In the realm of thespian endeavors, Ariana Grande has once again graced the stage with her presence in the celebrated production of “Wicked” in the year 2024. Not only has she mesmerized audiences with her acting prowess, but she has also garnered her maiden Oscar nomination. In a tender display of affection, her beau Ethan Slater, who portrayed Boq in the theatrical adaptation, shared a heartfelt snapshot of the songstress-actress on various online platforms.
As the 97th Annual Academy Awards unveiled its nominations on January 23, “Wicked” emerged as a frontrunner with an impressive ten nominations, including one for Grande in the esteemed category of Best Supporting Actress. Following this momentous announcement, Slater took to the virtual realm of Instagram to unveil a captivating image of Grande, marking a poignant milestone in their blossoming romance.
The portrait captured a candid moment of Grande, standing by a window with her back turned, clutching onto her phone. Dressed in a flowing beige sweatshirt, she held aloft a bouquet of delicate light pink balloons, adding a touch of whimsical charm to the scene.
Symbolism intertwined with reality as the pink balloons served as a nod to Grande’s portrayal of Glinda the Good in “Wicked,” a role that had infused her existence with shades of pink throughout the year. Embracing Glinda’s sartorial essence, the multifaceted artist donned the character’s signature style during the press tour of the Broadway extravaganza. In a jubilant spirit, Grande, aged 31, reposted the image on her personal Instagram Story post-celebration of her triumph.
Under the astute direction of Jon M. Chu, “Wicked” received a myriad of nominations, with Cynthia Erivo’s outstanding performance as the Wicked Witch of the West securing a nomination for Best Leading Actress, along with a coveted nod for Best Picture. The musical dazzled in the technical arena, earning nominations in categories such as Makeup and Hairstyling, Original Score, Sound, Visual Effects, Production Design, Film Editing, and Costume Design.
Amidst the grandeur of the production, Slater shone on stage in his role as Boq, alongside a stellar cast featuring talents like Jonathan Bailey as Prince Fiyero, Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, and Jeff Goldblum as the enigmatic Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
The romantic narrative between Slater and Grande unfolded against a backdrop of controversy, as their love story blossomed amidst tumultuous circumstances. The duo, initially entangled in marital bonds, captured the attention of the media with their burgeoning romance. Grande parted ways with Dalton Gomez, her spouse of two years, in July 2023, while Slater’s marriage to Jilly Jay and their shared parenthood added layers of complexity to their evolving relationship.
Although scrutiny and gossip surrounded their union, both parties vehemently denied any romantic involvement prior to their respective separations. Grande boldy addressed the conjectures in her musical opus, “Yes, And?” featured on her latest album, “Eternal Sunshine.”
In a testament to their enduring love, Slater and Grande have embraced their relationship wholeheartedly, displaying rare moments of public affection at formal events and showering each other with affectionate declarations. As Slater champions Grande on the digital stage, their love story unfolds at the sweetest juncture, evoking a sense of poetry and ardor in the digital age.
