Ethan Slater Explains Why He Doesn't Publicly Speak About His Son in Rare Comments
- - Ethan Slater Explains Why He Doesn't Publicly Speak About His Son in Rare Comments
Hannah SacksJanuary 8, 2026 at 8:58 AM
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Ethan Slater -
Ethan Slater is sharing why he doesn't speak about his son in public
The Wicked actor said he wants the world to meet his son "on his own terms"
Slater shares his son with ex Lilly Jay
Ethan Slater is sharing why he chooses not to discuss his son in public.
The Wicked star, 33, appeared on a recent episode of Gianmarco Soresi's podcast The Downside and explained why he doesn't publicly speak about his son, whom he shares with ex-wife Lilly Jay.
"I try not to tell stories about my son because I want to let him meet the world and let the world meet him on his own terms," Slater explained. "So I don't tell stories or anecdotes."
Back in October 2024, Slater spoke with GQ for a cover story and gave rare comments about parenting his then 2-year-old son.
The actor said that being a dad “is the best thing in the world," adding that co-parenting has "been an interesting thing to navigate as a new parent."
"There’s nothing I want to do more than just show you pictures and talk about him because he’s the best and the light of my life," Slater continued. "But I also want to give him the opportunity to meet the world on his own terms… to meet the world in an analog way and not through my words.”
In July 2023, PEOPLE learned that Ariana Grande and her Wicked costar Slater were dating. The news of their relationship broke just days after PEOPLE confirmed that Grande had split from her then-husband, Dalton Gomez. That same month, Slater filed for divorce from Jay.
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Ethan Slater, Ariana Grande
In December 2024, Slater's ex-wife Jay penned an essay for The Cut and spoke about her relationship with her ex, which ended while Slater was filming Wicked. At the time, Jay said that although their partnership looks different, the former couple are prioritizing their child.
"While our partnership has changed, our parenthood has not," Jay wrote. "Both of us fiercely love our son 100% of the time, regardless of how our parenting time is divided."
"As for me, days with my son are sunny. Days when I can't escape the promotion of a movie associated with the saddest days of my life are darker," she added.
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This past November, a source told PEOPLE that Grande and Slater are still going strong and are “making it work” despite their jam-packed schedules.
“They both have a lot going on, but their relationship is the real deal,” the source said. “They’re incredibly supportive of each other’s careers and so excited for everyone to see their new film.”
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
