Ariana Grande's romantic life has spent years under a massive public microscope, tracking everything from high-profile engagements to her marriage and subsequent divorce. While pop culture blogs often blur the lines between gossip and reality, the actual timeline of her relationships reflects a long string of high-profile romances that frequently bleed into her music.
Understanding her love life means looking past the internet rumors to examine her marriage to luxury real estate agent Dalton Gomez, her past engagements, and her relationship with Wicked co-star Ethan Slater. Rather than getting lost in sensationalized internet noise, here is the factual breakdown of who she has dated, when she was married, and how those relationships shaped her career.
The Marriage and Divorce: Dalton Gomez
Ariana Grande began dating luxury real estate agent Dalton Gomez in January 2020, keeping the early months of their relationship relatively quiet. The couple quarantined together during the COVID-19 pandemic, which accelerated their connection. By December 2020, Grande announced their engagement on Instagram with photos of her unique diamond and pearl ring.
On May 15, 2021, the pair married in an intimate ceremony at her home in Montecito, California, with fewer than 20 guests in attendance. For a brief period, the relationship appeared to offer Grande a respite from the intense public scrutiny she faced during her earlier years. As reported in detailed reports by Reuters, the implications are worth noting.
Cracks in the relationship began to show by early 2023. Sources close to the couple noted that long-distance struggles and the return to busy post-pandemic work schedules—specifically Grande's move to London to film Wicked—put heavy strain on the marriage. In July 2023, news broke that Grande and Gomez had separated, and they filed for divorce that September, which was finalized in March 2024.
The Co-Star Romance: Ethan Slater
Shortly after news of her separation from Gomez surfaced, headlines shifted toward Grande's relationship with her Wicked co-star Ethan Slater. Slater, known for his work on Broadway including SpongeBob SquarePants and Spamalot, played Boq in the film adaptation.
The pairing sparked immediate media scrutiny and intense internet speculation regarding the exact timeline of events, given that both actors had been in separate marriages prior to meeting on set in late 2022. Slater filed for divorce from his estranged wife, Lilly Jay, in July 2023.
Despite initial public friction and heavy tabloid chatter, Grande and Slater maintained a low profile before stepping out more publicly. Grande later addressed public misconceptions in interviews, urging fans to focus on the reality of their mutual support rather than fabricated narratives. The relationship heavily influenced the creative direction of her album Eternal Sunshine, which deals directly with the fallout of her divorce and the beginning of her new chapter.
Looking Back: Key Relationships That Shaped the Timeline
Before her marriage to Gomez, Grande's high-profile dating history featured several widely publicized partnerships that heavily influenced her discography.
- Mac Miller (2016–2018): Grande dated the late rapper for nearly two years. The pair collaborated musically on tracks like "The Way" and "My Favorite Part." Following their amicable split in 2018, Grande frequently honored his memory in interviews and tribute performances.
- Pete Davidson (2018): Following her breakup with Miller, Grande entered a whirlwind romance with Saturday Night Live cast member Pete Davidson. The couple got engaged after just a few weeks of dating in mid-2018 before calling it quits that October. The relationship heavily inspired her blockbuster album Thank U, Next.
- Ricky Alvarez (2015–2016): One of her earlier public relationships was with background dancer Ricky Alvarez, which famously intersected with the 2015 "donut-licking" controversy.
- Big Sean (2014–2015): Grande dated the rapper for roughly eight months before splitting due to conflicting touring schedules.
- Nathan Sykes and Jai Brooks: Her earlier public relationships during her Nickelodeon transition era included The Wanted singer Nathan Sykes and Australian YouTube star Jai Brooks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Ariana Grande married before Dalton Gomez?
No, Dalton Gomez was Ariana Grande's first and only husband. While she was previously engaged to Pete Davidson in 2018, they never married.
When did Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez divorce?
Grande and Gomez separated in early 2023, filed for divorce in September 2023, and finalized the legal proceedings in March 2024.
How did Ariana Grande meet Ethan Slater?
The pair met on the London set of the upcoming film adaptation of the musical Wicked in late 2022, where Grande played Glinda and Slater played Boq.
Which of Ariana Grande's albums are about her relationships?
Virtually all of her major studio releases feature thematic nods to her love life. Thank U, Next (2019) reflects heavily on her split from Miller and whirlwind engagement to Davidson, while Eternal Sunshine (2024) processes her divorce from Gomez and her subsequent relationship with Slater.
