Ariana Grande has finally opened up about the public reaction to her relationship with Ethan Slater in 2023. And look, it was a ~controversial~ time, because Slater was slammed by fans for leaving his childhood sweetheart turned wife Lilly Jay and infant son Ezra. Grande also copped a fair share of heat for her role in the relationship too.
Jay also went to Page Six and said Grande was “not a girl’s girl”, claiming her family was “collateral damage”. The rumour mill went into overdrive, and the timing was verrrry murky. Grande had apparently called it quits from her husband at the time, Dalton Gomez, months prior to getting with Slater on the set of Wicked.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Grande slammed vicious reports about her relationship with Slater and “disputed specific allegations”, but wouldn’t go into the nitty-gritty details.
“There couldn’t be a less accurate depiction of a human being than the one that the tabloids spread about [Slater],” she said. “The most disappointing part was to see so many people believe the worst version of it… that was definitely a tough ride.”
She’s no stranger to tabloid reporting, seeing as she’s been in the industry since age 15. Still, it doesn’t make it hurt any less.
“It definitely doesn’t get any easier, seeing some of the negativity that was birthed by disreputable tabloids,” she added.
“Of course, I went through a lot of life changes during the filming of this movie. A lot of people that were working on it did. We were away for two years. So, of course, I understand why it was a field day for the tabloids to sort of create something that paid their bills.”
Instead of clearing up the rumours around their relationship (come on Ari, all you gotta do is give us the dates, and we’ll back you!), she talked up her new beau.
“No one on this earth tries harder or spreads themselves thinner to be there for the people that he loves and cares about. There is no one on this earth with a better heart, and that is something that no bullshit tabloid can rewrite in real life,” she said.
“I’m 31 years old and I’m not a perfect person, but I am definitely deeply good, and I’m proud of who I’m becoming. I will never let disreputable evil tabloids ruin my life or my perception of what is real and good.”
Sounds like she’s truly smitten with Spongebob. It’ll be interesting to see how the pair interact during the Wicked press tour. Don’t Worry Darling round two? I’m here for it!
Lead image: Getty
