Wicked is poised to be a blockbuster feat — and it also brought star Ethan Slater a blush-worthy romance with Ariana Grande behind the scenes.
While speaking with GQ in a profile published on Wednesday, October 30, the outlet reported that Slater, 32, physically blushed when asked about falling in love with Grande, 31, on the set.
“That’s a really sweet question,” Slater quipped. “That’s really nice of you to ask. That’s a really sweet question.”
News broke in July 2023 that Slater and Grande sparked a real-life romance following their respective splits from Lilly Jay and Dalton Gomez. The two actors, who portray Boq and Galinda/Glinda in the big-screen adaptation of Broadway hit Wicked, denied that they cheated on their then-partners amid widespread speculation.
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“Obviously, it was a really super big year, and I think there was something that was really difficult about things in your private life being commented on and looked at by the public,” Slater told GQ. “There were a lot of big changes in private lives that were really happening, so it’s really hard to see people who don’t know anything about what’s happening commenting on it and speculating, and then getting things wrong about the people you love. So just to address that part of it, that feels really hard.”
He added, “But, of course, it was an amazing year and a really beautiful thing, and I’m just really excited.”
Slater went on to praise Grande’s portrayal of the legendary Good Witch of the North.
“I’m just really, really proud of Ari and the work she’s done on this,” Slater said. “She’s poured herself into it. I’m really proud that I got to be there for that part of it, and I’m really excited to be there for this next step of it when the world gets to see the amazing thing that she did.”
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Slater also referred to Grande as “one of the best comedians that’s been in a movie” and called her portrayal “genius.”
Their real-life romance even inspired multiple songs on Grande’s latest album, Eternal Sunshine.
“She’s such an amazing performer,” Slater said. “I think everyone knows how good she is [as] a recording artist and all that, but I’m just really blown away by the songwriting.”
Slater and Grande got together shortly after he separated from Jay, his high school sweetheart. He and Jay finalized their divorce last month and remain committed to coparenting their 2-year-old son. (The exes have not publicly shared their child’s name.)
“Being a dad is the best thing in the world,” Slater told GQ. “It’s been an interesting thing to navigate as a new parent. … He’s the best and the light of my life. But I also want to give him the opportunity to meet the world on his own terms — to meet the world in an analog way and not through my words.”
Wicked Part 1 debuts in theaters Friday, November 22.
