Ethan Slater Shares Rare Comments About Being a Dad to His 2-Year-Old Son: ‘Best Thing in the World’
Ethan Slater is giving a rare update on his life as a dad to a 2-year-old son.
While speaking with GQ for their cover story published Wednesday, Oct. 30, the Spamalot actor, 31, opened up about how he’s navigating life as a new parent. Slater and his ex-wife Lilly Jay welcomed their son in August 2022 and finalized their divorce in September.
Being a dad “is the best thing in the world,” the Wicked star told the outlet, adding that co-parenting has “been an interesting thing to navigate as a new parent.”
“There’s nothing I want to do more than just show you pictures and talk about him because he’s the best and the light of my life,” Slater continued. “But I also want to give him the opportunity to meet the world on his own terms… to meet the world in an analog way and not through my words.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Theo Wargo/Getty
In July 2023, PEOPLE learned that Ariana Grande, 31, and her Wicked costar were dating. The news of their relationship broke just days after PEOPLE confirmed that Grande had split from her then-husband, Dalton Gomez. That same month, Slater filed for divorce from Jay.
“People have tried to question the timeline. The truth is, Ariana and Ethan didn’t begin seeing each other until after both parties were separated, respectfully,” a source told PEOPLE in September 2023.
The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!
Steve Granitz/WireImage; Eugene Gologursky/Getty
Slater supported the “Yes, And?” hitmaker following her second Saturday Night Live hosting gig on Oct. 12. He was seen attending an afterparty with Grande at neighboring New York City hotspot L’Avenue at Saks.
According to a source, the pair attended with Grande’s close friend Elizabeth Gillies and kept a low profile throughout the evening, avoiding the paparazzi outside.
Grande also recently showed her support for Slater at the opening night of Broadway’s Spamalot. The singer was in the crowd at the St. James Theatre in N.Y.C. for the milestone performance of the Monty Python musical revival, supporting her boyfriend, who plays a variety of roles in the comedy.
