The Way Ethan Slater Celebrated Ariana Grande’s Oscar Nomination

Ariana Grande has officially earned her first-ever Oscar nomination, and she is receiving support from her boyfriend, Ethan Slater. The news broke Thursday morning, and the “Wicked” co-stars shared the moment in a low-key yet heartwarming way.

Ariana Grande received a nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her portrayal of Glinda the Good Witch in Jon M. Chu’s 2024 adaptation of “Wicked.”

Slater, who plays Boq in the “Wicked” movie, posted a rare photo of Grande standing on a hotel balcony in London, holding a cluster of light pink balloons.

Grande later re-shared the image on her Instagram Stories, delighting fans with the intimate look into their celebratory day.

Ahead of receiving her first Oscar nomination, Grande reflected on how her role as Glinda in Wicked has left a lasting impression—not just on her craft, but also on her sense of self. Even with the film’s production complete, Grande remains deeply connected to the world of Oz.

“Maybe people underestimate how long we spent finding and disappearing into these women,” Grande shared with Variety during a past interview. “So when certain inflections or mannerisms take time to melt away, sometimes people poke fun. But we had a job to do, and we had things to get lost in—because that’s what the piece required.”

Grande, known for her sharp wit and self-awareness, couldn’t resist poking fun at one physical change that’s lingered from her time as Glinda.

“And, you know, I’m still looking for my eyebrows,” she joked, referring to her daintily shaped, honey-blonde brows—one of many transformations she’s embraced throughout her career. “I’ll let you know if I find them—I hope I don’t.”

The highly anticipated film also stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, Jonathan Bailey as Prince Fiyero, and Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard of Oz.

“Picking my head up in between sobs to say thank you so much to @theacademy for this unfathomable recognition,” she wrote. “I cannot stop crying, to no one’s surprise.”

She described the nomination as “humbled and deeply honored” and praised her fellow nominees as “brilliant actors.”

Grande also took time to applaud the “Wicked” team, giving a heartfelt nod to director Jon M. Chu, who missed out on a Best Director nomination. “Thank you for being the most unbelievably brilliant leader, human being, and most fierce friend,” she wrote. “I am so deeply proud of my beautiful ‘Wicked’ family.”

The singer specifically highlighted her co-star Cynthia Erivo, who received a nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role. “I am so proud of my Elphie, my sister, my dear @cynthiaerivo. Your brilliance is never-ending, and you deserve every flower (tulip) in every garden. I love you unconditionally, always,” Grande added.

She concluded her emotional post with a playful nod to the musical, writing, “lemons and melons and pears, oh my.”

Grande and Slater appear to have celebrated the Oscar news together in London, where they were spotted earlier in the week at a Universal luncheon with Erivo. The couple met on the set of “Wicked” and began dating in 2023, though they’ve kept their relationship largely out of the spotlight due to public criticism.

The “Victorious” alum was previously married to Dalton Gomez for two years, while Slater was married to Lilly Jay for nearly four years before they began dating. Despite early speculation, Grande has firmly denied any overlap between their relationship and their previous marriages.

Grande is up against Monica Barbaro (“A Complete Unknown”), Felicity Jones (“The Brutalist”), Isabella Rossellini (“Conclave”), and Zoe Saldaña (“Emilia Pérez”) in the category. Alongside Grande’s nomination, Wicked scored a total of 10 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Original Score, Costume Design, and Visual Effects.

As Grande basks in her groundbreaking Oscar moment, it’s clear she’s ready to defy gravity on and off the screen.