in regards to the status of their relationship in recent months, Page Six insiders claim Grande and Slater had been navigating turbulence for quite a while.
When rumors first surfaced that the pair had split in late 2025, one friend of Grande reportedly admitted they were skeptical the romance would last. “If I needed to look into my crystal ball, would I believe they might stay together? No,” the source told Page Six.
Signs Grande And Slater’s Relationship Was In Trouble
Those near the couple reportedly noticed signs of trouble months earlier. In response to insiders, Slater’s appearance at Grande’s hosting gig during “Saturday Night Live”’s holiday show in December caught many by surprise, because the pair had reportedly not been seen together in weeks.
“I assumed they were broken up,” one onlooker reportedly said after spotting Slater at dress rehearsal. One other insider added, “People definitely were surprised that Ethan turned up. Nobody thought they were together… they were on off, on off, on off.”
Photos shared by Grande’s close friend Elizabeth Gillies later showed the pair together over the vacations, while Slater also offered fans a glimpse into their “very merry” season on social media. Nevertheless, it might reportedly mark certainly one of the last public glimpses of the couple 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. On 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 top of her marriage to luxury real estate agent Dalton Gomez. The timing fueled backlash online, with each Grande and Slater facing accusations of infidelity, something sources near the pair have repeatedly denied.
“There was no cheating… neither of them must have been branded cheaters; that’s not who either of them are,” one insider reportedly told the outlet.
Still, tensions escalated publicly after Jay shared emotional comments in regards to the fallout of her 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 a different country with my two-month-old baby and my husband to support his profession,” Jay wrote. “Consumed by the magic and mundanity of latest motherhood, I didn’t understand the growing distance between us.”
Pete Davidson Is Still Reportedly Protective Of Grande
Even years after their whirlwind romance, Grande’s ex-fiancé Pete Davidson reportedly stays protective of the singer. Grande and Davidson famously got engaged in 2018 just weeks after they began dating before ultimately ending their relationship later that yr following the death of Grande’s ex-boyfriend, Mac Miller.
In response to a friend of Davidson’s, the comedian still thinks highly of Grande despite the passage of time. “She’s been through rather a lot in her life, and Pete admires her a lot, she just keeps working and just keeps outdoing herself,” the source reportedly shared.
The insider added that although the previous couple hasn’t spoken in a while, Davidson stays “extremely protective” of the pop star.
Ariana Grande Is Focusing On Work Following Split
Though Grande and Slater have reportedly gone their separate ways romantically, insiders insist the split was amicable. “She and Ethan are still friends,” one source said. “This shouldn’t be a dramatic breakup, it’s not like that in any respect…it was not an overnight thing, it was a thoughtful decision, there’s no break in communication.”
Professionally, Grande has remained busier than ever. The singer recently launched her “Everlasting Sunshine” tour and is preparing to advertise “Focker-in-Law,” the most recent installment within the “Meet the Fockers” franchise, by which she stars alongside Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro.
In response to those near Grande, her upcoming album Petal won’t deal with heartbreak. “It’s not about romantic love,” one friend reportedly said. “It’s Ari’s way of responding to all of the headlines.”