In light of Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater’s breakup, the controversy surrounding the start of their relationship has been circulating – including the moment she expressed “insatiable frustration” towards the backlash. Although they’re yet to confirm it, sources close to the pair told TMZ this week that they decided to end their romance and remain friends, while also suggesting that Ariana’s new studio album ‘petal’ is not at all inspired by their relationship or breakup. Since then, netizens have been unpacking the details at the beginning of their relationship, having first met while working on the first Wicked film. At that time, Ariana was married to real estate agent Dalton Gomez, while Ethan was married to therapist Lilly Jay. In July 2023, Ethan separated from his spouse, and news emerged that Ariana had also split from Dalton months prior. Shortly after, they were spotted out and about together, and it was later confirmed that they were in a relationship. Credit: Instagram/Ethan Slater The backlash was loud, particularly towards Ethan who left his high school sweetheart, Dr. Lilly James, when their firstborn child was less than a year old. She went on to write a public essay for The Cut. Other details about this time have resurfaced, including a series of old posts Ariana liked that celebrated Ethan and Jay’s relationship and their baby. Now, a new moment is doing the rounds: When Ariana publicly spoke about the backlash towards her and Ethan. “Remember how Ariana said it was inexplicably inexplicable or something about how everyone hated on Ethan,” wrote one Redditor. “Well now Lilly Jay is probably unsurprisingly unsurprised that their brief little fling is over.” The comments they are referring to come from Ariana’s appearance on The Zach Sang Show in February 2024, where she expressed frustration over the public scrutiny she and Ethan faced. @popculturefm Does that make sense? #arianagrande #zachsanginterview #eternalsunshine #ethanslater ♬ Originalton – popculture The topic came up in the context of her album Eternal Sunshine, and how some believed she was talking to those who criticised the relationship. “We know this about the tabloids, and about the media – am I crazy? Don’t we know this?” she said. “We selectively remember that this is what the tabloids do to people, especially women, based upon if we like the person.” When asked if there was anything she wished people knew about the situation, Ariana replied, “Plenty. We don’t have enough time. “We don’t need to go into any specifics, but of course there’s an insatiable frustration, an inexplicable hellish feeling with watching people misunderstand the people you love, and you.” A couple of months prior, the Wicked star shared an Instagram story in which she expressed feeling “deeply misunderstood.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ariana Grande (@arianagrande) “One of the most transformative, most challenging, and yet happiest and most special years of my life,” she wrote. “There were so many beautiful and yet polarised feelings. I’ve never felt more at the mercy of and in acceptance of what life was screaming to teach me. I’ve never felt more fulfilled by or present in my work, being able to cherish every moment. “I have everything I could have possibly given of my heart and of myself to the projects I was fortunate enough to be a part of and learned so much from every brilliant, beautiful, soul that I had the privilege of creating art with and crossing paths with… “I have never felt more pride or joy or love while simultaneously feeling so deeply misunderstood by people who don’t know me, who piece whispers together and make what they want out of me and their assumptions of my life.” For all the latest film and TV updates and hot takes, like our Facebook page. Featured image credit: John Salangsang/Shutterstock for Audi/Instagram Post navigation Next storyPrevious story
