Honestly, trying to track the exact day Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater became "Ari and Ethan" is kinda like trying to solve a puzzle where half the pieces are under a couch and the other half are being guarded by high-priced publicists.
The short answer? They’ve been officially together for about two and a half years, depending on how you define "together." But the road to 2026 hasn't been simple.
Most of us first heard the news in July 2023. That was the summer the internet basically imploded. One minute Ariana is at Wimbledon without her wedding ring, and the next, sources are telling People and TMZ she’s dating her Wicked co-star. But if you’ve been following the breadcrumbs, you know the story actually starts back in December 2022 on a soundstage in London.
The Wicked Timeline (and the Drama That Came With It)
They met while filming the first Wicked movie. She was Glinda, he was Boq.
By March 2023, rumors were already flying that they were "all over each other" at an Oscars party for Michelle Yeoh. This is where things get messy and why people still argue about the "how long" part. At that time, Ariana was still legally married to Dalton Gomez, and Ethan was with his high school sweetheart and wife, Lilly Jay. They even had a newborn baby.
Naturally, the "timeline" became a massive talking point. Ariana’s team has always insisted that they didn't start dating until after they both separated from their spouses.
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Here is the breakdown of those early days:
- January 2023: Ariana and Dalton Gomez reportedly split (though she still posted an anniversary tribute in May).
- May 2023: Ethan posts a Mother's Day tribute to his wife, Lilly.
- July 17, 2023: News breaks that Ariana and Dalton are done.
- July 20, 2023: The world finds out about Ariana and Ethan.
- July 26, 2023: Ethan officially files for divorce.
So, if we’re counting from the moment they went public, they’ve been a thing since July 2023. If you believe the "onset" rumors, you could argue it's been since the spring of 2023.
Moving in and Moving On
By October 2023, they were already living together in New York City. Things moved fast. Like, "meeting the parents" fast. Ariana was spotted at dinner with Ethan and her dad, Ed Butera, just before Christmas that year.
2024 was the year they stopped hiding. We saw them at the Stanley Cup Finals in Florida and eventually, they made it "Instagram official" in November 2024. Ethan was pictured holding the train of her gown at a premiere. It was a whole vibe.
Where They Stand in 2026
Now that we’re into 2026, the couple has definitely settled into a "private but not secret" rhythm.
Recently, there was some chatter because Ethan wasn't by her side at the 2026 Golden Globes or the Critics Choice Awards. People immediately thought: Breakup? But insiders have been quick to shut that down. Apparently, they made a conscious choice to keep the focus on their work for the Wicked: For Good press tour rather than their romance.
They’re still very much a thing.
In fact, if you caught Ariana’s interview on the Smartless podcast in early 2026, she actually called them a "perfect couple" (well, she agreed with the host when he said it). She’s also been defending him more openly. In Vanity Fair, she basically called out the tabloids for the "hellish" experience of watching people misunderstand the person she loves.
Is an Engagement Next?
The rumors right now? They are louder than ever.
Some sources are claiming Ariana is "ready to take the next step" and is waiting for a ring. Given her history of whirlwind romances—remember the Pete Davidson era?—people are surprised they’ve made it past the two-year mark without an engagement. But after two very public, very messy divorces (Ethan’s was finalized in September 2024), they seem to be taking their time.
There's even talk of them eloping. No big wedding, just a private ceremony and a honeymoon.
What to watch for next:
- Social Media Tags: Look for Ethan’s "reposts" of Ariana’s content—it’s how they signal they’re still good without saying a word.
- The "Ring" Watch: Keep an eye on her left hand during any upcoming award show appearances.
- The Wicked Sequel: As the press tour for the second film wraps up, expect them to be spotted on more "normal" dates in NYC.
If you're wondering how long they've been together, the safest bet is 30 months and counting. They survived the initial scandal, the "not a girl's girl" comments from Ethan's ex, and a year of intense filming. Whatever you think about how it started, they seem to be one of the more stable couples in Hollywood right now.
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To stay updated on their latest public appearances, you can follow the official Wicked movie social channels or check out Ariana's personal Instagram for those rare, blurry "photo dump" cameos of Ethan.