Ethan Slater’s Wife is \201cDevastated\201d Over His New Romance with Ariana Grande
Lilly Jay recently welcomed a baby boy, and \201cthis is not the future she had in mind.\201d

News broke this week that not only was Ariana Grande splitting from her husband of two years, luxury real estate agent Dalton Gomez, but she was also already involved with someone else: Wicked costar Ethan Slater, who, coincidentally enough, is also very much married. People confirms that, though Slater and wife Lilly Jay—his college sweetheart, who he married in 2018—welcomed their first child, a boy, earlier this year, they are separated.
Wicked began shooting in the U.K. last year and was scheduled for release in November 2024, though it remains unclear if the SAG-AFTRA strike will affect that.
Slater and Jay had been together since 2012, and, per Entertainment Tonight, Jay is said to be understandably “devastated” over the entire situation. A source close to Jay told the outlet that “this is not the future she had in mind.”
“She’s doing her best to get back on her feet,” the source said. “She’s incredibly smart and driven,” adding “she is truly the best mother.”
Just last November, Slater shared an anniversary tribute to his wife on Instagram, writing “My best friend. 4 years married, 10 years together. And this is easily the best (and most *bizarre*) year yet.” Grande, interestingly enough, liked the post. (Slater’s Instagram is now set to private, done so hours after news of his new romance with Grande broke. At the time his account went private, he had 84,000 followers.)
As for Grande and Gomez, a source confirmed to the outlet that the two “ultimately were just not a good fit.” It remains unclear when Grande and Slater started their romance, but a source said “Ariana and Ethan recently started dating. They have a lot in common and have a lot of fun.”
The source adds—answering the question on everyone’s mind—“They didn’t start dating until both were broken up with their significant others.”
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Slater is mostly known as a Broadway actor. He portrayed SpongeBob SquarePants onstage and has also starred in smaller roles in shows like Law & Order and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
-
Prince William Could be Getting a New Title Very Soon Following Exciting News
The Prince of Wales would be taking on a very important role.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
The Best Spring 2025 Color Trends Are on Sale at Nordstrom
From cherry red to butter yellow, here are the delectable shades to wear this season.
By Lauren Tappan Published
-
Khloé Kardashian Finds It "Insulting" When Kendall and Kylie Are Called Her Half-Sisters
In fact, she "despises" it.
By Lia Beck Published
-
Ariana Grande Teases a New Album Drop on Oscars Red Carpet: "Keep Your Eyes Peeled"
"The next step is...It means it must come out."
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Jeff Goldblum Teases How Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo Will "Devastate" Fans in Wicked Sequel
"I don't want to be a tattletale or a spoiler."
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Taylor Swift and Cynthia Erivo Casually Recreated the "Holding Space" Meme at the Grammys
The moment played out in the background of a clip of Trevor Noah hosting the awards show.
By Kayleigh Roberts Published
-
Ethan Slater Shared a Rare Look at His and Ariana Grande’s Relationship as She Celebrated Her First-Ever Oscar Nomination
No caption needed.
By Kayleigh Roberts Published
-
Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater Are "Inseparable" and Feeling "Pure Bliss"
\201cThey have so much in common, which is something Ari never had with past relationships.\201d
By Kayleigh Roberts Published
-
Ethan Slater's Ex-Wife Dr. Lilly Jay Pens Essay About Super Public Divorce: "Season of Shock and Mourning"
All the noise around 'Wicked' has been especially hard.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
The Rumor That Ariana Grande Was Paid More Than Cynthia Erivo for 'Wicked' Has Been Shut Down
The rumor claimed that Grande was paid 15 times as much as Erivo for the movie.
By Kayleigh Roberts Published
-
Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater Steal Hearts With Adorable Moment at the 'Wicked' Premiere
The actress gushed about her boyfriend on the red carpet, too.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published