When the Wicked press tour got started, no one could really predict what would happen. After all, while star Ariana Grande developed an on-screen romance with co-star Ethan Slater, speculation about an overlap with their previous relationships meant their relationship got major backlash from the get-go.

Ariana Grande, Ethan Slater, and other members of the Wicked cast and crew stepped out last night for The National Board of Review Annual Awards Gala at Cipriani in New York City—and Grande and Slater, who have been an official couple since late December 2023, seemed to be completely inseparable all evening.

Not only was the role transformative for the singer and actress, but on set of Wicked, she met her boyfriend, Ethan Slater, who plays Boq in the film. “My unbiased opinion is that she’s one of the best comedians that’s been in a movie in a long time. She’s a genius,” he said of Ariana's performance in the movie musical.