Why Wicked Star Ethan Slater Keeps His Son Private Amid Ariana Grande Romance

Even for one of Hollywood's most talked-about stars, some boundaries remain sacred. Ethan Slater, the actor who plays Boq in the blockbuster Wicked franchise, has opened up about why he refuses to share anecdotes about his young son despite his high-profile relationship with Ariana Grande. His philosophy is simple: he wants his child to meet the world on his own terms.

Ethan Slater son privacy philosophy: An analog approach in a digital world

During a recent episode of 'The Downside With Gianmarco Soresi' podcast, Slater explained his stance on parenting in the spotlight. "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," he stated. By avoiding public anecdotes, Slater is actively guarding his son's future identity from being shaped by his father's fame.

Slater welcomed his son in August 2022 with his then-wife Lilly Jay. In an earlier interview with GQ in October 2024, he described fatherhood as "the best thing in the world," but emphasized his desire for his offspring to experience life in an "analog way" rather than through a celebrity father's public narrative.

Co-parenting with Lilly Jay after the 2024 divorce

The actor's personal life became a media fixture when he began dating his co-star, Ariana Grande. Amidst the frenzy, Slater and Lilly Jay finalized their divorce in September 2024. Despite the public nature of their split, Jay has noted that their commitment to parenthood hasn't changed. In a December 2024 essay for The Cut, she wrote, "Both of us fiercely love our son 100 percent of the time."

Slater admitted that navigating parenthood as a new father has been an "interesting experience," finding hope in quiet moments like lighting Hanukkah candles with his son. While the world watches his romance with Grande unfold, Slater seems determined to keep his role as a father behind a protective curtain of privacy.