Ariana Grande’s dating history reflects a journey of personal evolution, public scrutiny, and profound musical inspiration. Her most significant past relationships include long-term partnerships with Mac Miller and Big Sean, a high-profile engagement to Pete Davidson, and a marriage to real estate agent Dalton Gomez that concluded in 2024. Currently, she is in a relationship with her Wicked co-star, Ethan Slater.
The trajectory of Ariana Grande’s romantic life has rarely stayed out of the headlines, yet the singer has mastered the art of reclaiming her narrative through her discography. From the Broadway-bound innocence of her teenage years to the complex emotional landscapes explored in her 2024 album Eternal Sunshine, Grande’s relationships have served as both a private refuge and a public catalyst for her art. Understanding her past relationships requires looking beyond the tabloid fodder to see how these connections shaped her into the artist she is today in 2026.
The Formative Years: Graham Phillips and Jai Brooks
Before the "Dangerous Woman" era and the global superstardom that followed, Ariana Grande’s romantic life was centered around her transition from a Broadway performer to a Nickelodeon star. Her first notable public relationship was with actor Graham Phillips. The two met in 2008 while starring in the Broadway musical 13. Their relationship lasted approximately three years, ending in 2011. Despite the split, the two remained on excellent terms, occasionally reuniting for friendly dinners and supporting each other’s careers over the following decade.
In 2012, Grande entered the digital age of dating with Jai Brooks, a member of the Australian YouTube comedy group The Janoskians. This relationship was characterized by the challenges of long distance and the intensity of social media fandom. The couple dated on and off between 2012 and 2014. Their first breakup in 2013 was particularly public, involving accusations of infidelity that Grande vehemently denied. They briefly reconciled in early 2014 before parting ways for good that summer. This era marked Grande's first experience with "stan culture" and the way her personal life could be weaponized or celebrated by online communities.
Collaborations and Crossovers: Nathan Sykes and Big Sean
Between her stints with Jai Brooks, Grande had a brief, musically-driven romance with Nathan Sykes of the British boy band The Wanted. The pair collaborated on the song "Almost Is Never Enough" for The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones soundtrack in 2013. While their relationship only lasted a few months, it established a recurring theme in Grande’s life: the blurring of lines between professional collaboration and romantic chemistry.
Following her final split from Brooks, Grande began dating rapper Big Sean in late 2014. This was her first truly "A-list" celebrity relationship, and the two were frequently seen together on red carpets and during live performances of their collaborations, "Best Mistake" and "Right There." The relationship lasted nearly nine months before they announced an amicable split in April 2015. They cited conflicting tour schedules as the primary reason for the breakup. Years later, Big Sean was famously mentioned in the track "thank u, next," where Grande admitted he was a "match" but ultimately wasn't her "forever."
The Quiet Romance: Ricky Alvarez
In 2015, Grande began dating one of her backup dancers, Ricky Alvarez. Unlike her previous relationship with Big Sean, her time with Alvarez was relatively low-key, though he was the inspiration behind songs like "Moonlight" and "True Love." This period is perhaps most infamously remembered for the "donut shop incident," where Alvarez was present during Grande's controversial interaction with a tray of pastries. The couple split in the summer of 2016. Like many of her exes, Alvarez remained on professional and friendly terms with Grande, even appearing in her "thank u, next" music video years later as a nod to their shared history.
A Deep Soul Connection: The Mac Miller Years
Perhaps the most impactful relationship of Grande’s life was her two-year partnership with the late rapper Mac Miller. Although they first collaborated in 2013 on her breakout hit "The Way," they did not begin dating until August 2016. Their bond was rooted in a deep mutual respect for each other’s musicality. Miller was a stabilizing force during one of the most traumatic periods of Grande’s life: the Manchester Arena bombing in May 2017. He was the first person to greet her on the tarmac when she returned home and stood by her during the One Love Manchester benefit concert.
The couple split in May 2018, with Grande describing the relationship as "toxic" due to Miller’s struggles with substance abuse. Despite the breakup, her love for him remained evident. When Miller tragically passed away in September 2018, the impact on Grande was profound. His death became a turning point in her life and career, influencing the raw vulnerability found on her subsequent albums. Even in 2026, fans still view the Miller era as a definitive chapter that shaped Grande’s perspective on grief, love, and resilience.
The Whirlwind: Pete Davidson
Immediately following her split from Mac Miller in 2018, Grande began a high-velocity romance with Saturday Night Live comedian Pete Davidson. Within weeks of dating, the pair announced their engagement, moved into a multi-million dollar New York City apartment together, and debuted a series of matching tattoos.
The relationship was a cultural phenomenon, inspiring the song "pete davidson" on her Sweetener album. However, the intensity of the relationship—combined with the sudden death of Mac Miller—proved to be too much. The couple called off their engagement in October 2018. This breakup served as the primary catalyst for the "thank u, next" era, a period where Grande pivoted away from seeking "the one" and instead focused on self-love and healing.
Marriage and the Pursuit of Privacy: Dalton Gomez
In early 2020, just as the global pandemic began to shift the world’s pace, Grande began dating luxury real estate agent Dalton Gomez. The relationship was a departure from her previous romances; Gomez was not a public figure, and Grande made a conscious effort to keep their life together private. He appeared briefly in the music video for "Stuck with U," her collaboration with Justin Bieber, confirming their status to the world.
The couple married in an intimate ceremony at their home in Montecito, California, in May 2021. For several years, it appeared Grande had found the stability she craved away from the spotlight. However, the marriage faced challenges as the world reopened and Grande moved to London to film the movie adaptation of Wicked. The physical distance and the return to a demanding public life reportedly strained the union. They separated in early 2023, and their divorce was finalized in March 2024.
The Wicked Chapter: Ethan Slater
In late 2023, news broke that Grande was dating her Wicked co-star Ethan Slater, who portrays Boq in the films. The relationship began after both had separated from their respective spouses. Because Slater was also navigating a public divorce from his high school sweetheart, the relationship was met with significant tabloid scrutiny.
Grande addressed the noise surrounding her personal life through her seventh studio album, Eternal Sunshine, released in March 2024. The album explored themes of finding new light after the "darkness" of a failing marriage. As of 2026, the couple remains together, having transitioned from co-stars to a settled partnership that has largely moved out of the defensive phase and into a more stable, public-facing reality.
Comparison of Ariana Grande's Major Relationships
The following table provides a snapshot of the primary relationships that have shaped Ariana Grande’s personal and professional life.
| Partner | Years | Relationship Type | Notable Musical Inspiration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graham Phillips | 2008–2011 | Long-term (Teenage) | Early unreleased tracks |
| Big Sean | 2014–2015 | Dating | "Best Mistake," "thank u, next" |
| Mac Miller | 2016–2018 | Long-term | "The Way," "Ghostin," "Imagine" |
| Pete Davidson | 2018 | Engagement | "pete davidson," "thank u, next" |
| Dalton Gomez | 2020–2023 | Marriage | Positions (album), "eternal sunshine" |
| Ethan Slater | 2023–Present | Dating | Eternal Sunshine (album context) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Ariana Grande’s longest relationship?
Ariana Grande’s longest relationship was with real estate agent Dalton Gomez. The pair began dating in early 2020 and their marriage lasted until their separation in early 2023, totaling roughly three years of partnership. Prior to that, her teenage relationship with Graham Phillips lasted approximately three years as well.
Did Ariana Grande date any of the Jonas Brothers?
No, Ariana Grande has never been romantically linked to any of the Jonas Brothers. While she has moved in similar celebrity circles and performed at the same events, there has never been a confirmed or even widely rumored relationship between her and Nick, Joe, or Kevin Jonas.
Is "thank u, next" about all of her exes?
The song "thank u, next" specifically name-checks four of her high-profile ex-boyfriends: Big Sean, Ricky Alvarez, Pete Davidson, and Mac Miller. The track serves as an anthem of gratitude for what each relationship taught her—patience, love, and pain—while ultimately concluding that her most important relationship is with herself.
How did Mac Miller’s death affect Ariana’s dating life?
Mac Miller’s passing in 2018 had a profound impact on Grande. It contributed to the end of her engagement to Pete Davidson and led to a period of deep introspection and grief. Much of her subsequent music, particularly on the Thank U, Next and Positions albums, touches on the difficulty of moving on while carrying the weight of loss and "ghosts" of the past.
Who is Ariana Grande currently dating in 2026?
As of 2026, Ariana Grande is in a committed relationship with actor Ethan Slater. The two met while filming the Wicked movie franchise, where Grande played Glinda and Slater played Boq. Their relationship has become more private following the initial media frenzy surrounding its start in 2023.
Practical Takeaway for Fans and Researchers
When looking back at Ariana Grande’s past relationships, it is essential to view them through the lens of her music. Grande is a "confessional" songwriter in the vein of Stevie Nicks or Taylor Swift; her albums serve as a chronological map of her heart. For those wishing to understand her history, the best resource is her discography.
- For the "honeymoon" phase of her marriage: Listen to Positions.
- For the processing of grief and breakups: Listen to Thank U, Next.
- For the transition from marriage to new love: Listen to Eternal Sunshine.
By respecting the boundaries she has set in 2026, while appreciating the vulnerability she shares in her lyrics, fans can gain a comprehensive understanding of her journey without relying solely on tabloid speculation.
