Ethan Slater is a famous American actor and singer. He rose to fame playing SpongeBob SquarePants on Broadway. His personal life made major headlines in 2023.
The Tony-nominated star met his ex-wife in high school. They were together for over a decade before splitting. His divorce became global news due to his new romance. Today, he is dating Ariana Grande after his marriage ended.
Ethan Slater Wiki/Bio
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ethan Samuel Slater |
| Birth Date | June 2, 1992 |
| Age | 33 years (as of 2026) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Actor, Singer, Composer |
| Marriages | 1 |
| Ex-Wife Name | Lilly Jay |
| Current Partner | Ariana Grande (dating) |
| Children | 1 son (born August 2022) |
| Net Worth | $3 million |
| Wealth Sources | Broadway, Film, TV, Voice Work |
| Known For | SpongeBob SquarePants Musical, Wicked |
| Relationship Timeline | 2012-2023 (with Lilly Jay) |
Ethan Slater Ex Wife Overview
Ethan Slater has 1 ex-wife named Lilly Jay. He married her in 2018 after 6 years of dating. The couple divorced in 2023 after 5 years of marriage.
Lilly is a clinical psychologist by profession. She and Ethan were high school sweethearts. Their split was highly publicized due to his new relationship. The divorce was finalized in September 2024.
Ethan Slater First Ex Wife – Lilly Jay
Lilly Jay WIKI/BIO
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lilly Jay |
| Birth Date | 1992 (exact date private) |
| Age | 33 years (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Washington, D.C., USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Clinical Psychologist |
| Height | 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm) |
| Weight | 115 lbs (52 kg) |
| Body Measurements | 32-25-34 inches |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Body Type / Build | Slim |
| Shoe Size | 6 (US) |
| Dress Size | 2 (US) |
| Bra Size | 32B |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Spouse (Ethan Slater) | 2018 to 2023 |
| Children | 1 son (born August 2022) |
| Net Worth | $500,000 (estimated) |
| Income Sources | Psychology Practice, Consulting |
| Known For | Perinatal Mental Health, Ethan Slater Divorce |
Lilly Jay married Ethan Slater in November 2018 . The couple had been dating since 2012 as college sophomores. They first met in high school at Georgetown Day School. Their relationship lasted over 11 years total.
The divorce was filed on July 26, 2023 by Ethan . He cited irreconcilable differences as the reason. The split came just days after his romance with Ariana Grande went public. Lilly later called her family “collateral damage” in the media storm .
Lilly is a highly educated clinical psychologist. She earned her doctorate from Long Island University in 2020 . She specializes in perinatal mental health and child development. She worked at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia supporting pregnant women.
She gave a White House speech in 2014 about campus assault. President Barack Obama and Joe Biden attended that event . Lilly values her privacy above all else. She avoids social media to protect her patients.
Ethan Slater Relationship Timeline
| Wife/Partner | Married | Divorced/Split | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lilly Jay | 2018 | 2023 | High school sweethearts; 1 son |
| Ariana Grande | Not married | Dating since 2023 | Met on Wicked set |
Ethan Slater Current Relationship
Ethan Slater is currently dating Ariana Grande. They met while filming Wicked in London. Production began in December 2022 . Their romance became public in July 2023.
Both were married to other people when they met. Ariana separated from Dalton Gomez in January 2023. Ethan filed for divorce from Lilly Jay in July 2023. The couple has faced affair rumors since day one.
Ethan Slater Real Name
Ethan Slater’s real name is Ethan Samuel Slater . He has never used a stage name professionally. His full name appears on Broadway credits and movie roles. He was born in Washington, D.C. to a Jewish family.
Ethan Slater Early Life and Education
Ethan was born on June 2, 1992 in Washington, D.C. He attended Georgetown Day School for high school. He graduated in 2010 with his future ex-wife Lilly. Later, he studied at Vassar College in New York.
He earned a degree in drama from Vassar in 2014. Ethan performed in school plays from a young age. He moved to New York City right after college. He worked odd jobs while auditioning for Broadway.
Ethan Slater Parents and Family
Ethan’s parents are both artistically inclined. His father worked in theater production. His mother supported his acting dreams from childhood. He has kept their names private over the years.
He comes from a close-knit Jewish family. Ethan often credits his parents for his work ethic. They attended his Tony Awards in 2018. His family has stayed quiet during his divorce drama.
Ethan Slater Marriages and Relationships
Ethan Slater has been married 1 time in his life. He has 1 ex-wife named Lilly Jay. He is currently dating Ariana Grande without marriage.
He started dating Lilly in 2012 as a college student. They married in 2018 after six years together. The couple separated in July 2023 amid cheating rumors. Ethan moved on with Ariana just days later.
Ethan Slater Ex Wife Details
His only ex-wife is Lilly Jay, a clinical psychologist. They share 1 son born in August 2022. The marriage lasted 5 years from 2018 to 2023. Their divorce was finalized in September 2024 .
Lilly has spoken publicly about her heartbreak once. She wrote an essay for The Cut in December 2024. She called the experience the “saddest days” of her life . She now focuses on raising their son and her practice.
Ethan Slater Current Partner
Ethan Slater is dating Ariana Grande as of 2026. She is a global pop superstar and actress. They met on the set of Wicked in London. Their relationship began in early 2023 while both were married.
The couple has faced intense public scrutiny. They have defended their relationship timeline multiple times. Ariana called the affair rumors a “hellish feeling” . They continue to date privately away from cameras.
Ethan Slater Age, Height, Weight and Appearance
Ethan Slater is 33 years old today. He was born in 1992. His height is 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm). He weighs around 150 lbs (68 kg).
He has brown eyes and dark brown hair. His body build is slim and athletic. He maintains his look for stage performances. He is considered boyish and energetic on screen.
Ethan Slater Career
Ethan Slater made his Broadway debut in 2016. He starred in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Then came his big break as SpongeBob SquarePants.
He played SpongeBob in the Broadway musical from 2017 to 2018. The role earned him a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor. He won the Outer Critics Circle Award for the performance . He became a household name overnight.
Ethan has appeared on TV shows like Law & Order: SVU. He played a role in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. He also voiced characters in animated series. His biggest film role is Boq in the Wicked movies.
The two-part Wicked film adaptation releases in 2024 and 2025. He stars alongside Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. The movie is expected to be a massive hit worldwide. His salary for Wicked is estimated at $500,000 .
Ethan Slater Net Worth and Income Sources
Ethan Slater’s net worth is around $3 million as of 2026. He earns from Broadway contracts and film roles. His monthly income exceeds $20,000 from various projects. He also makes money from voice-over work.
He earns royalties from the SpongeBob musical. His Wicked salary added significantly to his wealth. He owns a home in New York City valued at $1 million. His divorce settlement with Lilly Jay was private.
Ethan Slater Legacy and Fame
Ethan Slater is a Broadway legend for his SpongeBob role. He proved that video game musicals can win awards. He inspired a generation of young theater actors. His performance was critically acclaimed worldwide.
He is also famous for his tabloid romance with Ariana Grande. The controversy made him a household name globally. He went from theater star to mainstream celebrity. His legacy includes both artistic and personal headlines.
Ethan Slater Nationality and Religion
Ethan Slater’s nationality is American. He was born in Washington, D.C.. His religion is Judaism. He was raised in a Jewish household celebrating traditions.
He does not speak publicly about faith often. But he has attended cultural events related to Judaism. His family background is Ashkenazi Jewish from Europe.
Ethan Slater Future Plans
Ethan plans to promote Wicked: For Good in 2025. He will attend red carpet events worldwide. He is also developing a new Broadway musical as a producer.
He wants to write and compose original music for film. Ethan hopes to direct a stage play in the future. He is looking for more dramatic acting roles on screen.
Ethan Slater Divorce Controversies
Ethan’s divorce from Lilly Jay was highly controversial. He was accused of cheating with Ariana Grande. The timeline of both separations looked very suspicious . Fans called their romance an “affair” on social media.
Lilly called Ariana “not a girl’s girl” after the news broke . She said her family was just “collateral damage” . The media scrutiny was intense and painful for Lilly. Ethan has never publicly apologized for the situation.
Ethan Slater Personal Life
Ethan is a devoted father to his young son. He calls parenthood the “best thing in the world” . He shares custody with his ex-wife Lilly Jay. He keeps his son’s identity private from the media.
He is a foodie who loves cooking Italian meals. Ethan enjoys playing video games in his free time. He is also a comic book collector. He has been sober from alcohol since his 20s.
Ethan Slater Popular TV Shows
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2016)
- The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2019)
- Murphy Brown (2018)
- The Tonight Show (multiple appearances)
- Good Morning America (guest spots)
Ethan Slater Public Image
Ethan Slater has a mixed public image today. Theater fans love his talent and energy. But tabloid readers see him as a homewrecker. He has tried to stay positive despite the hate.
He rarely defends himself in public interviews. He focuses on his work and his son. His co-stars call him kind and professional. The controversy may fade as Wicked succeeds.
Ethan Slater Lifestyle
Ethan lives in a $1 million apartment in New York City. He also spends time in Los Angeles for film work. He drives a Tesla Model 3 for daily errands. He flies economy class for personal trips.
He enjoys casual dining at local spots. He shops at Target and Whole Foods. His lifestyle is modest for a Hollywood star. He invests in real estate and stocks quietly.
Ethan Slater Movies / TV Shows
- SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical (2017-2018)
- Wicked (2024, as Boq)
- Wicked: For Good (2025, as Boq)
- The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (TV, 2019)
- Law & Order: SVU (TV, 2016)
- Murphy Brown (TV, 2018)
- The Tap (short film, 2019)
- Broadway.com #LiveatFive (web series)
- The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage (2019)
- Sesame Street (voice cameo)
Ethan Slater Hobbies
- Cooking Italian pasta dishes
- Playing video games (Nintendo)
- Collecting comic books
- Reading graphic novels
- Hiking in Central Park
- Watching animated movies
- Playing the piano
- Writing original songs
- Swimming at the YMCA
- Traveling to Japan
Ethan Slater Favorite Things
- Food: Pizza Margherita
- Drink: Iced coffee
- Actor: Robin Williams
- Movie: The Emperor’s New Groove
- TV Show: The Simpsons
- Band: The Beatles
- Video Game: Zelda franchise
- Book: The Hobbit
- Vacation Spot: Tokyo, Japan
- Color: Blue
Ethan Slater Interesting Facts
- Ethan was nominated for a Tony Award in 2018.
- He played SpongeBob in over 300 Broadway shows.
- He and his ex-wife were high school classmates.
- His son was born with a life-threatening complication called preeclampsia .
- He gave a White House speech in 2014.
- Ethan has a 3 million net worth from acting.
- He met Ariana Grande on the Wicked set in London.
- His divorce was finalized in September 2024 .
- He keeps his son’s name completely private.
- Ethan can play 4 musical instruments.
FAQs
Who is Ethan Slater’s ex wife?
Lilly Jay is Ethan Slater’s only ex-wife. She is a clinical psychologist specializing in perinatal health. They were married from 2018 to 2023 and share one son.
How long were Ethan Slater and Lilly Jay married?
Ethan and Lilly were married for 5 years. They tied the knot in November 2018. Their divorce was finalized in September 2024 after a 14-month process.
What is Lilly Jay’s net worth?
Lilly Jay net worth is estimated at $500,000. She earns from her psychology practice and consulting work. Her divorce settlement from Ethan Slater is private.
Does Ethan Slater have children with his ex wife?
Yes, Ethan has 1 son with his ex-wife Lilly Jay. The boy was born in August 2022. His name has never been publicly revealed for privacy reasons.
Why did Ethan Slater and Lilly Jay divorce?
Ethan filed for divorce in July 2023 amid his romance with Ariana Grande. Lilly said she “didn’t understand the growing distance” between them . The couple cited irreconcilable differences as the legal reason.
Conclusion
Ethan Slater is 33 years old with a rising Hollywood career. He has been married 1 time to his ex-wife Lilly Jay. Their marriage lasted 5 years from 2018 to 2023. They share 1 young son born in 2022.
His current partner is pop star Ariana Grande. Ethan’s net worth stands at $3 million today. He overcame public scandal and divorce controversy. His career remains strong with the Wicked films.
The Broadway star proves that talent can survive personal chaos. He continues to perform and make new music. Ethan Slater will be remembered for both SpongeBob and his tabloid romance. His life shows that fame comes with very public consequences.
