Image Credit: Getty Images for FIJI Water
Ariana Grande‘s romantic entanglements have been a subject of public interest since her teenage years. Most recently, her divorce from ex-husband Dalton Gomez was finalized in 2023. After two years of marital union, reports surfaced in July 2023 indicating the couple’s separation. Not long after their breakup, it was reported that the “Positions” vocalist had entered into a relationship with her *Wicked* co-star Ethan Slater, who initiated divorce proceedings from his former wife, Lilly Jay, also in July. However, their relationship concluded approximately three years later, as reported by multiple media outlets in mid-2026.
Prior to her marriage, Ariana was famously involved with notable figures such as Big Sean and Mac Miller, and had a brief engagement to Pete Davidson in 2018. Here’s a comprehensive look at her past relationships:
Jai Brooks
Ariana Grande with Jai Brooks. (SplashNews)
Ariana’s relationship with Australian YouTube personality Jai Brooks from The Janoskians commenced in August 2012. Their separation occurred in October 2013, following Jai’s public accusation on Twitter that the former Nickelodeon star had been unfaithful with Nathan Sykes of the British boy band The Wanted. “Yes I was cheated on. Yes it does suck,” he posted in an extensive statement. “Yes I was left for another man.” The “7 Rings” singer disputed his allegations, accusing him of issuing threats if she decided to end their relationship. “Woke up this morning in complete and utter shock …I guess I shouldn’t be so surprised. You said to me if I didn’t come back to you, you’d make me look bad to the entire world,” she responded. “I’m no longer afraid of you or your lies anymore.” The couple briefly reconciled in May 2014 but ultimately parted ways for good in August of that same year.
Big Sean
Ariana Grande and Big Sean at the Grammys. (Shutterstock)
One of Ari’s initial significant relationships was with rapper Big Sean. She confirmed their romance in October 2014, describing him as “one of the most amazing men in the whole world.” Prior to his involvement with Ariana, Sean was engaged to *Glee* actress Naya Rivera, who claimed in her 2016 memoir that she discovered Ari at the rapper’s residence while they were still together. Ariana and Big Sean concluded their relationship eight months later, in April 2015. Notwithstanding their relatively brief union, he received a mention in her November 2018 single “Thank U, Next,” where she sang: “Thought I’d end up with Sean / But he wasn’t a match.”
Ricky Alvarez
Ariana Grande spotted out with Ricky Alvarez. (shutterstock)
Ari was first associated with her backup dancer Ricky Alvarez during the summer of 2015. They dated for approximately a year before their separation in July 2016. The pair have maintained a friendly rapport in the intervening years and have even been observed spending time together. Following Ariana’s lyric, “Wrote some songs about Ricky / Now I listen and laugh” on her single “Thank U, Next,” she humorously commented on social media, “IM SORRY U GOT THE WORST LINE … IT WAS MEANT V LOVINGLY.”
Mac Miller
Ariana Grande holds hands with Mac Miller. (SplashNews)
Ariana and the late rapper Mac Miller initially connected during their collaboration on her single “The Way,” and subsequently dated from 2016 to 2018. After their breakup, Ariana shared insights into their separation on Instagram. “I respect and adore him endlessly and am grateful to have him in my life in any form, at all times regardless of how our relationship changes or what the universe holds for each of us!” The rapper also discussed their relationship in July 2018, stating, “I was in love with somebody. We were together for two years. We worked through good times, bad times, stress and everything else. And then it came to an end and we both moved on,” he told Zane Lowe on Beats 1.
Tragically, Mac Miller passed away in September 2018 due to mixed drug toxicity. Ariana shared a poignant tribute to him following his death. “I adored you from the day i met you when i was nineteen and i always will.” She also referenced him in her track “Thank U, Next,” singing, “Wish I could say, ‘Thank You’ to Malcom / ‘Cause he was an angel.”
Pete Davidson
Ariana Grande out and about with Pete Davidson. (MEGA)
Who could forget Ariana’s brief engagement to *Saturday Night Live* comedian Pete Davidson? The couple had only been dating for a few weeks in the summer of 2018 when she announced Pete had proposed. While their relationship appeared blissful for several months, they called off their engagement in October 2018. Pete later commented that he recognized their relationship was nearing its end following the sudden passing of her ex, Mac Miller. “I pretty much knew it was around over after that. That was really horrible, and I can’t imagine what that sh*t is like. All I do know is that she really loved the sh*t out of him, and she wasn’t putting on a show or anything. That was f**ked up. Prayers to his family and all of his friends,” he stated in February 2020.
Even though their relationship might not have concluded as they initially envisioned, it’s evident that there is no animosity between Pete and Ariana, as demonstrated when the “God is a Woman” singer gifted Pete’s then-girlfriend Kim Kardashian a selection from her R.E.M. beauty line in March 2022.
Dalton Gomez
Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez (Photo: BACKGRID)
Dalton Gomez officially proposed in 2020 and exchanged vows with Ariana in 2021. The couple is believed to have begun their relationship in early 2020. Fans first noticed an unidentified man in the background of some of her Instagram stories while she was isolating at home during the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. She later confirmed their romantic status by featuring him in her “Stuck with U” music video.
The couple then progressed from strength to strength, embarking on romantic excursions and displaying affection in endearing social media posts. After dating for under a year, the “7 Rings” artist took to Instagram on December 20, 2020, to announce their engagement. “forever n then some,” she captioned a post showcasing her exquisite engagement ring. The distinctive piece of jewelry featured a large diamond accompanied by a small pearl, which she displayed in a captivating mirror selfie.
Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez (Photo: MEGA)
On May 17, 2021, Ariana and Dalton garnered attention for their discreet wedding ceremony, reportedly an “informal” affair held the preceding weekend. The former couple celebrated their union with a private and intimate ceremony in Montecito, CA, attended by fewer than 20 guests. The couple appeared immensely happy together following their wedding. They notably sported impressive Halloween costumes in October 2021. In December 2022, Ariana relocated to the U.K. to film the two-part *Wicked* movies, and Dalton visited her on set multiple times. Everything seemed harmonious for the couple… until it wasn’t.
On July 16, 2023, Ariana and Dalton fueled speculation of a breakup when Ariana was observed without her wedding ring at Wimbledon. The subsequent day, news emerged that the pair were divorcing after two years of marriage. TMZ reported that the couple had separated in January 2023 and attempted reconciliation but were unsuccessful. Ariana and Dalton were reportedly experiencing difficulties prior to the “Into You” singer’s move to England for the filming of *Wicked*, according to TMZ. Both parties filed for divorce in September 2023. The legal documents cited February 20 as their date of separation.
On October 6, Page Six reported that they had finalized their divorce settlement, with Ariana providing a lump sum payment and ensuring security for the real estate agent. “Ariana and Dalton really wanted to take care of each through all of this and make it as easy on one another as possible — which is why they really took their time with everything,” an insider shared with the publication.
“They have a strong mutual respect for each other.”
Ethan Slater
Ariana Grande; Ethan Slater (Photo: Matt Baron/Kristina Bumphrey/Starpix/Shutterstock)
Following her separation from Dalton, Ariana is now romantically linked with fellow Broadway performer Ethan Slater, as reported by PEOPLE on July 20, 2023. “Ariana and Dalton separated in January. She and Ethan recently began dating, and he is separated from his wife,” a source informed the publication. Ariana and Ethan, who are co-stars in the *Wicked* film, reportedly bonded over their respective marital dissolutions.
Ethan is recognized for his role in the *SpongeBob SquarePants* Broadway musical, a performance that earned him a Tony Award nomination in 2018. Ethan was married to his high school sweetheart, Lilly Jay, and they welcomed their first child, a son, in 2022. The exact timeline of Ethan and Lilly’s split is unclear, though they had been together since 2012. According to a TMZ report, Ethan filed documents to end his marriage in New York City on July 26, 2023.
Reflecting on the new year, Ariana seemingly alluded to her current relationship in a rare Instagram Story comment. “I have never felt more pride or joy or love while simultaneously feeling so deeply misunderstood by people who don’t know me,” she wrote.
The “7 Rings” vocalist has encountered some criticism regarding her new relationship, but she disregarded her detractors in her song “Yes And?” from her highly anticipated album *Eternal Sunshine*. “No I won’t hide underneath your own projections or change my most / authentic life. … Your business is yours and mine is mine / Why do you care so much whose d**k I ride,” she sings in the second verse.
In June 2026, multiple media outlets reported that Ariana and Ethan had discreetly ended their relationship several months prior.