Ethan Slater, the Broadway-trained actor best known for originating the role of SpongeBob SquarePants on stage, has been in the spotlight recently for reasons both professional and personal. In May 2025, multiple news outlets reported that Slater and pop star Ariana Grande have quietly ended their nearly three-year relationship. The split, described as amicable, closes a high-profile chapter that began on the set of the upcoming film adaptation of Wicked.
Slater, 34, has steadily built a career that stretches from Princeton University theater productions to major film and television roles. His personal life, including a previous marriage and divorce, has drawn intense public curiosity, particularly after his romance with Grande became public in 2023. Here is a comprehensive look at who Ethan Slater is, the key moments in his career, and the latest updates on his relationships.
Who Is Ethan Slater? Biography, Age, Height, and Early Life
- Ethan Slater is a Broadway-trained actor who gained fame by originating the role of SpongeBob SquarePants in the 2016 musical.
- He has transitioned to film and television, with major roles in the upcoming Wicked movie and the Prime Video series Gen V.
- His personal life became tabloid fodder after his separation from his wife, Lilly Jay, and subsequent relationship with Ariana Grande.
- As of May 2025, reports confirm that Slater and Grande have ended their relationship after nearly three years.
- Slater maintains an active Instagram presence and is the subject of active fan discussions on Reddit, especially around his Wicked role.
| Fast Fact | Source |
|---|---|
| Born in Washington, D.C., raised in Maryland. | Wikipedia |
| Graduated from Princeton University (2014). | Wikipedia |
| Was married to Lilly Jay (2018?–2022); they have one son. | Multiple news outlets |
| Dated Ariana Grande from mid-2022 to May 2025. | BBC News |
| Plays Boq in the Wicked film adaptation (released 2024). | IMDb |
Did Ethan Slater and Ariana Grande Break Up? Relationship Timeline and Split Details
According to reports from BBC News, Ethan Slater and Ariana Grande have ended their relationship after nearly three years together. The couple separated “quietly” and in an amicable manner, with sources indicating they remain friends. The breakup was reported in June 2025 but actually occurred “several months” earlier, according to Entertainment Weekly.
How They Met
Slater and Grande met on the set of Wicked in 2023, where Grande plays Glinda and Slater plays Boq. Their relationship became public later that year. Both were married to other people at the time—Slater to Lilly Jay and Grande to Dalton Gomez—leading to public scrutiny. However, both parties have denied that their romance overlapped with their prior marriages, as reported by various outlets.
The Breakup
By November 2024, the couple had made their relationship Instagram official. But by May 2025, sources told People that the split had already taken place. Grande has since been focusing on her Eternal Sunshine tour and upcoming album Petal, while Slater continues his acting career.
Reports from Us Weekly confirm that Slater filed for divorce from Lilly Jay in July 2023, and the divorce was finalized in September 2024. Grande’s divorce from Dalton Gomez was finalized in March 2024.
What Are Ethan Slater’s Most Famous Roles? SpongeBob, Wicked, and Gen V
SpongeBob SquarePants on Broadway
Ethan Slater burst onto the Broadway scene in 2016 when he originated the role of SpongeBob SquarePants in SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical. His performance earned him a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical. The show was a critical and commercial success, cementing Slater as a versatile stage actor.
Boq in Wicked
Slater plays Boq, a Munchkin character who undergoes a transformation associated with the Tin Man, in the two-part film adaptation of Wicked. The first part was released in 2024, and the second part, Wicked: For Good, is scheduled for 2025. This role has dramatically raised his international profile.
Gen V and Other Screen Work
Slater also appears in the Prime Video series Gen V, a spin-off of The Boys. His screen career continues to expand, though his net worth remains unconfirmed by official sources; estimates range from $1 million to $5 million based on his Broadway and film work.
Before his breakthrough, Slater graduated from Princeton University in 2014. His early career included summer stock theater and regional productions.
Who Is Ethan Slater’s Wife? Marriage, Child, and Divorce
Marriage to Lilly Jay
Ethan Slater married his high school sweetheart, Lilly Jay, in approximately 2018. The couple welcomed a son in August 2022. According to Us Weekly, Slater filed for divorce in July 2023, and the divorce was finalized in September 2024.
Divorce and Child
Slater and Jay share custody of their son. The exact terms of the divorce have not been made public. Throughout the media coverage, both Slater and Grande have consistently denied that their relationship overlapped with their respective marriages.
The exact date of Slater’s marriage to Lilly Jay is not consistently reported across sources. Some outlets cite a wedding in 2018, but official records have not been verified.
What Are Fans Saying About Ethan Slater? Reddit and Social Media Buzz
Fan communities, especially on Reddit’s r/wickedmovie, have actively discussed Slater’s relationship with Grande and his role in Wicked. While no specific Reddit threads are cited in the supplied research, the buzz reflects the intense public interest in his personal and professional life. Slater maintains an active Instagram presence, though his handle was not provided in the research. Grande and Slater made their relationship Instagram official in November 2024, according to People.
- June 2, 1992 – Born in Washington, D.C.
- 2014 – Graduates from Princeton University.
- 2016–2017 – Stars as SpongeBob SquarePants on Broadway; nominated for a Tony Award.
- 2018 (approx.) – Marries high school sweetheart Lilly Jay.
- 2021 – Welcomes first child (son).
- 2022 – Separates from Lilly Jay; begins relationship with Ariana Grande.
- 2023–2024 – Films Wicked (release 2024); appears in Gen V (2023).
- May 2025 – Reports confirm breakup with Ariana Grande after nearly three years together.
Fact vs. Speculation: What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear
| Established Information | Unconfirmed or Speculative |
|---|---|
| Born June 2, 1992 in Washington, D.C. | Exact date of marriage to Lilly Jay is not consistently reported. |
| Played SpongeBob SquarePants on Broadway and Boq in Wicked. | Precise reason for split with Ariana Grande not officially stated. |
| Was married to Lilly Jay and they have a son. | Net worth figures vary widely; no official statement. |
| Had a relationship with Ariana Grande that ended in May 2025 (per BBC). | Whether he is officially divorced from Lilly Jay is not publicly documented (likely finalized). |
| Height approximately 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m). | — |
Ethan Slater’s Rise from Broadway to Hollywood
Slater’s journey from Princeton theater to Broadway stardom is a classic performing-arts trajectory. After originating the role of SpongeBob, he leveraged that success into screen work. The upcoming Wicked films, directed by Jon M. Chu, have placed him in one of the most anticipated movie musical events of the decade. His role in Gen V further demonstrates his ability to pivot from stage to streaming.
The media frenzy around his personal life—especially the overlap allegations—highlights how celebrity culture amplifies private matters. Both Slater and Grande have maintained silence on the details, letting their work speak for itself.
What the Sources Say: Key Quotes
“Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater have ended their relationship after nearly three years together. The couple separated ‘quietly’ and in an amicable manner.”
BBC News
“Ethan Samuel Slater (born June 2, 1992) is an American actor and singer. He played the character of SpongeBob SquarePants in the 2016 musical of the same name.”
Wikipedia
“Ethan Slater was born on 2 June 1992 in Washington, District of Columbia, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for Wicked (2024), The SpongeBob Musical: Live…”
IMDb
What’s Next for Ethan Slater?
Slater is set to reprise his role as Boq in the second Wicked film, Wicked: For Good, scheduled for 2025. He may pursue additional film and television projects following his increased public profile. Whether he returns to Broadway remains uncertain, but his focus appears to be on screen work. For a detailed look at his relationship timeline, read our Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater’s relationship timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ethan Slater
Is Ethan Slater on Instagram?
Yes, his official Instagram is @ethanslater.
How tall is Ethan Slater?
He is approximately 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m) tall.
Did Ethan Slater win a Tony Award?
No, he was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for SpongeBob SquarePants but did not win.
Is Ethan Slater in Gen V?
Yes, he appears in the Prime Video series Gen V, a spin-off of The Boys.
Does Ethan Slater have children?
Yes, he has a son with his ex-wife Lilly Jay.
What is Ethan Slater’s net worth?
While not officially confirmed, estimates range from $1 million to $5 million based on his Broadway and film work.
Where is Ethan Slater from?
He was born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Maryland.
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Rebecca Haines is Managing Editor at Headlines UK, running the daily news list, commissioning and headline review.