Lilly Jay, the ex-wife of Broadway actor Ethan Slater, has shared her deeply personal story in a heartfelt essay for The Cut.
In it, she detailed the pain of seeing her marriage fall apart in the public eye—a situation compounded by Ethan’s new relationship with his Wicked co-star, Ariana Grande.
Lily Jay: How Does My Divorce Make You Feel?
In her essay, Jay reflects on life after her separation and the challenges of co-parenting their 2-year-old son. Though she avoided mentioning names explicitly, it’s more than clear that her narrative touched on Slater’s high-profile romance with the pop superstar, Ariana Grande.
“Motherhood, I have learned, fills your time but not your mind,” she wrote. Jay described how she has been processing the end of her marriage while embracing the joys and struggles of raising her son. “In the countless hours I spend rocking my son to sleep, pushing his stroller, marveling at his sweaty little hands grasping a crayon, I work diligently on my private project of accepting the sudden public downfall of my marriage.”
Jay also expressed hope for her future: “Slowly but surely, I have come to believe that in the absence of the life I planned with my high-school sweetheart, a lifetime of sweetness is waiting for me and my child.”
However, the most heartbreaking part of the letter-in which she surely addresses Ariana, reads:
“No one gets married thinking they’ll get divorced, in the same way we don’t board a plane expecting to crash. But I really never thought I would get divorced. Especially not just after giving birth to my first child and especially not in the shadow of my husband’s new relationship with a celebrity.”
She also reveals she suffered from preeclampsia, to which luckily, she survived.
Ethan Slater and Ariana Grande’s relationship began during the filming of Wicked in late 2022, where Slater plays Boq and Grande stars as Glinda. Their connection, initially a professional camaraderie rooted in a shared love for musical theater, quickly evolved into a romantic relationship. At the time, both were married—Slater to Lilly Jay and Grande to real estate agent Dalton Gomez.
Grande and Gomez ended their marriage in May 2023, and shortly afterward, Slater separated from Jay. By July, their relationship became public knowledge, sparking intense scrutiny and rumors of infidelity.
While Jay described the situation as “heartbreaking,” Slater and Grande have moved forward together on the other hand. The couple has been seen at Broadway events, casual outings, and even sporting events, showcasing their growing bond.
The public exposure also altered her personal and professional life. “At the Children’s Hospital, my invisibility was welcome protection from hard conversations for me and my patients” she mentions.
Ariana Grande looks gorgeous in new photo with Ethan Slater from the ‘Wicked’ set. pic.twitter.com/ak9btJ5yHO
— Buzzing Pop (@BuzzingPop) November 22, 2024
Despite the turmoil, Jay is determined to reclaim her narrative. “If I can’t be invisible anymore, I may as well introduce myself,” she wrote.
As the buzz surrounding Wicked continues, so does interest in Grande and Slater’s off-screen romance. The couple has yet to comment publicly on marriage plans but has demonstrated mutual support in their public appearances.
With Wicked: Part One receiving acclaim and Part Two scheduled for release on November 21, 2025, the pair’s chemistry is expected to shine both on and off screen. At the end of the day, everyone can get involved in a love triangle… just not this publicly.
