Ariana Grande concluded 2024 with a heartfelt reflection on the past year, sharing a glimpse into her personal and professional life, including a sweet moment with boyfriend Ethan Slater. On December 31st, the 31-year-old pop star posted a carousel of 20 photos on Instagram, chronicling key moments from the year. The images showcased behind-the-scenes moments from the set of Wicked, performances with co-star Cynthia Erivo, and cherished time with family, including brother Frankie Grande, his husband Hale Leon, and their mother Joan. Significantly, the 17th photo captured a candid moment shared between Grande and Slater, 32, smiling as Jeff Goldblum playfully took a selfie in the foreground.
“a year full of art and heart 𖦹 ｡˚ฺ ｡˚·ꕤ.ﾟ!” Grande captioned the post. “thank you eternally for your love and support, words truly don’t suffice. i love you always and am wishing you a all a very happy new year !”
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Grande and Slater’s relationship blossomed on the set of the film adaptation of Wicked, which began filming in late 2022. Slater plays Boq, while Grande stars as Glinda the Good Witch. Their relationship was confirmed in July 2023 following their respective separations from Dalton Gomez and Lilly Jay.
While the couple maintained a relatively low profile for much of the year, they made joint appearances during the Wicked press tour leading up to the film’s November release. Their mutual affection is also evident in their frequent supportive interactions on Instagram. On December 18th, Grande playfully dubbed Slater “the Buster Keaton of today!” in a comment on one of his Instagram posts, referencing the iconic silent film comedian.
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In a November interview with Entertainment Tonight, Grande expressed her joy about Slater’s growing recognition. “He’s always adorable, and he’s so amazing in this film, he’s such an amazing person,” she shared. “[I’m so happy people are getting to know him]. My heart is very happy.”
Grande’s year-end reflections coincided with the Manchester Foundation Trust Charity’s announcement of her generous donation to children’s hospitals in Manchester, England. The city holds a special significance for Grande, as it was the site of the tragic May 2017 bombing following her concert. The attack claimed 22 lives and injured hundreds. The hospital system acknowledged Grande’s ongoing connection to the city, stating that her gifts would be distributed to children across various hospitals in the Manchester area.
