Ariana Grande and her boyfriend, Ethan Slater, have finally made their relationship official on social media and the red carpet.
The couple, who have faced public scrutiny over their romance, stepped out together for the first time at the Sydney premiere of Wicked, marking their first official event as a couple.
The 31-year-old pop star and her Wicked co-star attended the premiere at the iconic Sydney Opera House, with the Sydney Harbour Bridge providing a breathtaking backdrop.
Wicked, which hits theaters on November 24th, is a film adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical.
In the film, Grande stars as Glinda the Good Witch, while Slater, 32, plays Boq, a Munchkin character closely linked to Glinda’s story.
During the event, Ariana and Ethan posed for photos together, sharing intimate smiles and affectionate glances.
They were joined by fellow cast members, including Jeff Goldblum, who plays the Wizard, Marissa Bode, Jonathan Bailey, and Cynthia Erivo, who portrays Elphaba, Glinda’s counterpart in the story.
Ariana looked stunning in a custom pink Vivienne Westwood gown, paired with white heels, her hair pulled back in a sleek style, and her makeup kept fresh and minimal.
Ethan opted for a more casual outfit, sporting blue trousers and a matching polo, complementing Ariana’s formal look.
The couple’s red carpet debut wasn’t their only big reveal.
Ariana took to Instagram to share a series of photos from their time in Sydney, including one featuring her and Ethan walking down the stairs together, officially going “Instagram official.”
She captioned the post: “Sydney, you have stolen our hearts… @wickedmovie @cynthiaerivo,” further solidifying their relationship in the public eye.
Ariana and Ethan’s romance reportedly began in 2023 on the set of Wicked.
At the time, both were in separate marriages – Ariana with Dalton Gomez and Ethan with Lilly Jay, his longtime partner from high school.
Both have since filed for divorce, facing criticism for the timing and nature of their new relationship.
In response to the backlash, both stars have spoken candidly about how challenging it has been to navigate their personal lives in the public eye.
In an interview with Vanity Fair over the summer, Ariana shared how deeply the criticism affected her.
“The most disappointing part was seeing so many people believe the worst version of it,” she said.
“No one tries harder or spreads themselves thinner to be there for the people they love and care about.”
Ethan also addressed the scrutiny in a recent interview with GQ, expressing frustration over the speculation and judgment that followed their relationship.
“It’s really hard to see people who don’t know anything about what’s happening commenting on it and speculating,” he said.
He acknowledged that both he and Ariana experienced significant life changes and found it difficult to handle the public’s reaction.
Despite the difficulties, the couple appears stronger than ever. Ethan expressed his admiration for Ariana, particularly for her work in Wicked.
“I’m just really, really proud of Ari and the work she’s done on this,” he shared. “I’m excited for the world to see the amazing thing that she did.”
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