Ethan Slater is incredibly proud of the entire Wicked cast, especially his girlfriend, Ariana Grande.
“I’m unbelievably proud of her,” Slater, 32, shared exclusively with Us Weekly at the 40th Artios Awards in New York City on Wednesday, February 12.
“She worked so hard. She and Cynthia [Erivo] put in an immense amount of effort—not just to bring their best versions of Glinda and Elphaba to life but also to promote the film. They’re extraordinary. I’m endlessly proud.”
In January, Wicked earned multiple 2025 Oscar nominations. Erivo, 38, was recognized with a nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her portrayal of Elphaba, while Grande, 31, received a nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance as Glinda.
“I don’t know if there’s any real preparation for this. It’s just about riding the wave,” Slater said in anticipation of the 97th Academy Awards.
“We’re all having fun … We’re all rooting for each other because we get to continue celebrating something we loved making. Win or lose, it’s just an incredible experience to honor the work we’re so passionate about. It’s truly special.”
Away from the screen, Slater and Grande have been romantically involved since July 2023. While the “Dangerous Woman” singer has previously addressed the public scrutiny surrounding her relationships, Slater prefers to keep the focus on their professional achievements.
“I think we’re both able to keep the conversation centered on the movie whenever these topics arise,” Slater said when discussing their relationship in the public eye.
Ethan Slater and Ariana Grande“We’re here to talk about Wicked and to highlight the work we’ve all done. We’re all so proud of each other as actors. The entire cast feels like a big family, and keeping that as the focus is the best way to move forward.”
As the cast and crew continue celebrating Wicked’s success, anticipation builds for the sequel, Wicked: For Good, set to release in November.
While attending the event at the Edison Ballroom, Slater remained tight-lipped about specifics but hinted that every character will have the opportunity to expand their storyline in the upcoming film.
“[Director] Jon [M. Chu] once said that Wicked is about what you do once you learn the truth,” he teased. “And in the second film, all those dynamics come into play. Personally, I’m especially excited about Boq’s relationship with Nessa [Marissa Bode]. We get to spend more time exploring their connection and seeing how it evolves, which is really exciting for me.”
Regarding Grande and Erivo’s roles, Slater promised there’s much more to come.
“People have already seen how Ariana and Cynthia bring so much emotional depth to their characters,” he shared with Us. “Ariana, in particular, balances comedy with such authenticity and grounding.
I think what might surprise audiences is just how far that depth extends in a truly beautiful way. I haven’t seen the finished product yet, but from what I witnessed on set, it was incredibly special to be part of.”
During the red carpet event, Slater also took a moment to acknowledge the contributions of casting professionals in theater, film, and television, celebrating their essential work at the Artios Awards.
