Ariana Grande Says Boyfriend Ethan Slater Is ‘Amazing’ as Mutual Friend Calls Them ‘A Perfect Couple’

After being fairly private about their relationship, Ariana Grande described boyfriend Ethan Slater as “amazing” in a new interview.

Grande, 31, was speaking to Will & Grace star Sean Hayes for a new episode of his podcast, “Smartless,” released on Monday, February 3. Hayes, also a musical theater star, described Grande’s Wicked costar Slater as a “good friend of mine” and said, “He’s one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet in your life. He did Good Night, Oscar with me in Chicago. And then he was on Wicked and now you guys are dating, and I love that because you guys make a perfect couple.”

Grande was, naturally, grateful for the kind words. “Thank you,” she said. “He’s amazing and he loves you.”

Grande and Slater, 32, first met in 2022 but began quietly dating in 2023 after splitting from their respective spouses, Dalton Gomez and Lilly Jay. Most recently, Slater took to Instagram to celebrate his girlfriend’s Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination, simply writing the words, “Oscar. Nominated,” alongside a photo of the star clutching some pink balloons: her character Glinda’s signature color.

Wicked is up for a total of 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Original Score, Best Production Design, Best Film Editing, Best Sound and Best Visual Effects.

Following her nomination, Grande also wrote an emotional post, expressing her pride at being honored by the Academy. “Picking my head up in between sobs to say thank you so much to @theacademy for this unfathomable recognition,” she wrote on January 23. “I cannot stop crying, to no one’s surprise. I’m humbled and deeply honored to be in such brilliant company and sharing this with tiny Ari who sat and studied Judy Garland singing ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ just before the big, beautiful bubble entered.”

She went on to honor some of her Wicked colleagues, including her “holding space” BFF Cynthia Erivo. “Thank you @jonmchu for taking this chance on me and for being the most unbelievably brilliant leader, human being, and most fierce friend,” she wrote. “I am so deeply proud of my beautiful Wicked family. I am so proud of my Elphie, my sister, my dear @cynthiaerivo. Your brilliance is never ending and you deserve every flower (tulip) in every garden. I love you unconditionally, always.”

While Erivo was hanging out with Taylor Swift on Sunday, February 2, at the 2025 Grammy Awards, Grande was absent from the ceremony for the fifth year running.