Ariana Grande‘s relationship with Ethan Slater is making headlines again, thanks to the actor’s ex-wife, Lily Jay. The co-stars fell in love while filming the movie musical Wicked. In the process, they ended their respective marriages — Grande divorced Dalton Gomez after two years of marriage. In the aftermath of a public divorce, characterized by an alleged affair between Slater and Grande, Jay is speaking up.
Dr. Lily Jay touched on Slater’s romance with Grande — without mentioning the actress’ name — in an essay for The Cut. “No one gets married thinking they’ll get divorced, in the same way, we don’t board a plane expecting to crash,” she began. “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.” Jay admitted to being in a “season of shock and mourning.” She then lamented missing the “invisibility” of her former life before her divorce threw her into the spotlight.
The psychologist, who specializes in women’s mental health, wrote about her love for “privacy,” which drove her to deactivate Facebook at 18. However, that wasn’t the case for Slater due to his career. “My partner was on a different path, in which social media and exposure were not impediments but rather necessities,” she wrote. As a result, she out up with the “tenuous balance.” Unfortunately, it all came crumbling down shortly after she gave birth and moved to London while Slater work edon Wicked.
“I confidently moved to another country with my 2-month-old baby and my husband to support his career. Consumed by the magic and mundanity of new motherhood, I didn’t understand the growing distance between us.”
Ethan Slater’s Ex Says Ariana Grande Romance Affected Her Career
Jay wrote that she focused on motherhood while trying to accept “the sudden public downfall of my marriage.” Describing her divorce as “nothing to be ashamed of,” she added:
“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.”
While their marriage is over, Jay and Slater still maintain a good co-parenting relationship. “Both of us fiercely love our son 100 percent of the time, regardless of how our parenting time is divided. As for me, days with my son are sunny.” she penned. However, sespite basking in the joys of motherhood, Lily Jay continues to be reminded of her pain, especially with the heavy promotion of Wicked. She wrote:
“Days when I can’t escape the promotion of a movie associated with the saddest days of my life are darker.”
In addition, her career seems to be suffering due to unflattering spotlight. “I can’t say for sure how much my career has been impacted by what’s out there online,” Jay wrote. “But there have been hints along the way, like the job offer that dissolved without explanation after yet another tabloid news cycle or the patient who’s scheduled for a first appointment but seemingly vanishes.”
However, the mother-of-one insists she is “okay,” while telling her patients, “I’m sorry I can’t be invisible anymore.” Lily Jay concluded the emotional essay, embracing her new visibility while encouraging her clients to do the same.
Jay and Slater’s divorce was finalized in September 2024 after about six years of marriage. They welcomed their son in August 2022, less than a year before debuting his relationship with Grande. The songstress has, however, denied speculations of an affair, calling them “a less accurate depiction.”
