Ethan Slater’s former wife speaks out about his relationship with Ariana Grande
Ethan Slater’s ex-wife, Lilly Jay, has opened up about the emotional toll of watching him move on with his Wicked co-star Ariana Grande while she cares for their young son, calling it «the saddest days of my life.»
Slater, 32, and Grande, 31, first met in 2022 on the set of the film adaptation of the popular musical, while both were still married. Ariana plays Glinda, the good witch, while Ethan portrays Boq.
Lilly, 32, shared her heartbreak over seeing her ex-husband travel the world promoting Wicked with the woman he left her for, describing it as a painful reminder of the «public downfall of my marriage.»
Lilly Jay revealed she moved to Britain with their newborn to support Ethan during the filming of Wicked, but he later left her for Ariana Grande.
In an essay for The Cut, Lilly, a clinical psychologist, shared her struggles as a single mother after their six-year marriage ended.
She spoke of the painful reminder of the movie’s promotion, saying, «No one gets married expecting to get divorced.»
Lilly also expressed her shock at the timing of the divorce, especially after the birth of their first child and in the wake of Ethan’s new relationship with a celebrity.
Lilly Jay reflected on how her career has been impacted by her public divorce, citing instances like a vanished job offer and a canceled appointment.
Despite the challenges, she believes a brighter future awaits her and her child.
She concluded by saying that, if she can’t remain invisible, it’s time to share her story, using her own pain to connect with others.
Lilly Jay reflected on the fragility of happiness during her pregnancy, surviving preeclampsia and believing her family was complete.
Despite postpartum challenges, she moved abroad with her baby and husband to support his career.
Jay and Ethan Slater finalized their divorce in September after separating the year before. Slater filed for divorce in July 2023, five years after their marriage.
