“Ariana Grande’s Boyfriend Ethan Slater Breaks Silence With Emotional Words About Singer After MTV VMAs Absence Sparks Split Rumors”
The relationship between Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater has been under intense scrutiny in recent weeks, with speculation swirling that the couple may be headed for a split. The rumors hit a fever pitch when Grande attended the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards without Slater by her side, leaving fans to wonder if the once inseparable pair had quietly gone their separate ways.
But Slater, best known for his role in SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical and his upcoming projects, made a series of remarks and actions that appear to directly address the rumors — and perhaps silence them altogether.
Despite his physical absence at the VMAs, Slater took to Instagram Stories to celebrate Grande’s major night. The pop superstar walked away with top honors, including “Video of the Year” and “Best Pop,” and Slater reposted her speeches and award clips with heartfelt captions. His words were telling: praising her artistry, calling her win “so well-deserved,” and describing the moment as “a special thing to see.”
These public declarations stood in sharp contrast to the whispers of an impending breakup. Rather than distancing himself, Slater doubled down on his support, putting Grande’s talent and character in the spotlight. He even referenced her song “brighter days ahead,” noting how meaningful it was to witness her success — a subtle nod, some fans speculate, to their relationship weathering outside noise.
Adding to this, Slater recently spoke to an outlet about his admiration for Grande as both an artist and a person, emphasizing her kindness and dedication. He stopped short of discussing intimate details, but underscored that their relationship thrives on privacy. Sources close to the couple echoed this sentiment, telling Elle that Grande and Slater “enjoy keeping their private life private” and that the absence at the VMAs should not be read as a breakup signal.
Grande herself has remained largely silent about the rumors, choosing instead to let her music and career achievements speak. Still, her boyfriend’s carefully chosen words appear to serve as reassurance — not just to fans, but perhaps also to the singer herself.
The saga reflects a familiar cycle in celebrity relationships: public absence fuels gossip, social media silence adds gasoline, and carefully timed words or posts become the counterweight. In this case, Slater’s choice to show love online rather than walk the red carpet beside Grande may be his way of balancing his desire for privacy with his commitment to publicly support her.
For now, it seems Ethan Slater has made his stance clear. Breakup or not, his message to the world is simple: Ariana Grande remains someone he’s proud of, someone he stands behind, and someone whose success he finds joy in celebrating. Whether that’s enough to quiet the speculation remains to be seen.
