{"id":5132,"date":"2026-06-11T14:13:18","date_gmt":"2026-06-11T13:13:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thetab.com\/filmshrine\/?p=5132"},"modified":"2026-06-11T14:13:18","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T13:13:18","slug":"ariana-grande-controversial-ethan-slater-comeback-resurfaces-after-break-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thetab.com\/filmshrine\/2026\/06\/11\/ariana-grande-controversial-ethan-slater-comeback-resurfaces-after-break-up\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Insatiable frustration’: Ariana Grande’s controversial Ethan Slater comeback resurfaces"},"content":{"rendered":"

In light of Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater\u2019s breakup, the controversy surrounding the start of their relationship has been circulating – including the moment she expressed “insatiable frustration\u201d towards the backlash.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although they\u2019re yet to confirm it, sources close to the pair told <\/span>TMZ<\/span><\/a> this week that they decided to end their romance and remain friends, while also suggesting that Ariana\u2019s new studio album \u2018petal\u2019 is not at all inspired by their relationship or breakup.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Since then, netizens have been unpacking the details at the beginning of their relationship, having first met while working on the first Wicked<\/a> film. At that time, Ariana was married to real estate agent Dalton Gomez, while Ethan was married to therapist Lilly Jay.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Lilly
Credit: Instagram\/Ethan Slater<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The backlash was loud, particularly towards Ethan who left his high school sweetheart, Dr. Lilly James<\/a>, when their firstborn child was less than a year old. She went on to write a public essay for The Cut.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Other details about this time have resurfaced, including a series of old posts Ariana liked<\/a> that celebrated Ethan and Jay\u2019s relationship and their baby.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, a new moment is doing the rounds: When Ariana publicly spoke about the backlash towards her and Ethan.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRemember how Ariana said it was inexplicably inexplicable or something about how everyone hated on Ethan,\u201d wrote one <\/span>Redditor<\/span><\/a>. \u201cWell now Lilly Jay is probably unsurprisingly unsurprised that their brief little fling is over.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The comments they are referring to come from Ariana\u2019s<\/a> appearance on <\/span>The Zach Sang Show<\/span><\/a> in February 2024, where she expressed frustration over the public scrutiny she and Ethan faced.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
@popculturefm<\/a> <\/p>\n

Does that make sense? #arianagrande<\/a> #zachsanginterview<\/a> #eternalsunshine<\/a> #ethanslater<\/a> <\/p>\n

\u266c Originalton – popculture<\/a> <\/section>\n<\/blockquote>\n