Why Ariana Grande walked the Golden Globes alone

With her boyfriend Ethan Slater Nowhere in Sight and his longtime “Wicked” co-star Cynthia Erivo also absent from her side, the questions quickly followed.

However, behind the whispers and speculation, friends now say the truth is far more calculated, intentional and revealing than it first appeared.

When Grande hit the Golden Globes red carpet to debut her brunette transformation, it wasn’t just her look that grabbed attention.

Slater was missing and she was accompanied by her longtime friend Doug Middlebrook. For many, this reignited the rumors that have followed the couple for months.

Insiders insist the absence was not a sign of trouble but rather a sign of strategy. A source explained to Daily Mail“Ariana put Ethan on the back burner while she promoted the movie.” The decision, they say, was about optics and focus rather than distance.

Despite the discussions, those close to the couple say their relationship is stable.

The insider added, “But they’re in a solid place now. They’re like an old married couple at home. They’d rather spend time together and do simple things like play board games or binge-watch shows than go out to fancy places.”

Grande’s solo moment wasn’t a hint of a breakup, but a carefully chosen move during a highly scrutinized awards season.

The release of “Wicked: For Good” put Grande front and center alongside Cynthia Erivo for an intense promotional tour across the world.

The duo traveled across continents, creating an image of unity and star power that studios depend on for buzz.

Slater, who plays Boq in the film, intentionally took on a more low-key role. Although he appeared at some premieres and a single-cast Q&A, he largely stayed out of the spotlight.

Insiders say it was no accident. “Ethan knew the Ariana and Cynthia thing was all about marketing for the movie. Ariana had to be front and center with Cynthia. They were both everywhere and Ethan was nowhere,” a source revealed.

The insider added that Slater understands the hierarchy at play.

They said, “Even though he’s in the movie, he’s not a sales tool like Ariana and Cynthia. He’s a pro and he understands the business. That’s why he was OK with it.”

The Golden Globes appearance followed the same logic, keeping the narrative clean and focused.

Public curiosity peaked when Slater appeared on the “Today” show and was asked about the possibility of working alongside Grande. Rather than directly addressing their relationship, he focused on the bigger picture.

He described the cast as “amazing”, praised Grande as “brilliant” and called Erivo “remarkable”, noting that witnessing their performances up close was a “pretty special” experience.

Its cautious wording reflected the couple’s decision to avoid posing together at promotional events. Instead of making headlines, they opted for discretion.

Behind the scenes, however, Slater continued to support Grande, including being spotted backstage on “Saturday Night Live” when she hosted the holiday episode.

More recently, subtle social media posts have suggested their relationship remains intact.

The couple shared moments from a Boxing Day gathering, including clips of Grande smiling with her dog Toulouse, later reposted with pink heart stickers.

While Grande’s relationship with Slater appears stable, her once-constant pairing with Erivo has noticeably cooled.

When “Wicked” aired, the two seemed inseparable, often joking about their “secret marriage” and sharing emotional moments on red carpets.

Today, sources say the dynamic has changed. “Ariana and Cynthia definitely forged a bond while filming Wicked and the sequel, but the truth is they never dated when the cameras weren’t there,” the source explained. “They were never the best of friends. Their relationship was purely professional. Right now, they’re moving in completely different directions career-wise.”

Another source pushed back on the spinoff idea, offering a gentler explanation.

“They don’t talk as much because they don’t promote the movie together every day, but that’s it,” the second source said. “When they finished promoting, they needed some space. It was a lot. Intense. Nothing bad, but they were together for weeks, so now it’s like, ‘Let’s look at other friends.’ It’s not something that was said, it’s just organic. It’s not dramatic. It’s still love.