Ariana Grande is no longer shy about discussing her relationship with Ethan Slater, her Wicked co-star, and partner. During her appearance on the SmartLess podcast, co-hosted by Sean Hayes, Will Arnett, and Jason Bateman, Grande spoke about Slater, sharing that he’s not just a romantic partner but also a close friend.
The conversation took a nostalgic turn when Hayes recalled their time together in a hair and makeup trailer during their 2016 performance of Hairspray Live!. He then mentioned Slater, calling him “a very good friend” of his, which prompted Grande to respond, “Yes, he loves you so much.” Hayes, in turn, expressed his admiration for Slater, saying, “He’s one of the nicest individuals you’ll ever meet,” and shared memories of working with him on Good Night, Oscar in Chicago.
As the conversation progressed, Hayes mentioned Slater’s role in Wicked and praised the couple, saying they made a “perfect” match. Grande agreed, replying, “Yeah, he’s amazing. Thank you; he’s amazing, and he loves you.”
Grande and Slater’s relationship became public in July 2023, when People magazine confirmed the news after both had separated from their previous partners. The two first met while filming the Wicked adaptation in London in 2022. Throughout their press tour for the film, the couple kept their relationship relatively private, but recently, Slater shared a beautiful photo of Grande standing on a balcony in London, holding pink balloons in celebration of her Academy Award nomination.