Ariana Grande's Fairytale Fades: Ethan Slater Left in the Wings
The Fairy Tale Fades: Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater's Relationship on the Rocks
It's been nearly two years since Broadway heartthrob Ethan Slater fell head over heels for pop superstar Ariana Grande on the set of Wicked, leaving behind his long-term partner and high school sweetheart, Lilly Jay. The whirlwind romance was met with a social media backlash, with fans labeling them "homewreckers" and memes flooding the internet faster than Ariana's iconic ponytail could whip around her head.
But what seemed like a fairytale come true for Ethan, who once stole hearts as SpongeBob SquarePants in a musical, has turned into a nightmare. Sources close to the couple reveal that Ethan is struggling to keep up with Ariana's grueling schedule, which includes touring arenas, rehearsing for Wicked: For Good, and juggling media appearances. "He loves her, but he's drowning in the circus of her life," an insider spills.
Ethan, 33, was once content with his quiet life on Broadway, but since hooking up with Ariana, he's been caught between two worlds. His co-parenting duties with Lilly and their three-year-old son are a constant reminder of what he left behind. "He sometimes wonders if he should have stayed in his quieter world; the contrast is brutal," a source reveals.
As Ariana, 32, continues to soar to new heights – with three VMAs under her belt, sold-out tours, and Wicked: For Good premiering this November – Ethan's career has taken a backseat. He reprises his role as Boq Woodsman in Wicked: For Good, but it seems like he's just going through the motions.
Days before Ariana's big VMA night in September, Ethan was spotted quietly co-parenting with Lilly and their little boy in Jersey City, while Ariana was surrounded by her entourage, including brother Frankie, stylist Law Roach, Lady Gaga, and a mini army of fans. The stark contrast between their lifestyles is clear.
Their last public appearance together was at a preview of Little Shop of Horrors in late April, where they supported Ariana's Victorious co-star Liz Gillies. Before that, they were spotted hugging and chatting all night at the Oscars in March. But insiders say the tension has been building for months.
"Ariana's fans are ferocious," Ethan admitted recently, "and I'm only sort of following along" with her tour. It's clear he's struggling to keep up with the pace of her life. And it's not just him – those closest to Ariana have witnessed the toll her high-pressure lifestyle takes on relationships.
Her past romances, including Pete Davidson, Big Sean, Ricky Alvarez, and Dalton Gomez, have all burned bright and fizzled quickly. It seems like Ethan could be the latest victim of Ariana's intense love-hate approach to romance.
So, what's really going on behind closed doors? The couple refuses to confirm or deny any split until after Wicked: For Good premieres in November, reportedly trying to keep the attention off their relationship. But sources close to the situation reveal that the fairytale has indeed ended.
As Ariana soars to new heights, Ethan is stuck in the wings, missing the calm and quiet life he left behind. It's a tough pill to swallow for fans who once cheered on their whirlwind romance. Will they make it through the final curtain call of Wicked: For Good, or will their love story become just another footnote in Ariana's history books?
TheScholarlyNote.com exclusively brings you the latest updates from the celebrity world, where glamour and drama collide. Stay tuned for more juicy gossip and behind-the-scenes scoops!