Ariana Grande is doing everything she can to rebrand her relationship with Broadway star Ethan Slater, and it’s clear that she’s desperate to shift the narrative around their controversial romance. Since the news broke that Ariana and Ethan were romantically involved, things have been anything but smooth for the couple, with accusations of cheating, betrayal, and home-wrecking swirling around them. However, Ariana is standing firm in her denial of any wrongdoing and is going to great lengths to prove that her relationship with Ethan is authentic—even if it means restructuring her public image.
The Controversial Beginnings
To recap, Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater’s relationship kicked off under a cloud of scandal. Ariana was married to Dalton Gomez, while Ethan was still with his wife, Lily Jay, and they had just welcomed a newborn son. When reports emerged that Ariana and Ethan were more than just co-stars in the upcoming Wicked musical, accusations quickly followed that they had cheated on their partners with each other.
Many fans labeled Ariana a homewrecker, especially since Ethan’s divorce from Lily came just days after photos of him and Ariana started circulating. To make matters worse, Ariana finalized her divorce from Dalton just months later, leading some to believe that she was in a rush to leave her marriage and jump into another one.
But Ariana has consistently denied that she and Ethan were involved in any cheating. Sources close to the couple have been quick to defend them, claiming that both Ariana and Ethan were already separated from their partners before things turned romantic. Despite these claims, the timing of their relationship—combined with the fact that both of them were publicly still married at the time—has made it difficult for many to believe that their romance didn’t start under questionable circumstances.
The Rebrand: Shifting the Narrative
Now that they’ve gone public, Ariana is determined to reshape the narrative around her relationship with Ethan. She wants to convince the public that their bond is genuine and organic, not just a rebound or something based on convenience. Reports suggest that Ariana and Ethan have been trying to “soft launch” their relationship for several months. They’ve been spotted together on dates, attending events, and showing affection in public, but their handlers seem to be carefully managing how much information gets out.
Ariana, known for her strategic PR moves, appears to be rebranding herself as a woman in love, not a woman who destroyed her marriage or betrayed her friends. As they gear up for the premiere of Wicked, Ariana and Ethan seem determined to shift the focus away from their past relationships and onto their future as a couple. Sources claim that Ariana is incredibly happy with Ethan, and they share a strong connection, one that is not based on external factors, but rather on a deep personal bond.
However, the strategy is not without its challenges. The public is still reeling from the divorces, the accusations, and the timeline of events that don’t add up. To make matters worse, Ariana’s relationship with Ethan comes on the heels of the drama surrounding her divorce from Dalton, which included a $1.25 million payout to her ex-husband. It’s clear that Ariana’s personal life is in the spotlight, and her PR team is working overtime to ensure that this new chapter doesn’t get overshadowed by negative press.
Living Together in New York: Rushing Things?
One of the most surprising developments in this saga is that Ariana and Ethan have reportedly moved in together full-time in New York. According to several sources, Ethan has already made it clear to his ex-wife that he wants to live with Ariana and that their relationship is serious. This move seems incredibly fast, given that both of them were just in long-term marriages, with Ariana’s separation from Dalton only being finalized a few months ago.
The quick progression of their relationship has led some to question whether they are rushing things to make up for the time they spent in unhappy marriages or if they are simply trying to move on quickly in order to escape the drama. But either way, it’s clear that Ariana is deeply invested in making this relationship work—and in convincing the world that she is truly happy with Ethan, despite the controversial circumstances.
Ariana’s Denial: “We Didn’t Cheat”
Ariana is adamant in her denial of cheating, and it seems she is determined to set the record straight, no matter the backlash. In interviews and through her sources, Ariana has repeatedly stated that she and Ethan did not cheat on their exes. She maintains that the timing was simply a coincidence, and they were already in the process of separating from their partners before their relationship began. But fans are not buying it—especially when you consider how quickly both Ariana and Ethan moved on.
In an attempt to quiet the critics, Ariana has made several public statements defending her actions. In one, she commented on the rumors, saying, “The narrative around us is completely wrong.” While she has not specifically addressed the accusations of infidelity, Ariana has made it clear that she wants to distance herself from the perception that she’s a homewrecker.
This effort to reshape the narrative goes beyond just words. Ariana is actively trying to show the public that she’s found true love with Ethan, and their relationship is based on mutual respect and happiness. Despite the fact that her previous marriage ended publicly and quickly, Ariana wants everyone to believe that her bond with Ethan is authentic and that she’s genuinely in a healthy, loving relationship.
Support from Friends and Family
Ariana’s brother, Frankie Grande, has been publicly supportive of her relationship with Ethan. At a recent red carpet event, Frankie said, “Ethan’s a great guy. I’ve always adored him.” Of course, as a proud brother, Frankie is likely trying to keep things positive, but his support adds another layer of credibility to Ariana’s efforts to portray herself as a woman in love.
Interestingly, Ariana’s close friends, including Bowen Yang from SNL, have also come to her defense. Bowen recently addressed the situation, saying that the public’s perception of Ariana and Ethan’s relationship was “wrong” and that they were not the villains they were being painted as. This kind of public defense is part of the damage control Ariana seems to be implementing as she works hard to shift the perception of her personal life.
The Backlash: Will It Ever End?
Despite all of Ariana’s efforts to rebrand and restructure her image, the backlash around her relationship with Ethan shows no signs of letting up. Fans are still angry about how quickly Ariana and Ethan seemed to move on from their exes, and many are not convinced by their denials of infidelity. Ariana has even faced criticism on social media, losing hundreds of thousands of followers after the release of her song “Yes And,” which some fans saw as a commentary on her relationship with Ethan.
Still, Ariana remains defiant. Whether through subtle PR moves, strategic social media posts, or backing from close friends and family, Ariana is doing everything she can to control the narrative and prove that her relationship with Ethan is as real as any. She’s not backing down, and she seems to have made it clear that if she wants something—whether it’s a relationship, a career move, or even a new image—she will make it happen.
Conclusion: Is Ariana’s Rebrand Working?
Ariana Grande’s rebrand may be working in some circles, but the public is still divided. Some believe she’s found true love with Ethan Slater, while others remain skeptical, questioning the authenticity of their relationship. Despite the intense media scrutiny and public backlash, Ariana is pushing forward, determined to reshape her image as a woman who has moved on from her past and is now embracing a future with Ethan.
As the Wicked premiere looms and the couple continues to appear in the public eye, only time will tell whether their love story will be embraced or forever tainted by the controversy that surrounds its beginning.
