Critics Choice Awards: Ethan Slater Details Ariana Grande’s Raw Emotions Over Oscar Nomination
What is this feeling? Gratitude.
As Wicked star Ethan Slater walked the red carpet of the 2025 Critics Choice Awards—hosted by Chelsea Handler—on Feb. 7, he commented on the flood of thankfulness that girlfriend Ariana Grande has been experiencing in response to her recent Oscar nomination.
“She’s been doing so much promoting the movie, so I think you’ve definitely seen the moments between the crying,” he exclusively told E! News correspondent Will Marfuggi, “but it’s a really emotional thing and it’s beautiful.”
And it’s no secret that Ariana—who has been dating Ethan since 2023—has been overwhelmed with tears for the recognition that she and the whole Wicked team have received, including 11 total Critics Choice Awards nominations.
“Picking my head up in between sobs to say thank you so much to @theacademy for this unfathomable recognition,” she wrote on Instagram Jan. 23 following her Oscar nod. “I cannot stop crying, to no one’s surprise. i’m humbled and deeply honored to be in such brilliant company and sharing this with tiny ari who sat and studied Judy Garland singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow just before the big, beautiful bubble entered.”
