Although it hasn't always been popular with the public, Ariana Grande's relationship with her “Wicked” co-star Ethan Slater is now Instagram official.
The “Eternal Sunshine” singer celebrated the upcoming release of the Jon M. Chu-directed musical film on Monday with a photo carousel since its premiere in Australia. Among them is a candid photo of Slater, who plays Munchkinland's Boq, carrying the train of Grande's Glinda-inspired Vivienne Westwood dress as she descends the steps of Sydney's State Theatre. (Slater shared the same photo on your account.)
Slater's appearance at Sunday's premiere in red. (yellow) The carpet also took social media by storm after a fan filmed the Tony Award nominee accepting a friendship bracelet on Grande's behalf.
“Is it possible for you to give this to Ari for me?” the fan asks in the video, to which Slater replies, “I'm pretty sure he'll come if you want.” [to give it to her]But I can do that.” He also reassured the fan by saying, “I'm sure she'll love it.”
Footage of the interaction went viral shortly after it was shared again by a “Wicked” fan accountwhose owner wrote: “Ethan Slater seems like the kindest and most genuine person. “The world owes him an apology.”
Slater and Grande, who met on the set of “Wicked,” came under scrutiny when they first sparked dating rumors in 2023, following their respective (and highly publicized) splits from previous partners. At the time of matching divorce filingssaid Slater's ex-wife, singer Lilly Jay, with whom he shares a 2-year-old son. Page six“My family is collateral damage.”
Since then, the couple has remained silent about their romance. But that changed in September, when Grande addressed the media hype surrounding her relationship with Slater in a vanity fair cover story.
While she declined to delve into “certain details,” the Grammy-winning singer said, “There's definitely nothing easier about seeing some of the negativity that came from disreputable tabloids.”
She went on to say that like many other “Wicked” cast members, she “went through a lot of changes in her life while filming this movie.”
“The most disappointing part,” Grande said, “was seeing so many people believe the worst version. …There could not be a less accurate representation of a human being than the one disseminated by the tabloids. [Slater]. “No one on this earth tries harder or goes harder to be there for the people they love and care about.”
Slater echoed Grande's comments in his October GQ cover story, saying the blowback was difficult to handle.
“There were a lot of big changes in private life that were really happening,” he said, “so it's really hard to see people who don't know anything about what's going on commenting and speculating about it, and then misunderstanding things.” people you love.”
“But of course,” he admitted, “it was an incredible year and a really beautiful thing, and I'm very excited.”
Slater added that he's “really proud of Ari and the work he's done” on “Wicked.”
“She's poured herself into this,” he said, “and I'm so excited to be there for the next step when the world can see what a wonderful thing she did.”
The Journey Through Oz press tour will continue to four more cities around the world, with stops scheduled in Los Angeles, Mexico City, New York and London before “Wicked” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22. .
And when the credits roll, Grande will appear under her full name, Ariana Grande-Butera, which incorporates the last names of her mother, Joan Grande, and her father, Edward Butera.
“Technically, it's little Ari's name,” he said, explaining the decision in a recent interview with an Australian radio station. Reaches 104.7 Canberra. “I feel like I came home in a lot of ways because of what I learned from Glinda, from Elphaba, and you know, that was my name when I went to see the show when I was 10, and it felt like a really lovely way to honor that”.
