Ethan Slater and Ariana Grande have only been seen out and about a handful of times in the past six months. They got together in 2023, while filming the Wicked movies, and their affair destroyed both of their marriages. During Wicked’s promotion last year and the awards season earlier this year, Ethan and Ariana were often together at events, although they studiously avoided walking red carpets together. It felt like they were making a near-constant effort to have a light footprint because, well, both of them knew their relationship was not built to last. Ariana spends at most two years with a guy, and she’s also a serial cheater/other woman. Well, it’s looking more and more like Ari and Spongebob have been winding down their relationship in recent months. From the Daily Mail:

‘Ariana and Ethan have been on and off for most of this year,’ an insider told us. ‘He chose not to attend the MTV VMAs with her because they’d had an argument just days before. But they made up soon after. They’ve both been running hot and cold with each other.’

Critics have been feeding on signs their romance is not built to last and have long speculated that they have in fact silently split. Many have suggested they will not make it known until after Wicked 2 premieres and the hype dies down so as not to overshadow the release and the run up to the 2026 awards season.

Such predictions were further fueled earlier this month when a blind item claimed ‘Spongebob will not be allowed to do solo press for the upcoming movie. He will be allowed to do group events.’ It went on to claim that in ‘protest’ the man in question was planning to bring his ex. Another blind claimed an unnamed star has ‘given strict instructions that no one can ask about her significant other’ during interviews.

‘What they have going is more than a little toxic but they’re keeping it together for now,’ our insider said. ‘At least until after Wicked: For Good opens. After that it’s doubtful they’ll stay together. The relationship is unhealthy for both. At one time they discussed marriage but that is no longer on the table. They fell head over heels in love when they first hooked up. But those days are over.’

Another insider echoed: ‘The infatuation has worn off, some of the novelty. So they’re having to decide what’s left. Maybe she sees something that goes beyond the crush. But if there’s nothing more than what there was, it won’t last.’

[From The Daily Mail]

So, they’re saying that Ethan is possibly back with his ex-wife Dr. Lilly Jay? Honestly, I hope that’s not the case because Dr. Jay is amazing and she deserves a lot better. But yes, I believe everything else in this report. I think Ari and Ethan have been on-and-off this year. I believe they’ve mostly been “off” in recent months, and I believe they’re holding off on any breakup announcements until after they finish promoting Wicked – For Good. It’s about to get awkward AF on the promotional trail too. But whatever. Everyone knew this would happen. My question: do you think Ari already has a jumpoff? Because that’s her M.O.

Photos courtesy of Backgrid, Cover Images, Dr. Jay’s Instagram.