Why Ariana Grande And Ethan Slater Nearly Broke Up

Rumors swirled for months that Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater’s romance might not survive the intense scrutiny surrounding their relationship.

While the couple never officially split, insiders say their bond was seriously tested behind the scenes.

Now, new details reveal how close they came to walking away before quietly working through their challenges.

Public sightings of Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater were scarce for much of last year, sparking speculation that their relationship might be on shaky ground. While the pair never officially broke up, insiders say there was a period when the future of their romance looked uncertain.

“Ariana and Ethan hit a rough patch towards the end of last year,” a source close to Grande’s family told the Daily Mail. “They never broke up, but it was questionable at a point if they were going to continue moving forward.”

Despite the tension, the couple reportedly chose to work through 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 hard for them with the way their relationship began and they’ve had a lot to work through, but they seem to really, truly love each other,” the insider 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, “That’s a huge reason why Ethan was at a lot of Ariana’s Saturday Night Live duties. They also spent the holidays together with her family. Things are strong between them again now.”

Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater’s love story began in late 2022 while filming the two-part movie musical “Wicked” in the United Kingdom, directed by Jon M. Chu.

At the time, both actors were married. Grande had tied the knot with real estate agent Dalton Gomez in 2021, while Slater was married to singer Lilly Jay.

Their personal lives shifted dramatically 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 drew intense attention online, placing the couple under a microscope from the start.

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

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

“Ariana likes to date guys she knows she’s better looking than,” the insider said. “It’s due to her own insecurities.”

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

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

In September, the Broadway actor praised the singer’s supporters while speaking to PEOPLE after some fans struggled to secure tickets for her Eternal Sunshine tour.

“Ari’s fans are unbelievable and incredible and ferocious in their support of her – and it’s a beautiful thing,” he told the outlet. “And I really hope that there are other opportunities to see her perform.”

However, his reluctance to discuss their romance sparked fresh 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 film’s ensemble.

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

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

Despite the speculation surrounding their relationship, insiders say Grande and Slater eventually found their footing.

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

The insider said the pair are now enjoying a quieter and more stable chapter of their relationship.

They added, “But they’re in a solid place now. They’re like an old married couple at home. They’d rather hang out together and do simple things like play board games or binge watch shows rather 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 of their relationship on social media. Shortly after Christmas, the couple posted photos from what appeared to be a small gathering with friends.

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

The quiet gesture offered fans a rare glimpse into the couple’s personal life, suggesting that despite the turbulence they faced, Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater may have come out the other side stronger than before.