The claims of Ethan Slater and Ariana Grande‘s amicable separation appear to have some merit, with the actor looking nothing like a heartbroken man.
Slater recently stepped out for some theater fun, marking his first public appearance since news of his breakup surfaced. A source confirmed the end of his romance with Grande on June 8.
Ethan Slater and Ariana Grande appear to be doing fine separately, with the singer focused on her first tour in seven years.
Slater returned to the spotlight on Thursday, June 11, stepping out to attend Shakespeare in the Park’s production of “Romeo & Juliet.” The event took place at The Delacorte Theater in New York City’s Central Park, with the paparazzi capturing the celebrities in attendance.
For the big day, Slater opted for a casual fit, looking radiant in a white t-shirt, black trousers, and white sneakers. He accessorized with a silver chain, offering bright smiles for the flashing cameras while posing for pictures.
A video shared by TMZ highlighted the moment, showing Slater posing with his hands in his trouser pockets or holding them in front of him. He appeared solo and did not seem bothered by the end of his romance with Grande.
The Former Couple Quietly Ended Their Relationship
Slater’s composed appearance in New York City might stem from the alleged way he separated from Grande. The Blast covered the story, reporting that a source had confirmed the end of Slater and Grande’s romance after nearly three years together.
The exact date of their separation wasn’t given, as the source claimed Slater and Grande “have been quietly broken up for several months.” Although they decided to end their relationship, the source stressed that they did so amicably and not on bad terms.
“They are still friends and very supportive of one another,” the source continued. They added that Grande wasn’t affected by the end of her romance, claiming she was “doing great” and focused on her Eternal Sunshine tour, which kicked off on June 6.
Inside Ariana Grande And Ethan Slater’s Relationship
The former couple reportedly met on the set of the musical, “Wicked,” where Grande played Glinda, the good witch, while Slater played Boq. They sparked dating rumors in July 2023 and kept fans guessing until they went Instagram official in November 2024.
That same year, Grande raved about her love for Slater in an interview, describing him as an “amazing person.” She appeared head over heels for Slater, calling him “adorable” while raving about his performance in the musical.
“I’m so happy people are getting to know him. My heart is very happy,” Grande added. She wasn’t alone in her feelings, with Slater declaring that his then-girlfriend’s performance in “Wicked: For Good” was “out of this world.”
The Nickelodeon Alum Praised Her Ex Amid Breakup Rumors
Months before Grande and Slater’s breakup became public, they had sparked separation rumors. The Blast reported in December 2025 that Grande had honored her late ex, Mac Miller, during an appearance at Chapman University.
She credited him for improving her style of music, recalling how Miller had urged her to explore the R&B side of Pop and learn to combine them. Grande spoke about the late singer with gratitude, noting his support inspired her to work with him.
The duo teamed up for Grande’s 2013 hit song, “The Way,” and they also worked together on the 2016 remix of Grande’s “Into You” as well as Miller’s 2016 track, “My Favorite Part.” Miller took his final breath on September 7, 2018, following an accidental overdose.
Ariana Grande’s Dating History
Before Slater and Miller, Grande made waves for dating other men in the entertainment industry. According to Page Six, her dating history began when she fell for “Riverdale” actor Graham Phillips in 2008. However, their young love ended in 2011.
Nearly a year after their split, Grande found love again with MTV star Jai Brooks. They began dating in August 2012, and things seemed rosy between them until Brooks accused Grande of cheating on him in 2013, which she denied.
That same year, Grande dated English singer Nathan Sykes, but they reportedly split four months later. Next came rapper Big Sean in 2014, a relationship that ended nearly nine months after they shocked fans with their romance. Grande’s exes also include Ricky Alvarez, Pete Davidson, and her ex-husband, Dalton Gomez.