Ethan Slater is a Broadway actor and singer who gained national attention through stage and screen roles, as well as his relationship with Ariana Grande. Born on June 2, 1992, in Washington, D.C., Slater studied drama at Vassar College before building a career in musical theater. He first rose to prominence playing the title role in the Broadway production of SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical, a performance that earned him a Tony Award nomination in 2018 and a Drama Desk Award.
Slater later joined the cast of the Wicked film adaptation, where he portrayed Boq alongside Ariana Grande, who played Glinda. Their on-screen collaboration drew widespread public interest after reports surfaced in July 2023 that the two were dating. The relationship came shortly after Grande’s split from Dalton Gomez and around the time Slater filed for divorce from his wife, Lilly Jay.
Before his high-profile relationship with Grande, Slater had been married to his high school sweetheart, Lilly Jay, in November 2018. The couple appeared to share a close bond, with Slater previously posting anniversary messages celebrating their marriage. In 2022, Slater announced that he and Jay had welcomed their first child, a son. He later honored her on Mother’s Day in a social media post, describing her as caring and loving.
Beyond Broadway, Slater has also appeared on television in a number of notable productions. His screen credits include guest roles in Law & Order: SVU, Fosse/Verdon and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, adding to a resume that spans theater, television and film. His career has made him a recognizable name in entertainment circles, especially following his casting in Wicked and the attention surrounding his personal life.
Slater’s rise reflects a path from stage success to broader public visibility. While he built his reputation through live theater, including award-recognized work in a beloved Broadway musical, his recent connection to one of pop music’s biggest stars has brought even greater scrutiny to his background and career.
