An Inside Source Claims Ariana & Ethan Are Going Through A Rough Patch After She Received 'Hateful Messages'
If you're a fan of the singer or have been keeping up with pop culture news over the last year, then you likely remember when pop star Ariana Grande and Tony nominee started getting photographed together, and the news broke that they were in a relationship. It ended up being quite a scandal, because they began as co-stars and friends while filming the infamous 2024 Wicked movie-musical adaptation, but it later came out that they had started seeing each other romantically. The "Twilight Zone" singer was fresh off her divorce from Dalton Gomez, but it wasn't clear what was going on with Ethan, as for years, he had been married to his high school sweetheart, Lilly Jay, with whom he shares a two-year-old son.
Not long after word got out about Ariana and Ethan's on and eventually, off-set romance, Ethan reportedly filed for divorce from his wife, causing the internet to buzz. The singer was hit with "homewrecker" claims and other nasty messages, to the point where she had to ask her followers and other internet users to stop sending "hateful messages" to her loved ones on Instagram, not long after putting out her seventh studio album.
Although they eventually moved on from all the drama, and the pair seemingly continued their romantic relationship out of the spotlight, an inside source has come forward to explain that ahead of the second Wicked film release, they've entered a rough patch, and it's unclear how long they'll stay together.
Insider Claims Ethan Is 'Drowning' While Trying To Adjust To Ariana's Lifestyle
Given they're both performers and both acting in the same movies, it seemed like the couple wouldn't have much of a problem keeping up with each other. However, an inside source recently told the Daily Mail that now that Ariana's career is back in full swing, with an upcoming arena tour, the SpongeBob: The Musical performer is having a tough time keeping up with her demanding schedule and lifestyle.
"He sometimes wonders if he should have stayed in his quieter world; the contrast is brutal," the source told the publication.
Reports have come out that despite her emotional essay on going through a separation and divorce after giving birth, Lilly, who is a psychologist, and Ethan have made amends so they can co-parent their son, but being an involved father while dating a megastar is allegedly proving to be difficult for him.
"He loves her, but he's drowning in the circus of her life," a source added. "He's used to a controlled Broadway stage, not sold-out arenas screaming for every move. Even when he's home, he's mentally halfway through the tour or rehearsals. It's exhausting just watching him try to keep up."
We'll be curious to see what the future holds for this unexpected duo, and whether or not their romance lasts past the premiere of Wicked: For Good and her 'Eternal Sunshine' tour.