When Ariana Grande was cast as Glinda in the film adaptation of Wicked, it was a dream come true. She'd wanted the role since childhood. The production promised to be magical.
It was—but not just professionally.
During filming, Ariana fell in love with her co-star Ethan Slater, who played Boq. The problem: she was married to Dalton Gomez. He was married to Lilly Jay, with whom he had a newborn baby.
What followed was one of the messiest celebrity scandals in recent memory.
The Marriages
Ariana and Dalton Ariana Grande married real estate agent Dalton Gomez in May 2021. The wedding was intimate—fewer than 20 guests at her Montecito home. They seemed happy. She called him her "best friend."
Ethan and Lilly Ethan Slater married his high school sweetheart Lilly Jay in 2018. They had a baby in August 2022—just months before Wicked filming began.
Both marriages appeared stable. Both were about to end.
The Timeline That Angered Everyone
Here's what makes this scandal particularly ugly:
- December 2022: Wicked begins filming in London
- August 2022: Ethan and Lilly have a baby
- Early 2023: Ariana and Ethan grow close on set
- January 2023: Ariana and Dalton separate (kept private)
- July 2023: Ethan files for divorce from Lilly
- July 2023: News breaks that Ariana and Ethan are together
- October 2023: Ariana officially files for divorce from Dalton
The timing was devastating. Ethan's baby was less than a year old when he left.
Lilly Jay's Statement
Ethan's wife, Lilly Jay, broke her silence through a spokesperson:
"Lilly and her child have been through hell during this time. What's most important right now is that Lilly and her child have the space to heal."
The statement was restrained but devastating. Ariana Grande, one of the most beloved pop stars in the world, was painted as a homewrecker who destroyed a new mother's family.
The Internet's Reaction
The public was not kind:
- "She broke up a family with a baby"
- "Team Dalton" and "Team Lilly" hashtags trended
- Old interviews where Ariana discussed loyalty were shared mockingly
- Her "sweetener" image was destroyed
- Ethan was called weak for leaving his newborn
Fan accounts tried to defend Ariana, but the optics were terrible. There was no good way to spin it.
The "Glinda" Irony
The scandal was particularly painful because of Wicked's themes:
- Glinda is the "good" witch
- The musical is about friendship and integrity
- Ariana had dreamed of the role for years
Now her biggest career achievement was inextricably linked to the scandal. Every interview, every premiere, every article would mention it.
Ariana's Divorce Settlement
Ariana's divorce from Dalton was finalized quickly, but reports suggest:
- Dalton received $1.25 million (though he wasn't seeking payment)
- They divided property and assets
- No ongoing spousal support
- They agreed to keep proceedings private
The settlement was generous—perhaps to end things quietly.
Ethan's Divorce
Ethan's divorce from Lilly is messier because of their child:
- Custody arrangements are ongoing
- Lilly is represented by high-profile attorneys
- The financial settlement is substantial
- Co-parenting is reportedly difficult
The presence of a baby makes this divorce fundamentally more painful than Ariana's.
How They Met on Set
Sources describe the Wicked set as "intense":
- 10-month shoot in London
- Long hours in close quarters
- Emotional material about connection
- Both playing characters who develop feelings
People who worked on the film say:
- They had obvious chemistry
- They spent time together outside of filming
- The relationship grew gradually
- Both were conflicted about their marriages
Whether the relationship became physical before separations is unknown—but the emotional affair clearly started during production.
The Defense
Ariana's defenders argue:
- Her marriage was already over emotionally
- She didn't publicly date Ethan until after separating
- You can't control who you fall for
- She's handled it privately and with dignity
Ethan's defenders argue:
- Sometimes marriages end for complicated reasons
- He didn't abandon his child
- The relationship with Lilly may have had problems nobody knew about
The Criticism
Critics argue:
- The timing with the baby is inexcusable
- Co-star romances are avoidable
- She's a repeat pattern (she dated Mac Miller while with Ricky Alvarez, Big Sean while with others)
- Her "empowerment" brand rings hollow now
The harshest criticism: Ariana Grande has built a career on emotional authenticity and female empowerment. Helping break up a marriage with a baby contradicts that brand.
Where Things Stand Now
As of late 2024:
- Ariana and Ethan are still together
- Wicked Part 1 was released to massive success
- Ariana has done minimal press about her personal life
- She and Ethan have not done couple appearances
- The scandal is unavoidable in any Wicked coverage
They appear to be waiting it out—hoping time will soften public opinion.
The Wicked Problem
The scandal creates real problems for the film:
- Press tours are awkward
- Interviewers want to ask about it
- Fan reception is complicated
- The film's "magic" is tainted
Universal has tried to keep focus on the movie, but it's impossible to completely separate the art from the artists.
Will It Affect the Box Office?
Probably not much:
- Wicked is too big to fail
- Most moviegoers don't follow celebrity gossip closely
- The reviews are strong
- The spectacle will draw audiences
But the scandal will follow the film forever. It's part of the story now.
The Bigger Questions
The Ariana-Ethan scandal raises questions we ask about every affair:
- Is there ever a "right" way to leave a marriage?
- When children are involved, do different rules apply?
- Is it possible to fall in love without betraying someone?
- How much do we hold celebrities to moral standards?
There are no easy answers. But the court of public opinion has delivered its verdict, and it wasn't good for Ariana.
Moving Forward
Ariana Grande is too talented and too successful to be destroyed by this scandal. She'll make more music. She'll act in more films. Her career will continue.
But something has changed. The "sweetener" era is over. The image of pure-hearted positivity is gone.
She fell in love. It was messy. People got hurt. And now she has to live with how that looks.
Whether the relationship lasts—and whether the public eventually forgives—remains to be seen.
But Lilly Jay's baby will grow up knowing this story. That's the part that can't be undone.