It’s over for Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater.
According to a brand-new report from TMZ on Monday, the duo has broken up — and they’ve actually been split up for a few months now.
Whoa!
And while the breakup may come as a surprise to fans who followed every twist and turn of their headline-making romance, insiders claim there is no scandal, no explosive fight, and no dramatic Hollywood showdown behind the split. Which, uh, okay…
Anyway, sources close to the former couple who spoke to TMZ on Monday claim the breakup happened several months ago (!!!) and was handled with a great deal of care and consideration. If these insiders are to be believed, the two ultimately decided they were better off ending the romantic side of their relationship — but they still have a tremendous amount of respect for each other.
Related: Cynthia Erivo Addresses Rumor She And Ariana Aren’t ‘Actually Friends’!
Of course, the pair first grew close while working together on the movie adaptation of Wicked. Their relationship quickly became one of the most talked-about celebrity stories of 2023 after news emerged that both Ariana and Ethan had separated from their respective spouses. The intense public attention that followed put their romance under a microscope from the very beginning.
Despite the scrutiny, Ariana and Ethan appeared determined to make things work. They were spotted together on numerous outings over the past couple years, from theme park adventures to romantic dinners. As their relationship progressed, reports suggested they were spending nearly all of their free time together and had become a very serious couple. That’s why this breakup may leave some fans stunned!
Interestingly, sources also pushed back against speculation that Ariana’s latest music was inspired by the end of the relationship. With a superstar known for turning personal experiences into chart-topping songs, many listeners may be tempted to search for clues and hidden messages, but insiders told the news outlet that her newest material is NOT about Ethan and was not created as a response to the split.
Hmmm…
Meanwhile, some eagle-eyed fans had already started wondering whether something was up in recent days. After all, Ethan was notably absent as Ariana launched her Eternal Sunshine tour over the weekend, sparking quiet questions among followers. At the time, few people connected the dots.
For now, it appears both stars are focused on moving forward professionally while maintaining a friendly relationship behind the scenes. Reactions to the breakup, y’all?? Share ’em in the comments (below)…
[Image via MEGA/WENN]
