Ethan Slater told wife about Ariana Grande romance before news broke

2023-07-26

Ariana Grande’s new beau Ethan Slater told wife Lilly Jay about romance with singer ‘days before the news broke’: ‘Lilly never saw it coming!’

‘Ethan sat Lilly down a few days before the news broke about him and Ariana and said that he wanted a divorce. Lilly never saw it coming!’ a source told Us Weekly
Earlier this week it was revealed that Grande, 30, is now dating her Wicked co-star, 31, and that his wife Lilly was ‘completely blindsided’ by the relationship
Ethan and Lilly, who have been married for five years and were high school sweethearts, welcomed their first child late last year

Ethan Slater told wife Lilly Jay about his romance with Ariana Grande shortly before the news was made public, it has been claimed.

Earlier this week it was revealed that Grande, 30, is now dating her Wicked co-star, 31, and that his wife Lilly was ‘completely blindsided’ by the relationship, just months after they welcomed a child together.

Now a source has claimed that Ethan informed Lilly about his romance with Grande — whose split from her husband Dalton Gomez was announced last week — and asked for a divorce ‘a few days before the news broke’ according to Us Weekly.

‘Ethan sat Lilly down a few days before the news broke about him and Ariana and said that he wanted a divorce. Lilly never saw it coming!’

Another insider close to the ‘break up with your girlfriend, i’m bored’ singer denied the claims while a third insider said Grande and Slater ‘were separated when they started dating and the relationship is recent.’

The latest: Ethan Slater told wife Lilly Jay about his romance with Ariana Grande shortly before the news was made public, it has been claimed; They are pictured 2018

Blindsided: Earlier this week it was revealed that Grande, 30, is now dating her Wicked co-star, 31, and that his wife was ‘completely blindsided’ by his relationship with Ariana, just months after they welcomed a child together

‘It’s understandable that its difficult to see an ex move on, especially in such a public way, and they are trying to be as respectful as possible,’ the third source went on.

The insider also added that the pair weren’t shy in front of the cast and crew, after connecting on set of the upcoming Wicked movie.

‘Ariana and Ethan weren’t careful. They’d hold hands on set in between takes. They were sloppy and not hiding it.’

Lilly has been married to the actor — who shared a sweet Instagram post dedicated to her in May — for five years as they were high school sweethearts.

Meanwhile Slater’s SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical co-star Lilli Cooper revealed she didn’t know about the romance until the news was made public.

‘I was surprised,’ she told Page Six on Monday, adding, ‘I haven’t spoken to him in a while. It’s an interesting coupling, for sure, unexpected.’

Cooper played Sandy Cheeks opposite Slater’s SpongeBob in the 2016 and 2017 Chicago and New York productions of the musical.

Last week it was revealed that Slater’s wife has been having a tough time dealing with the news of the romance.

The insider explained: ‘It’s horrible. They were high school sweethearts. They have a baby! She’s a wreck.’

It is interesting to note that Ethan had praised his estranged wife in a sweet Instagram post just two months before his apparent new romance with the singer was revealed.

Never saw it coming: ‘Ethan sat Lilly down a few days before the news broke about him and Ariana and said that he wanted a divorce. Lilly never saw it coming!’ a source told Us Weekly

Not shy: The insider also added that the pair weren’t shy in front of the cast and crew: ‘Ariana and Ethan weren’t careful. They’d hold hands on set in between takes. They were sloppy and not hiding it’

‘Unexpected’: Meanwhile Slater’s SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical co-star Lilli Cooper said she didn’t know about the romance: ‘It’s an interesting coupling, for sure, unexpected’ she told Page Six; He is pictured on opening night of SpongeBob in NY in 2017

Ethan shared the post on May 14 — Mother’s Day — in which he sang his wife Lilly Jay’s praises just two months before he was reported to be dating the Dangerous Woman superstar.

In his Mother’s Day post, Ethan also revealed that the couple’s first child, who was born late last year, was a boy.

‘Happy first Mother’s Day to the most loving caring and wonderful mom/person in the world,’ he wrote, signing it ‘- from me and this little guy.’

The post shared few details about Ethan’s marriage or his son, and instead he posted an out-of-focus shot of the little boy from behind, with his much clearer shadow projected on a wall in front of him.

A second photo showed an adults hand — presumably Ethan’s — while feeding the little boy, whose hand was covered with food.

It’s unclear from the post, which got a like from Ariana, if Ethan and Lilly were still together at that time.

The couple, who were high school classmates, tied the knot back in 2018.

In January of this year, Ethan revealed his wife Lilly had welcomed a child together by posting a photo of a positive pregnancy test and a ‘Wicked Cute’ baby’s onesie, and he commented, ‘Super vague post, but we have a baby now.’

Another photo in the post showed the shadow of one of the parents pushing a stroller, which fit in with the vague theme and his desire to share few details about his child.

Ethan began dating Ariana ‘several months ago’ while they were still filming Wicked, sources claimed to TMZ on Thursday.

Sex reveal: In his Mother’s Day post, Ethan revealed that the couple’s first child, who was born late last year, was a boy

Sweet: ‘Happy first Mother’s Day to the most loving caring and wonderful mom/person in the world,’ he wrote, signing it ‘- from me and this little guy.’ It’s unclear from the post, which got a like from Ariana, if Ethan and Lilly were still together at that time

Growing family: In January of this year, Ethan revealed his wife Lilly had welcomed a child together by posting a photo of a positive pregnancy test and a ‘Wicked Cute’ baby’s onesie, and he commented, ‘Super vague post, but we have a baby now’

They go way back: The couple married in 2018 after being high school classmates

Celebration: In November, Ethan celebrated his fourth wedding anniversary on Instagram, where called called his wife, ‘My best friend.’ He added, ‘4 years married, 10 years together.’

Ariana reportedly ended things with her husband Dalton Gomez in January of this year.

DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for Ariana and Ethan for comment.

TMZ’s sources also claimed that Ethan did not start dating Ariana until after he and Lilly had separated.

In November, Ethan celebrated his fourth wedding anniversary on Instagram, where called called his wife, ‘My best friend.’

He added, ‘4 years married, 10 years together.’

After news of the relationship broke, the Broadway star set his Instagram account — which the God Is A Woman singer followers — to private.

Ethan costars with Ariana in Wicked as Boq, a munchkin who falls in love with her character Glinda, though she goes by Galinda earlier in the story.

However, when she spurns his advances, he ends up with Nessarose, the sister of the green-skinned protagonist Elphaba, played by Cynthia Erivo.

Over: The news of Ariana’s romance comes on the heels of her split from husband Dalton Gomez, 27. The pair have been separated since January 2023

Last week it was reported that Grande’s estranged husband wanted to make it work but she had ‘moved on’ amid her new romance.

The 27-year-old real estate agent had not given up hope of a reconciliation according to a People report from Friday.

A source told the weekly: ‘Dalton is very religious and was committed to making it work, but Ariana had moved on.’

Dalton and Ariana’s split after a two-year marriage was announced earlier this year, although they are said to have split in January.

Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez romance timeline: A look back at their whirlwind romance amid their split after two years of marriage

Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez are headed for divorce and have been reportedly separated since January 2023 – after two years of marriage.

A spokesperson confirmed the news to DailyMail.com on Monday.

Ariana, 30, and Dalton, 27, had a whirlwind romance during the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown, getting engaged that same year and tying the knot in 2021.

Ariana oftentimes shared cuddled up snaps of the two of them to her Instagram, professing her love to her realtor husband.

The star has been busy filming Wicked in London – making time for Wimbledon on Sunday – where the star was seen ring-less in the crowd, sparking rumors of a rocky patch.

‘Ariana and Dalton have nothing but respect for one another. They’re still friends and want to remain that way moving forward. There was no cheating, no resentment between them, the marriage just simply didn’t work out. These things happen,’ a source close to the couple told DailyMail.com.

As Ariana and Dalton go their separate ways after two years of marriage – Dailymail.com looks back at their whirlwind romance….

The way they were: Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez are headed for divorce and have been reportedly separated since January 2023 – after two years of marriage

FEBRUARY 2020 – FIRST PUBLIC SIGHTING ONE MONTH AFTER THEY STARTED DATING

Ariana and Dalton were first seen kissing at Bar Louie in Northridge, California, TMZ reported at the time.

His identity was unknown.

They were seen in a booth at the bar sharing a number of kisses during the 1 am visit.

The duo were with pals, and sat at the bar booth for only thirty minutes.

MARCH 2020 – HIS IDENTITY IS REVEALED

In late March 2020, his identity was revealed by TMZ.

Dalton is a high-end realtor working for real estate group Aaron Kirkman in Los Angeles.

Details of their relationship surfaced – with the start of their relationship beginning in January 2020, per People, as they confirmed their romance began two months ago, via their insiders.

The pair first met when Grande was looking for another home through his luxury real estate firm and her team happened to enlist his help in particular.

‘Ariana was looking for a home outside of Los Angeles to be her getaway house, and her team found Dalton to help,’ a source told Us Weekly.

‘When she saw him, she immediately thought he was cute and very good-looking, and she asked her team to set up an in-person meeting with him. Ariana fell very hard for Dalton shortly after they met.’

During the Covid-19 lockdown, Ariana and Dalton quarantined together at her home in LA.

‘Ariana is stay at home with friends. She is serious about self-distancing and has been with the same group of people for days. One of the people she is with right now is Dalton- they have been hanging out for a couple of months. Ariana doesn’t want to do another public relationship, so she is tryin to keep this one quiet, but she seems very happy with Dalton,’ People’s source said.

Meet Dalton: Dalton pictured on Instagram in 2019

MAY 2020 – DALTON APPEARS IN HER MUSIC VIDEO WITH JUSTIN BIEBER FOR STUCK WITH U

Ariana and Dalton appeared briefly in the music video for her duet with Justin Bieber – called Stuck With U.

The music video featured Justin and Hailey Bieber, as well as fans and other celebrities – like Gwyneth Paltrow and Brad Falchuk, Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, Stephen and Ayesha Curry – plus sisters Kendall and Kylie Jenner..

They were seen dancing, hugging and also practicing social distancing in the video.

Ariana appeared with Dalton in the video, as they danced and smiled at each other.

It’s official: Ariana also used the star-studded video’s premiere to confirm her budding relationship with Los Angeles realtor Dalton Gomez

JUNE 2020 – ARIANA GOES INSTAGRAM OFFICIAL WITH DALTON AHEAD OF HER 27TH BIRTHDAY

Ariana cuddled up with her boyfriend Dalton Gomez in a cute photo shared late Thursday night ahead of her 27th birthday – going Instagram official in the process.

The pop singer also included a hodgepodge of photos and videos from her quarantine at her Beverly Hills home.

She captioned the photos, ‘almost 27,’ and had comments turned off, preventing anyone from send her birthday wishes.

Ariana’s photo with Dalton featured the high-end real estate agent wrapping his arm around the singer, who had her hand partially obscuring her face.

Dalton shared a photo on his Instagram of him and Ariana about to kiss – in honor of her birthday.

‘happy birthday to the best person in this world,’ he captioned a photo of the two leaning in for a cute kiss.

AUGUST 2020 – ARIANA CELEBRATES DALTON’S BEITHDAY WITH SWEET TRIBUTE ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Ariana kicked her relationship with Dalton up a notch as she helped him celebrate his birthday.

The pop star shared a bevy of sweet photos and videos featuring the two that showed how inseparable they are.

Ariana began with an underlit video of her with Dalton wrapping his arms around her from behind.

The couple swayed to the strains of L-O-V-E while the young real estate agent leaned in for a sweet kiss on the cheek as she flashed an angelic smile.

‘hbd to my baby my best friend my fav part of all the days,’ she wrote in the caption, adding, ‘i love u’ and a smiley face.

Loved-up couple: Ariana Grande, 27, helped her boyfriend Dalton Gomez celebrate his own birthday with sweet videos and photos of the two posted to Instagram

DECEMBER 20, 2020 – ARIANA AND DALTON ANNOUNCE ENGAGEMENT

Ariana announced that she is engaged to Dalton Gomez.

The pop star shared a photo of a stunning diamond ring on her left finger as she wrote, ‘forever n then some,’ along with some loved-up snaps.

The engagement comes just after nearly a year of dating her real estate beau.

The asymmetrical oval shaped diamond featured a pearl next to it on a simple platinum band. In 2014 Grande tweeted about a pearl ring that had sentimental value relative to her grandpa, which led her fans to believe the pearl on her current ring may have been repurposed, though it is unconfirmed.

‘Nonna had a ring made for me w/ the pearl from grandpa’s tie pin. she says he told her in a dream it’d protect me <3’.

A source from Grande’s camp told People, ‘They couldn’t be happier, they’re just so excited. This is a happy time for them, both sets of parents are thrilled.’

Grande has not been shy on social media about her love for her now fiance as she has called him her ‘best friend,’ and ‘favorite part of all the days.’

Bling ring: The couple got engaged in December (Grande’s sparkler pictured)

MAY 2021 – ARIANA AND DALTON GET MARRIED IN INTIMATE CEREMONY AT HER MONTECITO HOME

Ariana secretly married her fiancé Dalton Gomez.

The 27-year-old singer is said to have tied the knot with the real estate agent, 25, over the weekend at her $6.75m home in Montecito, California.

A representative for the singer confirmed to PEOPLE on Monday night: ‘They got married. It was tiny and intimate – less than 20 people. The room was so happy and full of love. The couple and both families couldn’t be happier.’

Despite the scaled-down celebrations, Ariana and Dalton – a real estate agent – are said to have exchanged the traditional ‘I dos’, TMZ also reports.

A source close to the Grammy winner confirmed to the outlet that the secret ceremony took place at her California home where her neighbours include the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Ariana is said to have bought Ellen’s former home, a unique 5,500-square-foot Tudor-style mansion which she paid $6.75 million for last August.

Love: Ariana secretly married her fiancé Dalton Gomez

JULY 2021 – NEWLYWEDS ENJOY HONEYMOON TO AMSTERDAM

Ariana gave her more than 250 million Instagram followers a first look at her honeymoon with Dalton in Amsterdam.

The newlyweds looked happy in love as they went sightseeing in Netherlands’ capital, which is famous for its canals, artistic heritage and beautiful houses.

In addition to posting a few scenic shots around the city, she shared a snap of herself gazing at Dalton as they sat in a pair of giant wooden shoes.

NOVEMBER 2021 – LOVEBIRDS ENJOY THANKSGIVING WITH HER FAMILY

They celebrated Thanksgiving with her family and her co-stars from The Voice.

The singer shared a string of snaps and videos from the festivities including one of her and Dalton with their pet dog Toulouse.

Ariana shyly hid her face in the pooch’s fur as Dalton laughed, her hair pulled up in its signature ponytail with a sweet ribbon tied in a bow.

AUGUST 7, 2022 – ARIANA SHUTS DOWN SPLIT RUMORS AFTER SHE DOESN’T WEAR HER RING

In August 2022, Ariana shared a makeup tutorial and wasn’t wearing her ring – she shut down any rumors by revealing that her ring was getting cleaned.

‘I’m not wearing my wedding ring, it’s getting cleaned. I’m not getting a divorce before you start, don’t,’ she said at the time.

No problem: In August 2022, Ariana shared a makeup tutorial and wasn’t wearing her ring – she shut down any rumors by revealing that her ring was getting cleaned

FEBRUARY 2023 – DALTON SHARES SWEET VALENTINE’S DAY POST

Dalton posted an Instagram story on Valentine’s Day 2023 of them cuddling together – which she re-posted on her stories.

He had captioned the image ‘My forever valentine,’ and she re-posted it with her own comment – ‘I love you’ and a heart.

MAY 15, 2023 – ARIANA GUSHES ABOUT DALTON AS SHE CELEBRATES TWO YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

In May 2023, Ariana celebrated her two-year wedding anniversary on Instagram – with a photo from her wedding day.

The photo, shared on her Instagram stories two months ago, feature Ariana and Dalton kissing on their wedding day.

She captioned the photo ‘2’ to signify two years of marriage, adding a heart and ‘3.5 years together.’

She also added: ‘I love him so.’

Anniversary: Ariana Grande celebrated her two-year wedding anniversary with a sweet snap from her wedding day

JULY 17, 2023 – ARIANA AND DALTON SPLIT – AND HEADED FOR DIVORCE

Ariana and husband Dalton have split, and have been separated since January 2023.

The couple are heading for divorce, the insider said as it emerged Ariana had deleted all of the romantic photos of her May 2021 wedding from Instagram.

A spokesperson for Ariana confirmed the news to DailyMail.com.

Ariana, 30, was seen ring-less at Wimbledon over the weekend; she has not been seen wearing her ring for some time now.

Their insider claimed that the couple tried to reconcile two months ago but it ‘failed.’ It was also claimed Gomez had flown to London in January in a last ditch effort to save the pair’s marriage – visiting his wife on the set of Wicked but it ‘didn’t work out’, reports PageSix. The pair were seen having crepes together in the UK capital.

‘Ariana and Dalton have been having some issues for months now,’ Us Weekly’s source said on Monday.

In mid-May 2021, Ariana and Dalton, a 27-year-old luxury realtor, tied the knot at her $6.75 million Montecito home.

Ariana has been busy filming the musical Wicked across the UK since December 2022.

The source reported that the Ariana and Dalton had been having ‘problem’s before she began filming.

No ring: Ariana, 30, was seen ring-less at Wimbledon over the weekend; she has not been seen wearing her ring for some time now; seen on July 16, 2023 at Wimbledon in London chatting with actor Jonathan Bailey

The actress and the realtor still ‘talk’ on the phone regularly and ‘remain friends.’

The Us Weekly insider ‘were having issues before she left for Wicked filming [in London] that they couldn’t resolve, and the distance did not help. They haven’t been speaking and are speaking, and a divorce is likely.’

Another insider from the outlet noted that their marriage was ‘thriving’ until earlier this year: ‘Things had been going really well for Ariana and Dalton since they got married. But unfortunately, they hit a rough patch a few months ago and haven’t been able to recover.’

Page Six also reported their ‘split,’ with their source revealing: ‘They came to the decision together. They came to the decision together. They were having problems before January, but they want to remain best friends.’

He tried to ‘save’ their marriage with a trip to visit her on the set of Wicked but the source said ‘it didn’t work out.’

‘They’ve been really good friends throughout the entire process and their friends and families have been trying to protect them,’ the source said.

Happier times: The Us Weekly insider ‘were having issues before she left for Wicked filming [in London] that they couldn’t resolve, and the distance did not help. They haven’t been speaking and are speaking, and a divorce is likely’

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