Ariana Grande’s leap from music superstardom to Hollywood has earned her one of the industry’s highest honors: her first-ever Oscar nomination. The pop icon was nominated in the Best Supporting Actress category for her portrayal of Glinda in the highly anticipated Wicked.
The milestone has sparked celebrations far and wide, including from her boyfriend and co-star, Ethan Slater. The SpongeBob Musical actor, who plays Boq in Wicked, couldn’t hide his pride after the announcement of the nominees on Thursday, January 23.
Ethan took to Instagram to share his excitement, posting several heartfelt tributes to Ariana. One Instagram Story featured a still of Ariana as Glinda, simply captioned “Oscar. Nominated.” He also shared a lineup of the Best Supporting Actress nominees, along with a repost of Ariana’s emotional Instagram statement, where she thanked the Academy for the recognition.
The most heartwarming moment, however, came on Ethan’s Instagram grid. He shared a candid photo of Ariana gazing out of a window, holding pink balloons reminiscent of Glinda’s whimsical character. Fans flooded the comments with congratulatory messages, noting the sweet and supportive gesture.
Ariana and Ethan reportedly grew close while filming Wicked, though they have largely kept their relationship out of the public eye. Despite their low profile, Ethan’s open celebration of Ariana’s success has delighted fans of the couple.
This Oscar nomination marks a significant milestone for Ariana, who has seamlessly transitioned from music to film. Her role as Glinda has not only earned critical acclaim but also showcased her versatility as a performer.
As Ariana prepares for what could be a defining moment at the Academy Awards, it’s clear she has unwavering support from her fans—and from Ethan, who continues to cheer her on every step of the way.