Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater Shine Together at the 2025 National Board of Review Awards
Ariana Grande and her Wicked costar Ethan Slater are still going strong, as evidenced by their dazzling date night at the 2025 National Board of Review Awards in New York City on January 7. The couple, who made their romance public in 2023, stole the spotlight at the prestigious event, where Wicked was the evening’s biggest winner.
A Magical Night for Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater
The couple, who met while working on the highly anticipated Wicked film adaptation, turned heads as they attended the gala at Cipriani 42nd Street. Ariana, 31, looked stunning in a floor-length pink gown, which she paired with a matching pink shawl. Ethan, 32, kept it classic in a black suit and a crisp white shirt, skipping the necktie for a more laid-back, yet polished, look. The duo’s coordinated style made them the perfect pair, charming both fans and fellow celebrities alike.
The event was a milestone for Wicked, as the film adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical received multiple awards. The Best Film honor was awarded to the project, along with Best Director for Jon M. Chu. Additionally, the NBR Spotlight Award recognized the remarkable creative collaboration between Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, two of the film’s standout stars.
A Busy Award Season for Ariana Grande
It’s been an exciting few days for Ariana, who was also at the 2025 Golden Globe Awards on January 5, where Wicked claimed the Cinematic and Box Office Achievement award. Although Ariana did not win the Best Supporting Actress award at the Golden Globes, losing out to Zoe Saldaña for Emilia Pérez, she expressed her gratitude for the nomination.
“Oh my goodness, oh my goodness,” Ariana shared on her Instagram Story. “I am floored and honored to be recognized by the members of the @goldenglobes, crying (of course). It’s impossible to find my words, but I am simply so grateful for this acknowledgement.”
Ariana also congratulated her costar, Cynthia Erivo, who was nominated for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy but lost to Demi Moore for The Substance. Ariana’s heartfelt message to Cynthia read, “Congratulations to my brilliant, dear sister, and all of our Ozian family on this celebration of our work.”
Ethan Slater Reflects on His Experience with Ariana Grande
As for Ethan, who shares a young son with his ex, Lilly Jay, he recently opened up about his experience working on Wicked. He spoke fondly of his time spent with Ariana, describing it as “an amazing year and a really beautiful thing.” Ethan has nothing but admiration for Ariana’s dedication to her role, saying, “I’m just really, really proud of Ari and the work she’s done on this. She’s poured herself into it.”
Ethan also expressed his excitement about the upcoming release of the film and how he is looking forward to fans seeing Ariana’s exceptional performance onscreen. “I’m really excited to be here for this next step,” he added. “I’m sure the world will love the amazing thing that she did.”
Looking Ahead to a Bright Future
It’s clear that Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater are both professionally and personally thriving. Their collaboration on Wicked has not only resulted in critical acclaim but also in a flourishing relationship. As the Wicked movie continues to receive accolades, fans are eagerly anticipating the next chapter for both the film and the couple’s journey together.
