What Happened to Ethan Samuel Slater?
Ethan Slater is an American actor and singer who rose to prominence for his Tony-nominated role as SpongeBob SquarePants on Broadway. He gained significant public attention in 2023 due to his relationship with 'Wicked' co-star Ariana Grande, which began amidst their respective divorces. As of mid-2026, reports indicated his separation from Grande, and he has since taken on new stage and film roles, while focusing on co-parenting his son.
Quick Answer
Ethan Slater is an American actor and singer, best known for his Broadway debut as SpongeBob SquarePants. He was cast as Boq in the two-part 'Wicked' film adaptation (2024, 2025), where he met Ariana Grande, leading to a highly publicized relationship that began in 2023. Reports in June 2026 confirmed their separation. Most recently, in July 2026, Slater joined the Off-Broadway revival cast of 'Little Shop of Horrors' as Seymour, and in August 2026, rumors of a romantic reconciliation with his ex-wife Lilly Jay were denied, with their relationship focused solely on co-parenting their son.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline16 events
Born in Washington, D.C.
Ethan Samuel Slater was born in Washington, D.C., and later attended Vassar College, where he studied drama.
First Theater Appearance in 'Claudio Quest'
Slater made his professional theater debut in the musical 'Claudio Quest' at the New York Musical Theatre Festival, earning a nomination for Best Individual Performance.
Cast as SpongeBob SquarePants on Broadway
Ethan Slater was cast in the lead role of SpongeBob SquarePants in 'SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical,' which premiered in Chicago before moving to Broadway.
Tony Nomination and Drama Desk Award Win
For his performance as SpongeBob, Slater received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical and won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical.
Married Lilly Jay
Slater married his high school classmate, Lilly Jay, in 2018.
Son Born with Lilly Jay
Ethan Slater and Lilly Jay welcomed their son in August 2022.
Cast as Boq in 'Wicked' Film Adaptation
Slater was cast in the role of Boq in the highly anticipated two-part film adaptation of the musical 'Wicked.'
Relationship with Ariana Grande Becomes Public; Files for Divorce
News broke of Slater's relationship with 'Wicked' co-star Ariana Grande, and he subsequently filed for divorce from Lilly Jay, leading to significant media attention.
Divorce from Lilly Jay Finalized
Ethan Slater's divorce from Lilly Jay was finalized in September 2024.
'Wicked' Part One Released
The first part of the 'Wicked' film adaptation, in which Slater plays Boq, was released.
'Wicked: For Good' Released; Appears in 'Gen V'
The second part of the 'Wicked' film, 'Wicked: For Good,' was released, and Slater also portrayed Thomas Godolkin in the series 'Gen V.' He also co-wrote the play 'Marcel on the Train.'
'Marcel on the Train' Premieres Off-Broadway
The play 'Marcel on the Train,' co-written by and starring Ethan Slater, premiered Off-Broadway at the Classic Stage Company.
Reports of Separation from Ariana Grande
News outlets reported that Ethan Slater and Ariana Grande had quietly separated after nearly three years of dating.
Cast in Independent Drama 'Exit Right'
Slater was announced as part of the cast for the independent drama 'Exit Right,' alongside Susan Sarandon and William H. Macy.
Joins 'Little Shop of Horrors' Off-Broadway
Ethan Slater joined the Off-Broadway revival cast of 'Little Shop of Horrors,' taking on the lead role of Seymour.
Rumors of Reconciliation with Ex-Wife Denied
Sources close to Lilly Jay denied rumors of a romantic reconciliation with Ethan Slater, stating their relationship remains focused solely on co-parenting their son.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Ethan Samuel Slater, born on June 2, 1992, in Washington, D.C., is an American actor and singer with a background in musical theater. He graduated from Vassar College with a degree in Drama. Slater's career began with various theater appearances in 2015, but his breakthrough came in 2016 when he was cast in the titular role of 'SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical.' His performance earned him a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical and a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical in 2018.
Following his Broadway success, Slater expanded into television and other stage productions, including 'Assassins' (2021-2022) and the Broadway revival of 'Spamalot' (2023-2024). A significant turning point in his career and public profile was his casting as Boq in Jon M. Chu's two-part film adaptation of the musical 'Wicked,' with the first part released in 2024 and the second in 2025. It was during the filming of 'Wicked' that Slater's personal life became a subject of intense media scrutiny.
In July 2023, news broke of a relationship between Slater and his 'Wicked' co-star Ariana Grande. This development garnered widespread attention as both individuals were married at the time; Slater to Lilly Jay, with whom he shared a son born in August 2022, and Grande to Dalton Gomez. Slater filed for divorce from Lilly Jay in July 2023, and their divorce was finalized in September 2024. Lilly Jay publicly expressed her feelings about the situation, describing her family as 'collateral damage.'
As of June 2026, reports emerged that Ethan Slater and Ariana Grande had quietly separated after nearly three years together. Sources indicated the split was amicable. In his professional life, Slater has continued to pursue new projects. In June 2026, he was announced as part of the cast for 'Exit Right,' an independent drama. Furthermore, in July 2026, it was confirmed that Slater would be joining the Off-Broadway revival cast of 'Little Shop of Horrors,' taking on the role of Seymour. In early August 2026, speculation about a romantic reconciliation between Slater and his ex-wife Lilly Jay was firmly denied by sources close to Jay, who emphasized that their relationship is strictly focused on co-parenting their son. Slater is also slated to reprise his role as Thomas Godolkin in the series 'Vought Rising' in 2027.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Ethan Samuel Slater made different choices?