In a world where the relationships of superstars are examined under the public’s watchful eye, two-time Grammy-winning pop sensation Ariana Grande finds herself at the center of a media tempest. On the cover of Vanity Fair’s November 2024 issue, Grande speaks out about the gossip-fueled speculation surrounding her new romance with Wicked co-star Ethan Slater. Though the relationship between the powerhouse doyenne of contemporary pop music and the Tony-nominated Slater began only recently, in 2023, after both had endured separations from their spouses, the tabloids and other entertainment media have been running wild with the story.
For Ariana Grande, the much-anticipated movie ‘Wicked’ didn’t just come from the hands of its many talented creators; it was an earnest effort by a lot of people who really cared to see the project come to life. Directed by Jon M. Chu and co-starring Cynthia Erivo, the film has had many ups and downs in its lengthy production saga. Still, after two intense years of filming, Grande is ready for the world to see her as the green-skinned protagonista of a beloved Broadway hit turned Hollywood blockbuster. “I’m so excited for people to see the work that’s been done,” she says.
Even though E! News received confirmation in July 2023 that both Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater had been free of their prior relationships for some time before they got together, that didn’t stop the narrative from going wild. “I understand why it was a field day for the tabloids,” Ariana said on the recent episode of “The Best!” podcast. “I mean, it was our first time doing press together on camera or in print, and it was a high-interest piece.” Poor Ariana. Given that, as she herself pointed out, it was taboo not only to mention but also to discuss a relationship in the “early stages” when it came to making public statements, the way this story unfolded makes Ariana look sort of… you get where I’m going with this.
Ariana has taken issue with the tabloid portrayals of Ethan, the Tony-nominated star whose heart is far larger than his headlines. She has defended him vigorously, stating with a fierce tone that “there couldn’t be a less accurate depiction of a human being than the one that the tabloids spread about him.” In what amounts to a tribute, Ariana has praised Ethan’s devotion to their loved ones and (quoting her) has said that “he spreads himself thinner to be there for the people that he loves and cares about.”
Long before this romance, Ariana Grande lived under a microscope. At this point, navigating the entertainment industry feels like a familiar narrative for the singer since she was just a teenager. The life of Ariana Grande is the subject of long-running tabloid storylines, and for a while, it seemed like every time one of those storylines would play out, another would quickly follow. Still, through the past several years, Ariana has developed some serious resilience. She hasn’t let the tabloids get her down or dictate how she feels about herself. Quite the opposite. “I’m 31 years old,” she told Harper’s Bazaar, in an interview that took some serious strength to give. “And I’m not a perfect person, but I am definitely deeply good, and I’m proud of who I’m becoming.”
While Hollywood may remain in nervous wonderment, CEO Ariana Grande is an all-woman boardroom of one, standing strong in her resolve to live authentically, away from the prying tabloid lens and the many distorted tales told about her. Grande’s narrative is now, thankfully, one of love found amid change. Of a powerhouse pop singer fighting back with fierce determination against the relentless and often unfair scrutiny to which she’s been subjected for about a decade now. And, if you ask me, what a story this is for all and especially for young girls and women trying to make their way in the world. Grande’s is not just a tale of love blooming in the Hollywood spotlight. It’s about claiming ownership of her life against the odds.
