Ariana Grande Says It Was ‘Disappointing’ to See People ‘Believe the Worst’ of Her Romance with Ethan Slater

Ariana Grande is finally addressing the public fallout surrounding her relationship with Wicked co-star Ethan Slater. In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, the singer and actress opened up about the intense scrutiny and rumors that emerged when she began dating Slater, particularly regarding the timelines of their respective separations from their former spouses. “The most disappointing part was to see so many people believe the worst version of it,” Grande shared, reflecting on the media frenzy that followed the news of their relationship in 2023. Both Grande and Slater had recently ended their marriages—Grande from Dalton Gomez and Slater from his wife, Lilly Jay, with whom he shares a child.

While the We Can’t Be Friends singer said she will not delve into specific details of their relationship, she felt compelled to defend Slater from what she called inaccurate portrayals in the media. “There couldn’t be a less accurate depiction of a human being than the one that the tabloids spread about him,” Grande explained. “No one on this earth tries harder or spreads themselves thinner to be there for the people that he loves and cares about. There is no one on this earth with a better heart, and that is something that no bullshit tabloid can rewrite in real life.”

Grande and Slater’s relationship became a tabloid obsession following Grande’s publicized divorce from Gomez. Rumors circulated about whether their romance began while both were still married. A source told PEOPLE in July 2023 that their relationship started only after their respective separations. Slater’s ex-wife, Lilly Jay, fueled further drama by speaking out to Page Six, seemingly placing the blame on Grande. “She’s the story, really,” Jay said. “Not a girl’s girl. My family is just collateral damage.”

Grande, who has long been in the public eye, expressed frustration with the ongoing scrutiny of her personal life. “Honestly, it’s taken me a lot of hard work to be able to last this long and to heal certain parts of my relationship to fame and to what I do because of these tabloids that have been trying to destroy me since I was 19 years old,” she said. “But you know what? I’m 31 years old and I’m not a perfect person, but I am definitely deeply good, and I’m proud of who I’m becoming.”

In her latest album, Eternal Sunshine, Grande addresses the relentless focus on her personal relationships, particularly in the song “Yes, And?” where she challenges critics directly, asking, “Why do you care so much whose… I ride?” Grande stars as Glinda in the upcoming Wicked films, while Slater plays Boq. The first part of the highly anticipated adaptation is set to be released on November 22, 2024.