Before she was a global pop powerhouse, a two-time Grammy winner, and a powerhouse actress taking on the iconic role of Glinda in Wicked, Ariana Grande was a high-spirited teenager captivating audiences on Broadway and Nickelodeon. Throughout her meteoric rise, Ariana’s personal life has been heavily mirrored in her art, fueling some of the most raw, celebrated pop anthems of our generation.
The Ariana Grande relationships archive reads like a beautiful, emotional map of her growth, featuring high-profile music collaborators, whirlwind engagements, and a quiet marriage. Today, Ariana is navigating a fresh era of personal and professional maturity, focusing heavily on her global Wicked eras and music.
Table of Contents
Ariana Grande Relationships
Let’s take a chronological walk through the major relationships and meaningful connections that define Ariana’s romantic journey.
Graham Phillips (2008–2011)
Long before she became a household name, Ariana’s very first public romance blossomed right where her professional career began: on a Broadway stage.
- The Teenage Broadway Sweethearts: At just 15 years old, Ariana met actor Graham Phillips (known for his roles in The Good Wife and Riverdale) while co-starring in the 2008 Broadway production of 13: The Musical. The talented young couple dated for three years, even collaborating on a sweet YouTube duet called “Stick Around” in 2010. They split amicably in 2011 as Ariana transitioned to television, but they have maintained an incredibly warm, supportive friendship over the decades.
Ariana Grande and Big Sean (2014–2015)
After a brief fling with late-2013 flame Nathan Sykes, Ariana stepped into her first major, high-profile celebrity power couple dynamic with rapper Big Sean.
- The Musical Chemistry: After collaborating on her hit tracks “Right There” and “Best Mistake,” Ariana and Big Sean officially went public in October 2014. The duo became red carpet fixtures, famously holding hands at the 2015 Grammy Awards. However, after eight passionate months, the stars released a joint statement in April 2015 announcing their split due to conflicting international tour schedules. Ariana later immortalized him with grace in her 2018 mega-hit “Thank U, Next” with the opening line, “Thought I’d end up with Sean / But he wasn’t a match.”
Ricky Alvarez (2015–2016)
In the summer of 2015, Ariana found love close to home when she began dating one of her talented backup dancers, Ricky Alvarez.
- The Low-Key Backup Romance: Ricky was famously by Ariana’s side during her infamous, headline-grabbing “donut-licking” controversy in 2015. Their low-key, sweet romance lasted for about a year, inspiring her track “Moonlight.” The couple quietly parted ways in July 2016, remaining on excellent terms. Ariana playfully referenced him in “Thank U, Next” as well, singing, “Wrote some songs about Ricky / Now I listen and laugh.”
Ariana Grande and Mac Miller (2016–2018)
One of the most profound, deeply emotional chapters of Ariana’s life was her two-year relationship with the late, brilliant rapper Mac Miller.
- From “The Way” to Real Life: The pair first showcased their undeniable chemistry in the 2013 music video for Ariana’s breakout single “The Way,” but they didn’t officially begin dating until August 2016. They built a deeply supportive partnership, with Miller famously standing by her side following the tragic Manchester arena bombing in 2017. They ultimately split in May 2018 due to the complexities of their demanding lives, but maintained immense love for one another. Following Miller’s heartbreaking passing in September 2018, Ariana continuously honored his memory, weaving her grief and deep affection into tracks like “Ghostin'” and “Better Off.”
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Pete Davidson (2018)
In May 2018, just weeks after her split from Mac Miller, Ariana entered a whirlwind, internet-breaking romance with Saturday Night Live comedian Pete Davidson.
- The Whirlwind Engagement: The relationship moved at lightning speed. Within mere weeks of dating, Pete popped the question with a $100,000 diamond ring. The summer of 2018 was dominated by “Grandson” mania, complete with matching tattoos, public PDA, a shared pet teacup pig, and a track titled “Pete Davidson” on her Sweetener album. However, following a summer of intense media scrutiny and the emotional weight of Mac Miller’s passing, the couple called off their engagement in October 2018, recognizing things had moved too fast.
Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez (2020–2023)
Seeking a step back from highly publicized celebrity romances, Ariana found solace in luxury real estate agent Dalton Gomez at the start of 2020.
- The Pandemic Marriage and Quiet Split: The pair grew incredibly close while quarantining together during the COVID-19 pandemic, making their debut in the “Stuck with U” music video. Dalton proposed in December 2020, and the couple officially tied the knot in an ultra-private, intimate ceremony at Ariana’s home in Montecito, California, in May 2021. However, the bi-coastal and international distance of Ariana’s post-pandemic schedule, specifically her moving to the UK to film Wicked, strained the marriage. They quietly separated in January 2023 and amicably finalized their divorce.
Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater (2023–2026)
While filming the sprawling movie adaptation of Wicked in London, Ariana crossed paths with Broadway actor and co-star Ethan Slater, who played Boq.
- The Wicked Era and Recent Separation: Rumors first sparked in July 2023 that the two had begun dating after both had separated from their respective spouses. The romance drew heavy tabloid speculation, which Ariana later slammed as highly inaccurate, defending Ethan’s beautiful heart in a Vanity Fair profile. The couple stayed resilient, supporting each other at Broadway shows and global Wicked premieres. However, after nearly three years together, reports confirmed that Ariana and Ethan quietly split, remaining on excellent, deeply supportive terms as friends as Ariana shifts her focus to her global stadium tour and future creative endeavors.
CelebLoves Commentary: Ariana Grande’s romantic evolution proves that finding yourself is the ultimate destination. From the whirlwind public storms of her early twenties to the reflective, mature energy she carries today, Ariana has continuously converted her heartbreaks into creative triumphs, showing the world what it truly means to say, “thank u, next.”
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