Estimated read time2 min read

  • A new report from The Daily Mail claims that Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater have been “on and off” this whole year.
  • An insider source reportedly told the outlet that Ariana and Ethan’s relationship was “toxic.”
  • The Wicked: For Good stars were reportedly once talking about marriage.

As promotion for Wicked: For Good ramps up, rumor has it Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater’s relationship is slowing down. A new report from The Daily Mail claims that Ariana and Ethan have been “on and off” lately, hinting that they could be headed for a messy split.

“Ariana and Ethan have been on and off for most of this year,” an alleged insider told The Daily Mail. “He chose not to attend the MTV VMAs with her because they’d had an argument just days before. But they made up soon after. They’ve both been running hot and cold with each other.”

It’s true that Ariana and Ethan have been keeping a low profile since awards season, but that’s not exactly unusual for the duo. In the last three years since they met in 2022, they’ve never walked a red carpet together and have rarely been caught by paparazzi. It seems the only reason they have red carpet and event photos together is because they were both promoting the same movie: Wicked.

ethan slater, ariana grande at the "wicked" los angeles premiere at the dorothy chandler pavilion on november 9, 2024 in los angeles, california. (photo by gilbert flores/variety via getty images)

Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images

So, was Ethan’s absence from the VMAs really proof of a breakup? I wouldn’t be so sure. He later congratulated her on her Moon Person wins in an Instagram Story. And just days after the VMAs, he spoke briefly about the singer in September while attending the Gen V season 2 premiere, joking that he’d send videos of Ariana’s upcoming tour to a reporter from People.

According to The Daily Mail’s insider source, Ariana and Ethan aren’t yet broken up, but they have cooled off significantly since last year. “What they have going is more than a little toxic, but they’re keeping it together for now,” they said. “At one time they discussed marriage, but that is no longer on the table. They fell head over heels in love when they first hooked up. But those days are over.”

The source added that they doubted they would stay together after Wicked: For Good hits theaters November 21.