The controversy surrounding Wicked’s film adaptation has taken a dark turn with the revelation of an unseemly love triangle involving pop star Ariana Grande and her co-star Ethan Slater. The production, which was intended to recreate the magic of The Wizard of Oz, is now facing a wave of online hatred and calls to boycott the film.
Ariana, 31, was revealed to be dating Slater in July 2023, just after the end of her two-year marriage to estate agent husband Dalton Gomez. However, reports suggest that the pair had already started dating months earlier. Adding to the controversy, it emerged that Slater was still married to his high school sweetheart Lilly Jay, with whom he had a son, at the time he began his romance with Ariana.
Lilly, a psychologist specialising in pregnancy and postpartum mental health, described the breakdown of her marriage as “the saddest days of my life” in an article for US publication The Cut. She revealed that she had moved to the UK to support Ethan’s career, but didn’t understand the growing distance between them. Her words have only served to enrage Wicked fans, with some calling on cinema-goers to boycott the film.
Meanwhile, Ethan has been showering Ariana with compliments at any opportunity. On actress Jennifer Hudson’s talk show, he described her as “so funny, a comedy genius, she’s amazing.” He has also met Ariana’s family, including her father and sister, and received her brother Frankie’s blessing.
The situation is far from ideal for Florida-born Ariana, whose career has revolved around being a role model for girls and young women. She has faced criticism for her involvement in the love triangle, with some fans calling her out for being “unfaithful” to her ex-husband. However, friends of Ariana and Ethan say that they are relieved Lilly didn’t “throw them under the bus.”
As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen what the implications will be for Wicked’s box office performance. A boycott could cost Universal Pictures millions, but fans of the musical may still flock to see the film, despite the controversy.
Conclusion:
The controversy surrounding Wicked’s film adaptation has put a dark cloud over the production, with fans and critics alike calling out the love triangle involving Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater. While the situation is far from ideal for Ariana, who has been criticized for her involvement, it remains to be seen how the controversy will impact the film’s box office performance.
FAQs:
Q: When did Ariana Grande start dating Ethan Slater?
A: Reports suggest that Ariana and Ethan started dating months before their relationship was made public in July 2023.
Q: Was Ethan Slater still married when he started dating Ariana?
A: Yes, Ethan was still married to his high school sweetheart Lilly Jay at the time he began his romance with Ariana.
Q: Has Ariana’s family publicly reacted to the controversy?
A: Yes, Ariana’s brother Frankie has given his blessing to her relationship with Ethan, and the couple has been seen together with her father and sister.
Q: What are the implications for Wicked’s box office performance?
A: A boycott could cost Universal Pictures millions, but fans of the musical may still flock to see the film, despite the controversy.
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