Ariana Grande and Boyfriend Ethan Slater Are a Match Made in Oz as They Cuddle Up at the 2025 Critics Choice Awards

Mar. 15, 2025

Ethan Slater and Ariana Grande at the 2025 Critics Choice Awards on Feb. 7.Photo:Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty

Ariana GrandeandEthan Slaterare a match made in Oz!

Inside the Los Angeles-based event, Grande could be seen getting close to Slater, cuddling up to him at one point as they posed for a photograph at their table, and then staying close to theBroadway vetas they engaged in conversation in another snapshot.

Grande and Slater’s relationship was even the subject of one of hostChelsea Handler’s jokes during heropening monologueat the annual awards show.

While noting how many child stars, including Grande,Miley CyrusandSelena Gomez, were making new strides in their career, Handler, 49, quipped, “And now, Ariana has even found love with a munchkin. That’s good news, everybody!”

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Ethan Slater and Ariana Grande at the 2025 Critics Choice Awards on Feb. 7.Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty

Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty

Grande, who is also nominated for anAcademy Award,first metSlater when they began filming the two-partWickedfilm adaptation in London in late 2022.

PEOPLE firstconfirmed their relationshipin July 2023, after theEternal Sunshinemusician’sseparationfrom her then-husband,Dalton Gomez, andSlater’s separationfrom his then-wife,Lilly Jay.

“[Ariana] loves being with [Ethan],” a sourcetold PEOPLEin December 2023. “It’s a very normal relationship.”

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During a Feb. 3 episode of theSmartLesspodcast, Grande made a rare comment about Slater when she and hostSean Hayesreminisced on their time sharing a hair and makeup trailer while performing in 2016’sHairspray Live!.

As Hayes, 54, shouted out Slater as “a very good friend of mine,” Grande replied, “Yes, he loves you so much,” to which theWill & Gracealum responded, “I love him too. Ethan Slater. He’s one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet in your life. He didGood Night, Oscarwith me in Chicago. And then he was onWickedand now you guys are dating, and I love that because you guys make a perfect couple.”

source: people.com