On a star-studded night in Los Angeles, the red carpet at the premiere of the highly anticipated “Wicked” film adaptation was the setting for a heartwarming moment between its lead actress, Ariana Grande, and her real-life boyfriend, Ethan Slater.
As the pop superstar and her Broadway star beau posed for photos with their co-stars Cynthia Erivo, Jeff Goldblum, and the iconic “Wicked” duo Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel, Grande tenderly adjusted Slater’s bow tie. The smile that spread across her face as she attended to his appearance exuded pure joy and affection.
Grande, who will portray Glinda the Good Witch on the big screen, embraced her character’s signature style by donning a custom Thom Browne gown with a pink-and-white gingham pattern and a chic bolero jacket. Slater, who plays the character of Boq, looked equally dashing in a sharp velvet green suit.
The sweet moment between the co-stars-turned-real-life couple has not gone unnoticed by their adoring fans. In a recent interview with GQ Hype, Slater gushed about Grande’s talents, stating, “Of course Ari’s Ari, and she’s amazing. She is not only a comedian, but also possesses a unique and versatile voice. He continued to express his “unbiased opinion” that she is “one of the best comedians to appear in a movie in a long time.” She’s a genius.”
The feeling, it seems, is more than mutual. When asked about the adorable train-holding moment that occurred at the Sydney “Wicked” premiere, Grande expressed, “He’s always that adorable. He is truly amazing in this film. He’s such an amazing person. I’m so happy people are getting to know him. My heart is very happy.”
The relationship between Grande and Slater has been the subject of much public interest since they confirmed their romance in July 2023, just months after both artists went through high-profile separations. However, Slater has been vocal about the challenges of navigating a relationship in the public eye, telling GQ, “Some of the difficult parts that you’re talking about are the personal-life stuff that everybody in the world goes through. Therefore, my primary focus is on the genuine individuals in my life, the impact of these events, and upholding the dignity of each individual, rather than the opinions expressed on Twitter.
As the Wicked promo tour continues, it’s clear that Grande and Slater are cherishing their time together and the opportunity to share their passion project with the world. Fans can’t wait to see the on-screen magic they create when “Wicked” hits theaters in two parts, with the first installment arriving on November 22.