Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater bizarrely shake hands in rare public outing at SAG Awards

Ethan Slater and Ariana Grande were pictured oddly shaking hands – despite being in a relationship (Picture: Shutterstock)

Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater were caught in a weird handshake moment at the SAG Awards on Sunday night during a rare public outing together.

The couple, who struck up a relationship after meeting while working on the Oscar-nominated Wicked movie, were snapped in a position where it seemed they were shaking hands with each other inside the ceremony.

Both Ethan, 32, and Ariana, 31, were smiling broadly during the exchange as Ariana held up other hand in exclamation.

They had also opted to walk the red carpet separately, despite being seated at the same table for the movie, which had picked up five nominations from the Screen Actors Guild including one for outstanding cast and one for Grande as supporting actress.

However, they quickly moved on from this awkward moment, with the duo being photographed later on in the evening, including while they were sitting next to each other, bringing their heads together for the pose.

Slater reportedly arrived over an hour ahead of Grande to the event, in a classic tuxedo, while the Thank U Next singer had her moment in a stunning custom pale pink Loewe gown with floral embellishments.

The Wicked co-stars and real-life boyfriend and girlfriend were caught in an odd moment as they made a rare public outing together (Picture: Presley Ann Photo/Shutterstock) However, they were also captured later in more traditional poses (Picture: John Salangsang/Shutterstock) They even sweetly held hands (Picture: Presley Ann Photo/Shutterstock) Ariana stunned in a custom Loewe gown in, of course, pink for her character Glinda (Picture: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

He was also said to be carefully looking out for his girlfriend on the floor of the show, as a clip shared by Instagram account Deuxmoi showed the couple holding hands as he carefully guided her around the table and crowd of people.

Nicola Hickling of LipReader told that the Broadway star was telling the chart-topping singer: ‘Stay near, this crowd next to me, they are pushing me.’

Both performers have kept their relationship relatively low-key – despite the high-profile awards season circuit – likely in reaction to the backlash it initially received.

Although they didn’t walk the red carpet together, Ariana and Ethan were sat next to each other for the SAG Awards ceremony (Picture: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) The couple looked relaxed and happy in each other’s company (Picture: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) Wicked was nominated for five SAG awards, but lost out (pictured with the film’s director Jon M. Chu, R) (Picture: Getty)

Grande was previously married to Dalton Gomez, with news of their divorce going live just days before her relationship with co-star Slater was first heavily rumoured, in July 2023.

Meanwhile, Slater’s ex-wife Lilly Jay relocated to the UK for Wicked filming with their young son, but he also filed for divorce from her later the same month as Grande.

Sources previously claimed to TMZ that both Slater and Grande – whose listed date of separation from Gomez was in that February – were single before they began dating.

Jay has since spoken out herself, penning an essay for The Cut in December where she said she ‘really never thought I would get divorced’.

Ethan and Ariana have kept their romance rather under the radar (Picture: Getty) Alongside Ariana filing for divorce from ex Dalton Gomez, Ethan also divorced former wife Lilly Jay, mother of his young son (Picture: Getty)

‘Especially not just after giving birth to my first child and especially not in the shadow of my husband’s new relationship with a celebrity.’

The psychologist, who specialises in women’s mental health, said she ‘deeply misses the life of invisibility she created for herself’ before her life was thrust into the public eye.

Slater has publicly shared his pride over the acclaim his girlfriend is receiving for her turn as Glinda in the blockbuster musical adaptation, posting a photo of her with pink balloons in the wake of her Oscar nomination.

Sadly, the Wicked team went home empty handed from the SAG Awards, with Emilia Pérez star Zoe Saldaña once more triumphing in the best supporting actress category over Grande, putting her as firm favourite to take home the Oscar at the end of this week – despite the controversy surrounding the Netflix film.

In Wicked together as Glinda and Boq alongside Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero (C) (Picture: Universal Pictures)

Conclave’s cast took home the ensemble award, while Elphaba actress Cynthia Erivo lost out to Demi Moore for her comeback turn in The Substance, and Jonathan Bailey’s nominated turn as Fiyero fell at the last hurdle to another awards season favourite in Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain).

SAG Award winners 2025

SAG Life Achievement Award

Jane Fonda

Film

Best ensemble cast

Conclave

Best actor

Timothée Chalamet, A Complete Unknown

Best actress

Demi Moore, The Substance

Best supporting actor

Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain

Best supporting actress

Zoe Saldaña, Emilia Perez

Best action performance by a stunt ensemble

The Fall Guy

Television

Best drama series ensemble

Shogun

Best actress – drama

Anna Sawai, Shogun

Best actor – drama

Hiroyuki Sanada, Shogun

Best comedy series ensemble

Only Murders in the Building

Best actor – comedy

Martin Short, Only Murders in the Building

Best actress – comedy

Jean Smart, Hacks

Best actor – limited series

Colin Farrell, The Penguin

Best actress – limited series

Jessica Gunning, Baby Reindeer

Best action performance by a stunt ensemble (TV)

Shogun

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