Ariana Grande may be one of pop culture’s biggest stars, but these days she’s focused on something surprisingly simple: protecting her peace.
The singer has a sold-out tour, a highly anticipated album and a major comedy film on the horizon. However, this week, headlines once again focused on her personal life after reports emerged that she and Ethan Slater quietly ended their relationship after nearly three years together.
According to sources, the breakup was not a sudden drama but a gradual decision.
“She and Ethan are still friends,” a friend said. “This is not a dramatic breakup, it’s not like that at all… it wasn’t an overnight thing, it was a thoughtful decision, there’s no breakdown in communication.”
The couple reportedly experienced an on-again, off-again dynamic long before they officially split, with insiders suggesting that cracks had begun to appear during the global press tour for Wicked: For Good.
Still, the singer and actress decided not to let heartbreak define her next chapter.
Fresh off an Oscar nomination for her role as Glinda in Wicked, she’s now receiving praise for her upcoming comedic role in brother in law.
Her co-star Ben Stiller recently called her a “brilliant comedic actress” and “the whole driving force” of the film.
Meanwhile, fans hoping for a breakup album may be in for a surprise.
“It’s not about romantic love,” a friend said of Grande’s next project, Petal. “It’s Ari’s way of responding to all the headlines.”
Grande has often addressed public scrutiny through music, famously stating in her Yes, and? “Your business is yours, and mine is mine. Why do you care so much who I ride?”
For now, his focus appears to be on stage, screen and his inner circle, not on rekindling old relationships.
In true Ariana style, she lets the work speak for itself.
