At the 2025 Critics Choice Awards, held on February 7 at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, Ariana Grande and her partner, Ethan Slater, garnered significant attention. The couple, who co-star in the upcoming film adaptation of “Wicked,” were seen sharing intimate moments during the ceremony, including sitting closely and engaging in private conversations. Grande, nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Glinda, donned a Dior Couture tutu-inspired dress, while Slater, known for his role as Boq, accompanied her.
Comedian Chelsea Handler, hosting the event, made a quip referencing their relationship, stating, “Now Ariana has even found love with a munchkin,” alluding to Slater’s character in “Wicked.” The joke received mixed reactions, with some audience members laughing, while others, including Grande and Slater, appeared less amused.
Following the event, discussions emerged online concerning Grande’s appearance. Some fans expressed concern over her noticeable weight loss, speculating about her health and well-being. Comments ranged from expressing worry about her thinness to making assumptions about her personal life.
In response to previous critiques about her body, Grande has addressed the public’s focus on her appearance. She emphasized that comparisons to her past physique were unhelpful, noting that her prior body was the “unhealthiest version” of herself. Grande urged fans to refrain from making assumptions, stating, “You never know what someone is going through. So even if you are coming from a loving place or caring place, that person is probably working on it or has a support system that they are working on it with.”
The public scrutiny of Grande’s relationship with Slater has been ongoing since they began dating during the production of “Wicked” in London in 2022. Both had separated from their previous partners before confirming their relationship in July 2023. The couple has faced criticism and invasive commentary about their personal lives, leading them to address the challenges of navigating a high-profile romance.
Despite the external pressures, Grande has spoken highly of Slater, describing him as someone with an exceptional heart. In a September 2024 interview, she stated, “No one on this earth tries harder or spreads themselves thinner to be there for the people that he loves and cares about. There is no one on this earth with a better heart.”
As public figures, both Grande and Slater continue to balance their professional careers with the challenges of maintaining privacy in their personal lives. The reactions from the Critics Choice Awards highlight the ongoing public interest in their relationship and individual well-being.
