Ariana Grande’s boyfriend, Ethan Slater, was seen toasting the pop star backstage amid her hosting duties for Saturday Night Live.
In two photos shared by musician Elizabeth Gillies, a close friend of Grande’s, via Instagram on Sunday, December 21, Slater, 33, was pictured hanging out in Grande’s dressing room.
The first frame showed Slater, who began dating Grande, 32, in July 2023 after the pair starred in Wicked together, sitting on the edge of a sofa as he posed with friends who also enjoyed festivities amid Grande’s Saturday, December 20, hosting gig. A second frame captured Slater seated beside Grande as the group raised cups filled with bubbles to mark Grande’s achievement.
Gillies, an actress who starred alongside Grande in the Broadway musical 13, captioned her Instagram carousel, “Nobody does it like you, dingus. What a treat it is to watch you use your many talents and gifts and use them so effortlessly well. Another brilliant episode.”
Ethan Slater Subtly Supports Ariana Grande’s ‘SNL’ Hosting Gig
The post drew praise from Grande, who commented, “I love you so much 🥹,” before fans noted Slater’s inclusion within the shots. “Ethannnn!” wrote one follower, while another commented on the rare public sighting of Slater in Grande’s orbit. “Ethan????? so does that mean…???” the fan wrote.
Us Weekly confirmed in July 2023 that Grande and Slater had struck up a “fairly new” relationship after individual breakups with exes. Earlier that month, news of Grande and Dalton Gomez’s marriage split made headlines while Slater filed to divorce his ex Lilly Jay shortly after his romance with Grande became public.
A source told Us in November that year that although Grande and Slater kept their relationship private for the most part, the pair had found a true connection in one another. “They’re a little dorky and [both] theater geeks at heart. She loves that about him. It’s mutual,” the insider said at the time. “Their relationship is blossoming. It’s effortless with zero drama.”
The pair have maintained a low-key couple profile ever since, however they were seen looking close at several significant events including March’s Academy Awards. They also made several joint public appearances throughout November as they joined the rest of the Wicked: For Good cast to promote the sequel throughout Europe and the U.S..
In September, Slater spoke about Grande during an interview with People that discussed Grande’s Eternal Sunshine Tour which is scheduled to begin in June 2026. “Ari’s fans are unbelievable and incredible and ferocious in their support of her — and it’s a beautiful thing,” he told the outlet at the time.
Grande’s recent SNL gig brings her total hosting count up to three. In a poignant piece of scheduling, the “Into You” hitmaker’s appearance coincided with her Wicked: For Good costar Bowen Yang’s final cast appearance after seven seasons. Grande marked the occasion via Instagram after the live episode wrapped, telling fans that she was proud of the comedian, 35.
“I love you more than words can say and I am just so very proud of you and all of the eggnog you’ve made over the years,” Grande wrote via an Instagram Story the following day. “It meant more than words can say to have been there for your sendoff last night. Happy trails, my brilliant and beautiful friend.”
Yang’s final sketch featured Grande and fellow singer Cher serenading the long-serving star as he became overwhelmed with emotion and sprung tears.
