Ariana Grande is under fire from people close to Ethan Slater's estranged wife Lilly Jay. In her new single “Yes, And?
The 30-year-old star made headlines last year when it was revealed she was dating her Wicked co-star Ethan, just days after news broke of her split from her 28-year-old ex-husband Dalton Gomez.
Eyebrows were raised even more when it emerged that Ethan, 31, had also ended his marriage to his high school sweetheart Lilly, with whom he has a young son.
After months of “Homewrecker” accusations, Ariana hit back with her new single, which includes the lyrics: “Your business is yours and mine is mine/Why do you care so much whose d*** I ride?”
A source close to 29-year-old Lilly criticized the singer for her “disrespectful” attitude and accused her of a complete lack of “empathy.”
Ariana Grande is under fire from those close to Ethan Slater's ex-girlfriend Lilly Jay for showing no remorse about her relationship with the theater star in her new single “Yes, And?”
Ethan ended his marriage to Lilly Jay, his high school sweetheart and mother of a young son, shortly before his relationship with Ariana became public
“It's absolutely disrespectful that in her first song since all this she's taking the opportunity to show that she feels no remorse for her actions,” the insider said.
“Ariana is dating a man who is still married. She flaunts her relationship with a married man – a married man who has a one-year-old child at home with his estranged wife.
“Yeah, Ariana destroyed a house and she doesn't seem to care.”
The source criticized the singer for not taking the time to show growth and humility amid the widespread criticism she faced over her new relationship.
“She lacks empathy,” they continued. “Ariana could have used this opportunity to make music that would be therapeutic for her, for healing, and for the fans who could hear it.”
“She could have taken that time to create art that would help the hurting heal.” But she didn't. She created art that basically says, “Shit, I don’t care what I did to hurt someone because I’m happy.”
A source close to Ariana responded to the allegations, claiming the song “does not speak to any specific people.”
“The song is clearly not addressing anyone or any particular case,” they told . “Ariana has been in the public eye for over a decade.
“If you watch the video, the people she's performing in front of are literally being played by critics.” “The lyrics and the video are really pretty clear.”
They continued, “It's a song about not judging each other or a situation based on hearsay and how you never know what people are going through or recovering from.”
The pop singer released her first single since 2021 on Friday, apparently using the opportunity to respond to the criticism she has faced over her love life over the past year.
After months of “Homewrecker” accusations, Ariana hits back with her new single in which she sings, “Your business is yours and mine is mine. Why do you care so much whose d*** I ride?”
A source close to 29-year-old Lilly criticized the singer for her “disrespectful” attitude
Music lovers were equally shocked by the singer's decision to take such a defiant approach to the controversial relationship
Keep asking, “Yes, what?” She asks listeners to think about why they feel compelled to comment on their lives.
In another line, she sings, “Now I'm so done caring what you think, no, I won't hide behind your own projections or change my most authentic life.”
Fans also expressed disappointment over the text, with one Reddit user writing: “Yeah (I stole your husband and destroyed your family) and (I'll pretend it's no big deal).”
Another added of Ethan: “Your child never sees you and your ex mainly takes care of him. 'Yeah and?'
One fan was simply confused by the singer's approach to the recent controversy, writing: “Who would have thought that would be a good idea?” Why didn't one stop and say: “…considering the current discourse, we should.” Maybe don’t do it?”
“Oh this is tasteless,” one fan commented, while another agreed and said: “This is cheesy as hell.”
The defiant figure comes after it was reported that Ariana and Ethan had taken their relationship to the next level in November, with the Dangerous Woman singer now living with the actor in New York City during his turn in Spamalot.
The couple first met in December 2022 on the British set of the film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical “Wicked,” in which Ariana plays Glinda – the good witch – alongside Ethan as the dwarf Boq.
Both couples announced back in July that they had split within days of each other, with Ariana announcing her split from Dalton just three days before confirming her new relationship with Ethan, who then filed for divorce from Lilly.
Ethan and Lilly Jay – who married five years ago after meeting in 2012 – welcomed a son in August 2022
Ariana married Dalton Gomez privately in May 2021 before their unexpected split was announced in July last year
He cited irreconcilable differences and requested joint custody of their infant son.
Since then, Lilly has condemned Ariana in a series of disparaging interviews, telling Page Six that the singer is “not a girl's girl” and bluntly adding that “my family is just collateral damage to her.”
Speaking to , the Broadway star's estranged wife then explained that she was determined to continue her life as a single mother without her ex.
Her confession came as a source close to Ariana and Ethan claimed that the singer “hung out” with Lilly and her newborn baby several times before her romance with her co-star – and reportedly those around her – came to light even said how much she “wanted a baby.” a day after becoming friends with Lilly and Ethan's son.
Although Ariana and Ethan have always insisted that their relationship began after splitting from their respective partners, fans were quick to cast doubt on Ariana's claim that their marriage ended in February last year.
Her own social media activity raised suspicions when the singer shared a loving tribute to her husband on May 15 – three months after the February 20 separation date listed in her divorce documents.
Ariana announced her split from Dalton just days before it was revealed that she had begun a romance with her Wicked co-star Ethan
Fans have questioned the timing of the relationship, as Ariana and Dalton celebrated their two-year wedding anniversary on Instagram just weeks earlier and looked as in love as ever
Days before the official date of their split, Ariana and Dalton shared loving Valentine's Day messages, and sources told that Dalton traveled to London several times after February to visit Ariana on the set of Wicked – where they even went on double dates with Ethan and Lilly.
A source close to the pop star insisted that the couple only shared a tribute to each other online before announcing their split to keep the news of their impending divorce a secret while they dealt with it behind closed doors.
In April, a source close to the couple claimed that they were “very much in love” despite the long distance between them while Ariana was filming in the UK.
In fact, the couple seemed stronger than ever as they celebrated their two-year anniversary on May 15.
The former Nickelodeon star's camp has repeatedly denied claims that she and Ethan began their romance before she and Dalton split, insisting that they only started dating after their marriage ended.
Yes and? serves as the lead track for Ariana's seventh studio album, which she first hinted at in late December.
Meanwhile, “Wicked” is expected to hit theaters in November.
Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater's relationship timeline: A look back at how the Wicked co-stars' romance blossomed while both were still married to other people
Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater's relationship appears to have soured in the two months since Wicked wrapped filming in the UK in mid-July.
The Dangerous Woman singer, 30, and Ethan, 31, now live together in NYC, where Ethan is preparing for the November debut of his lead role in Spamalot on Broadway.
Ethan has filed for divorce from his wife of four years, Lilly Jay – with whom he has a one-year-old son – but Ariana and her husband Dalton, 28, have not yet filed for divorce.
As their love story continues to blossom, has created a timeline of their relationship containing only facts and photos.
Now things are getting serious: Ariana and Ethan now live together in NYC
MAY 15, 2021 – ARIANA MARRIES DALTON
“I do”: Ariana and Dalton – who got engaged in December 2020 – married in 2021 at their mansion in Montecito, California. Pictured here on their wedding day
NOVEMBER 4, 2021 – ARIANA IS SET AS GLINDA, THE GOOD WITCH IN THE UPCOMING MOVIE WICKED
A dream come true: On November 4, 2021, Ariana burst into tears when she revealed on Instagram that she had been cast as Glinda in the upcoming film “Wicked.”
AUGUST 2022 – ETHAN AND WIFE LILLY WELCOME A LITTLE BOY
Baby joy: Ethan and his wife of four years, Lilly, have welcomed their first child together, which he announced on Instagram
NOVEMBER 11, 2022 – ETHAN CELEBRATES FOUR-YEAR WEDDING TO LILLY
Soulmate: Ethan calls Lilly “the love of my life” in a super sweet Instagram post (pictured) to celebrate their fourth wedding anniversary.
DECEMBER 7, 2022 – ETHAN JOINS WICKED
Celebrate: Ethan announced on Instagram that he had joined the cast of Wicked in a photo showing his feet in front of Ariana's dancing shoes
DECEMBER 9, 2022 – WICKED BEGIN SCREENPLAY IN THE UK
Action!: Ariana and the cast begin filming Wicked in the UK, which she said was a “dream come true.”
FEBRUARY 2023 – ETHAN'S WIFE LILLY AND HER LITTLE BOY ARE DISCOVERED WITH HIM IN THE UK
Family together: Ethan and Lilly (with their baby) were spotted in the UK, where he is filming Wicked. Ethan shared a photo of his son's onesie with the caption “Wicked Cute.”
FEBRUARY 6, 2023 – ARIANA AND DALTON SEEN LEAVING RESTAURANT IN UK
Reunited: Ariana and her husband Dalton are seen eating crepes at a restaurant in the UK (see picture). Ariana and Dalton also went on double dates with Ethan and Lilly during this time.
MARCH 5, 2023 – ARIANA AND ETHAN TAKE HIS LITTLE ONE FOR A WALK IN LONDON
Mother not invited: Ariana and Ethan took their son for a walk in London without Lilly. At one point, Ariana was seen pushing the stroller.
MARCH 13, 2023 – ARIANA AND ETHAN TOUCHY-FEELY AT MICHELLE YEOHS OSCAR PARTY
Spouses Not Included: Ariana and Ethan were very touchy-feely at Michelle Yeoh's Oscar party in London. They arrived and left together.
MAY 14, 2023 – ETHAN WISHES LILLY HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY ON INSTAGRAM, ARIANA LIKES THE POST
Foreshadowing: Ethan wished his wife Lilly a happy Mother's Day on Instagram, calling her “loving” and “wonderful.” Ariana liked the post.
MAY 31, 2023 – ARIANA AND ETHAN COME VERY CLOSE ON THE WICKED SET, THE CAMERAS ARE NOT ROLLING
Cute: Ariana and Ethan are photographed having an intimate conversation about filming Wicked when the cameras weren't rolling. Sources tell that they were “sloppy on set.”
In full disclosure, Ariana and Ethan were photographed heading to their trailer during a break from filming Wicked
JUNE 27, 2023 – ETHAN HAVE HIS ARM AROUND ARIANA AS THEY CELEBRATE HER BIRTHDAY
Photos don't lie: published this photo showing Ethan with his arm around Ariana while celebrating her 30th birthday in the UK, weeks before they went public.
JULY 14, 2023 – Filming on the “Wicked” set abruptly ends due to the SAG/AFTRA Strike
It's over: Wicked finishes filming and the set is torn down during the SAG/AFTRA strike, as seen in the image. Ariana and Ethan remained in the UK.
JULY 17, 2023 – ARIANA'S REPRESENTATIVE CONFIRMS THAT THE SINGER AND DALTON ARE DIVORCING
It's over: Ariana's rep confirmed to that Ariana is divorcing Dalton after four years of marriage, here in 2022. Two months later, there are still no divorce papers.
JULY 20, 2023 – ARIANA DELETED DALTON WEDDING PHOTOS FROM INSTAGRAM
Rest: Ariana deletes all of Dalton's photos from her Instagram, including her wedding pictures. She later re-adds the non-wedding photos.
JULY 20, 2023 – ARIANA’S REPRESENTATIVE CONFIRMS SHE IS DATING ETHAN
Busy day: After Ariana deleted the photos of Dalton, her rep confirmed that she is dating Ethan, pictured at Michelle Yeoh's party
JULY 26, 2023 – ETHAN files for divorce from his wife Lilly
Heartbreaker: Ethan filed for divorce from Lilly less than a week after Ariana and Dalton split. He has asked for joint custody of their newborn baby.
JULY 26, 2023: ETHAN MAKES HIS INSTAGRAM PRIVATE AFTER FANS RETURN
Villain: Ethan sets his Instagram to private after being bombarded with hateful comments on his Instagram
SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 – ETHAN RETURNS TO INSTAGRAM, DELETES ALL PHOTOS OF LILLY
Once again, Ethan returns to Instagram to promote his upcoming Broadway show Spamalot. Ariana, who lives with her husband, liked the post.
History repeats itself: Ethan's upcoming show Spamalot opens on Broadway in mid-November. Will Ariana attend the show?