Ariana Grande’s Controversial Romance—Why Fans Are Calling Her Boyfriend ‘Her Male Version’
Ariana Grande’s romance with her **”Wicked”** co-star is still a hot topic nearly two years after it began. The couple was recently seen together at an event, taking photos and hugging in public. While some fans love their connection, others still criticize how it all started, leading to mixed opinions.
Ariana and Ethan first met while filming **”Wicked”** in December 2022. Ariana plays Glinda, the Good Witch, while Ethan plays Boq, a character with an important role in the story.
Their bond grew while working together, and by mid-2023, they became a couple. At that time, both were going through divorces, but their timing raised eyebrows. On set, their connection was noticeable, with reports claiming they often acted more like a couple than just co-stars.
One insider shared that **”Ariana and Ethan weren’t careful”** because they would hold hands and interact closely between scenes. Once their relationship became public, many people reacted strongly—especially because of Ethan’s marriage ending.
Fans and critics have questioned when exactly Ariana and Ethan’s relationship began. Ariana filed for divorce from **Dalton Gomez** in September 2023, saying they had separated in February. Around the same time, Ethan filed for divorce from **Lilly Jay**, his wife of five years, in July 2023.
Just two months before filing for divorce, Ethan had publicly celebrated Lilly’s first Mother’s Day, calling her an **”amazing mom and person.”** The couple had been high school sweethearts and shared a child born in 2022.
When news of Ethan and Ariana’s relationship surfaced just days before he filed for divorce, people speculated about whether their relationship had started earlier. This led to strong criticism online.
In November 2024, a video of Ethan interacting with fans went viral. In the clip, he’s seen chatting and taking selfies, which many fans found sweet.
Some fans gushed over him, saying things like **”He’s so nice! I can see why Ariana likes him!”** and **”They’re so perfect together!”** Others noticed similarities between Ariana and Ethan’s mannerisms, calling him her **”male version.”**
Some fans defended Ariana, suggesting she **”probably goes for personality over looks.”** Others found Ethan’s kindness heartwarming, with one saying, **”He was so sweet to his fans. I love that!”**
However, many people weren’t ready to forget the controversy. One person commented, **”Didn’t he leave his wife and newborn baby?”** Others said things like, **”You can’t just ignore what he did,”** and **”No matter how nice he seems, he still cheated.”**
The video once again divided fans, showing how people still have strong feelings about the couple’s relationship.
Ariana and Ethan’s relationship has gone from private to public over the past year. In October 2023, after Ariana finalized her divorce, they were seen having dinner together in New York City.
In December 2023, they dined with Ariana’s dad before attending Ethan’s Broadway show **”Spamalot.”** A source close to Ariana said, **”They love supporting each other.”**
In June 2024, the couple was seen at Game One of the Stanley Cup Finals in Florida, just days after Ariana released a music video for **”The Boy Is Mine.”** Many fans believed the song reflected her relationship with Ethan.
Most recently, in January 2025, Ariana and Ethan attended the **National Board of Review Awards Gala** in New York City. They posed together for photos, looking comfortable and happy.
Before dating Ariana, Ethan was best known for playing **SpongeBob** in **”SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical.”** His performance earned him a **Tony Award nomination.**
He also appeared in TV shows like **”Fosse/Verdon”** and a filmed version of the **SpongeBob Musical.** Many in the theater world respect him for his talent.
In an interview, Ethan called Ariana **”a genius”** and praised her work ethic in **”Wicked.”** He said, **”I’m really proud of her and all the effort she’s put into this role.”**
Despite his success, much of the public’s focus remains on his personal life rather than his career. His ex-wife, Lilly Jay, is a **clinical psychologist** who focuses on women’s mental health.
Though sources close to Ariana and Ethan say he was already separated before dating her, Lilly has hinted at feeling blindsided. More than a year after their divorce, she wrote an essay reflecting on how hard it was to raise a newborn while going through an unexpected split.
She wrote, **”No one gets married thinking they’ll get divorced, especially not just after having a baby.”** However, she emphasized that both she and Ethan are committed to co-parenting their son.
After facing criticism for months, Ariana finally spoke about the controversy in a **September 2024 interview** with Vanity Fair.
She denied the rumors that Ethan abandoned his family for her, saying, **”It was disappointing to see people believe the worst version of the story.”** She didn’t go into details but strongly defended Ethan’s character, calling him **”someone with the best heart.”**
Ariana also addressed the struggles of living under constant public judgment. She shared, **”I know I’m not perfect, but I’m proud of who I’m becoming.”**
She made it clear that she won’t let tabloids define her life, saying, **”I won’t let false stories ruin my happiness.”**
While her words haven’t stopped the debate, they offer insight into how she sees her relationship. Despite the controversy, Ariana and Ethan seem focused on their own happiness and continuing to support each other.
