News | Entertainment
17 Jan 2026 19:11
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Ethan Slater has settled his divorce from Lilly Jay

    The Broadway actor - who is now dating Ariana Grande - split from his high school sweetheart in summer 2023 amid claims he had grown close to his 'Wicked' co-star, and the pair have now agreed the terms of their split and had their divorce signed off by a judge, TMZ reports.


    It is unclear how the former couple have agreed to split their assets or custody of their two-year-old son.

    The 32-year-old actor and Ariana went public with their romance last October, three months after they split.

    After Ethan filed for divorce last July, Lilly hit out at the 'Thank U, Next' hitmaker - whose marriage to Dalton Gomez also ended in 2023 - and said her family had been "collateral damage".

    She told the New York Post newspaper's Page Six column: "[Ariana's] the story really. Not a girl's girl.

    "My family is just collateral damage.

    "The story is her and Dalton [Gomez, Ariana's estranged husband]."

    Earlier this year, Ariana voiced her frustration over the speculation surrounding her relationship.

    Addressing the conversation around her personal life, she told 'The Zach Sang Show': "I feel like we don't need to go into any specifics.

    "But of course, there's an insatiable frustration, inexplicable, hellish feeling with watching people misunderstand the people you love, and you and anything."

    Ariana previously described 2023 as one of the "most challenging" years of her life.

    She wrote on Instagram: "one of the most transformative, most challenging, and yet happiest and most special years of my life. there were so many beautiful and yet polarized feelings.

    "i've never felt more at the mercy of and in acceptance of what life was screaming to teach me. i've never felt more fulfilled by or present in my work, being able to cherish every moment. i gave everything i could have possibly given of my heart and of myself to the projects i was fortunate enough to be a part of and learned so much from every brilliant, beautiful, soul that i had the privilege of creating art with and crossing paths with this year.

    "i have never felt more pride or joy or love while simultaneously feeling so deeply misunderstood by people who don't know me, who piece whispers together and make what they want out of me and their assumptions of my life. i have learned how much more important one of those things is than the other. (sic)"

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     17 Jan: Paul Hardcastle's son has died in a motorcycle accident
     17 Jan: Ariana Grande says Mac Miller "encouraged her to be herself" as she moved into music
     17 Jan: Stephen Graham has signed a first-look deal with Disney+
     17 Jan: Jennifer Lopez shopped "museum-quality archival couture" to find her Golden Globes dress
     17 Jan: Emilia Clarke had a "full mental breakdown" after Game of Thrones ended
     17 Jan: Candace Cameron Bure has endured "really low lows" during her marriage
     17 Jan: Evan Peters was "shocked" to find out Jessica Lange is returning to American Horror Story
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Former All Blacks wing Grant Batty is being remembered for his bravery on the rugby field and ability to energise a crowd More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    An additional OCR cut is not expected for a while, and there even could be a hike More...



     Today's News

    Motoring:
    A vehicle fire has closed part of State Highway 1 in North Otago 18:57

    Entertainment:
    Paul Hardcastle's son has died in a motorcycle accident 18:53

    Soccer:
    Manager Bev Priestman is drilling toughness into her Wellington Phoenix side ahead of their A-League women's clash at Canberra United 18:37

    Entertainment:
    Ariana Grande says Mac Miller "encouraged her to be herself" as she moved into music 18:23

    Rugby:
    Former All Blacks wing Grant Batty is being remembered for his bravery on the rugby field and ability to energise a crowd 18:07

    Entertainment:
    Stephen Graham has signed a first-look deal with Disney+ 17:53

    Accident and Emergency:
    Two people have serious injuries after a vehicle left the road in Bay of Plenty's Whakatane 17:27

    Entertainment:
    Jennifer Lopez shopped "museum-quality archival couture" to find her Golden Globes dress 17:23

    Rugby League:
    Improving his personal best is the goal for Sam Ruthe when he lines up with Sam Tanner in the 800 metres at the Potts Classic in Hastings tonight 16:57

    Entertainment:
    Emilia Clarke had a "full mental breakdown" after Game of Thrones ended 16:53


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd