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Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater have put recent breakup rumors to rest in the most heartwarming way—by stepping out together for a fun night at the theater. On Saturday, April 26, the couple attended a performance of Little Shop of Horrors in New York City to support Grande’s longtime friend and Victorious co-star, Liz Gillies, who stars in the show.
According to PEOPLE, Ariana and Ethan showed up at the Westside Theatre an hour before the show started so they could hang out with the cast backstage. A source described their visit as “adorable,” saying, “They were both so friendly and warm with the cast and so supportive of the production.”
Ariana even brought a cute gift—a potted plant for the women’s dressing room—clearly a playful nod to the show’s famous man-eating plant, Audrey II. In some of the photos shared by Liz Gillies on Instagram, both she and Ariana are seen holding little plants, smiling and enjoying the reunion.
Gillies posted the photos with a joyful caption: “THANK YOU FOR COMING TO THE SHOP, MY DINGUS!!”—a sweet throwback to their playful friendship that dates back to their Broadway days.
Sources say Ariana was clearly in great spirits—she was even overheard singing the show’s opening number, “Skid Row,” when she arrived at the venue and reportedly picked up a bunch of show merch to support her friend.
Gillies plays Audrey in the Off-Broadway revival, alongside Milo Manheim as Seymour. The production is a big deal for her, as it marks her first return to the New York stage since 13: The Musical in 2008—where she and Ariana first performed together as teens. Another original 13 castmate, Aaron Simon Gross, was also at the reunion and got to catch up with Ariana, making it a truly special night for the trio.
Gillies and Grande have stayed tight over the years, regularly making time to see each other and stay close despite busy schedules. In an interview last year, Gillies said they’re intentional about maintaining their bond and creating new memories together.
As for Ariana and Ethan, the couple has kept things fairly low-key since meeting on the set of Wicked, but they confirmed their relationship publicly on Instagram back in November 2024. Their recent outing together clearly shows that they’re still very much together and going strong.
So for anyone still wondering about a possible split—their theater date, warm energy, and sweet gestures make it clear: Ariana and Ethan are still happily together.