‘He is a smitten fan’: Expert deciphers Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater’s Oscars body language

Ethan Slater supported his girlfriend Ariana Grande at the Oscars this weekend, but while the relationship seems to be somewhat stable on the outside, a body language expert has said he behaves more like a “smitten fan.”

Ariana and Ethan first met on the set of Wicked when he was still with the mother of his child, Lilly Jay. After their marriage dissolved Ariana and Ethan got together but people questioned the timeline of the relationship as some dubbed her “homewrecker” – something all parties have denied.

We haven’t really gained an insight into the relationship, but now body language expert Patti Wood has seemingly added to speculation with her insight into the couple’s real feelings towards each other.

A video shared on Twitter showed Ariana using her mum as a human shield

Ariana grande , Ethan Slater and their mother @joangrande at the #Oscars. #awardsseason . pic.twitter.com/nYvCPc3S2U

— @charme.da.ariana (@charmedaariana) March 3, 2025

During the Academy Awards on Sunday, nominee Ariana appeared on the red carpet with her boyfriend Ethan and her everso-glamorous mum Joan. In clips shared on Twitter, people dubbed the interactions “awkward” as Ariana dodged her boyfriend’s affections.

“She clearly wants out of an intimate shot of the two of them,” body language expert Patti Wood told the MailOnline. “She steps back so they are not side by side and reaches out to grab her mother’s arm to seek her protection, making her look like a little girl. She even brings her right hand and arm, which are holding her purse, behind her!”

In the clip, it looked like Ariana attempted to move Joan in between her and Ethan. Unfortunately, Ethan didn’t pick up on the cues and continued to talk to her.

“He is ignoring her body language, but clearly because he is a smitten fan,” Patti Wood added.

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The body language expert further argued that Ariana was attempting to give herself breathing room with her pink Schiaparelli ballgown.

ariana grande and ethan slater at the #oscars 🤍 pic.twitter.com/E0X96nef7N

— Ariana Grande Today ☼ (@ArianaToday) March 3, 2025

“I was already intrigued by her dress that sticks out on all sides, giving her pelvis (the sexual part of the anatomy) protection and creating a barrier for anyone to get too close to her,” she told the publication.

Despite the expert’s assumptions, Ariana and Ethan were pictured together for the rest of the evening, exchanging PDAs and whispering to one another.

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Featured image credit: John Salangsang/Shutterstock for Audi