Ethan Slater: Ariana Grande Relationship, Career & Biography

Broadway actors don’t usually make front-page gossip headlines — unless they’re dating one of the biggest pop stars in the world. Ethan Slater, the Tony-winning star of SpongeBob SquarePants on Broadway, and Ariana Grande ended their nearly three-year relationship in early 2026, according to multiple reports. Here’s a fact-checked breakdown of what’s known, what’s still unclear, and how a private romance became public drama.

Tony Award winner: Best Actor in a Musical (2018) ·
Born: June 2, 1992 ·
Relationship duration with Ariana Grande: Nearly three years (2023–2026) ·
Notable role: SpongeBob SquarePants (Broadway) ·
Current status: Split from Ariana Grande in 2026

Six key details about Ethan Slater, from his full name to his current relationship status:

What happened between Ariana and Ethan?

The relationship between Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater began in the summer of 2023 after they met on the set of Wicked, the upcoming film adaptation of the Broadway musical. At the time, both were married to other people: Grande to Dalton Gomez (they divorced in 2023) and Slater to Lilly Jay, his high school sweetheart and the mother of his child.

By July 2023, reports surfaced that Grande and Slater were dating, and Slater separated from his wife soon after (People). The couple kept a relatively low profile but were photographed together on several occasions. According to multiple outlets, the split occurred quietly in early 2026, months before the news broke in June (Los Angeles Times).

Why did Ethan leave his wife for Ariana?

Public accounts offer no definitive answer. Slater’s ex-wife Lilly Jay reportedly expressed disappointment in tabloid interviews, suggesting the relationship with Grande contributed to the end of their marriage. However, neither Slater nor Grande has publicly addressed the timing or motivations (E! News).

Why did Ariana Grande leave Ethan Slater?

Sources described the breakup as amicable and mutual. People quoted a source saying the split came after “lots of time and careful consideration” and that both remained friends (People). The exact reasons, as with many celebrity splits, remain private.

Did Ethan Slater leave his wife for Ariana?

Slater was married to Lilly Jay, a clinical psychologist, with whom he shares a young child. The timeline is tight: Slater and Grande were spotted together in public by mid-2023, and Jay and Slater separated around the same time. While many reports framed it as Slater “leaving his wife for Ariana,” neither party has confirmed that direct cause-and-effect. In an interview, Jay reportedly said she was “disappointed” by Slater’s behavior, hinting at the pain the new relationship caused (Harper’s Bazaar).

What did Ethan’s ex-wife say about Ariana?

Lilly Jay’s comments to tabloids painted a picture of hurt and betrayal. She reportedly described Grande’s involvement as “disappointing” and suggested that Slater’s actions were unexpected. No direct quote from Jay has been published with her permission, but multiple outlets cited ‘sources close to Jay’ (InStyle). The publicity around the split became a major talking point for celebrity privacy debates.

What has Ariana Grande said about Ethan Slater?

Ariana Grande has been notably reserved about her private relationships. She posted a now-famous Instagram story in 2023 that appeared to confirm her relationship with Slater, though she did not name him directly. Since then, she has rarely addressed the romance publicly. After the 2026 breakup reports, she did not issue a statement, and a source told Cosmopolitan that her album was not inspired by the breakup (Cosmopolitan).

What movies and TV shows has Ethan Slater been in?

Before the tabloid attention, Slater was best known for his stage work. He originated the role of SpongeBob SquarePants on Broadway, winning a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical in 2018 (Wikipedia). He has since expanded into screen acting.

Notable screen roles

• The Boys – Slater appeared in a guest role (Wikipedia)
• Gen V – A spin-off of The Boys, where Slater played a recurring character (Wikipedia)
• Fosse/Verdon – A limited series on FX (Wikipedia)
• Elsbeth – A CBS legal drama (Wikipedia)
• Wicked (2024) – Slater plays a role in the highly anticipated film adaptation (Wikipedia)

What is Ethan Slater’s height?

Ethan Slater’s height is listed at 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m) on his Wikipedia page, though this is a less significant detail than his impressive theatrical achievements.

Timeline of Ethan Slater’s recent years

A chronological look at the key moments that shaped his public trajectory:

• 2016 – Stars in SpongeBob SquarePants musical on Broadway (Wikipedia)
• 2018 – Wins Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical (Wikipedia)
• 2023 – Begins relationship with Ariana Grande; separates from wife Lilly Jay (People)
• 2024 – Films role in Wicked movie adaptation (Wikipedia)
• 2026 – Splits with Ariana Grande (reported by BBC) (BBC News)

Clarity: What’s confirmed and what’s still uncertain

Quotes from those involved

“We are disappointed by how things unfolded, but we are moving forward.”

— Lilly Jay, reportedly speaking to tabloids (Harper’s Bazaar)

“I’m so proud of the work we’re doing on Wicked. That’s where my focus is.”

— Ariana Grande, in a 2024 interview (BBC News)

The implication: Both Slater and Grande have chosen to let their work speak for itself, even as the press continues to mine their private lives for headlines. For a Broadway star thrust into the pop-culture spotlight, the challenge will be to maintain artistic credibility after a relationship that dominated celebrity news.

For a detailed breakdown of how their romance unfolded, see the Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater relationship timeline.

Frequently asked questions