Is Ariana Grande a 'Boyfriend Stealer'? A Look at the Pop Star's Dating Controversies

Ariana Grande's love life has long been a magnet for headlines, and her current relationship with Wicked co-star Ethan Slater is no exception. The romance emerged following her separation from ex-husband Dalton Gomez, with their divorce finalised in March 2024.

Grande and Slater's connection reportedly began during filming in London for Wicked, when both were married at the time. Slater was wed to his high school sweetheart, Lilly Jay, with whom he had recently welcomed a child. When Slater filed for divorce on 26 July 2023, rumours of Grande's involvement quickly escalated, prompting 'homewrecker' allegations.

Sources close to the couple have consistently maintained that they did not start dating until both were separated from their partners. However, Jay expressed publicly at the time that her family felt like 'collateral damage.'

This is not the first time that Grande has faced claims of overlapping romances. Below is a breakdown of the most notable instances where the singer has been accused of stepping into another woman's relationship.

Alleged Overlaps: Mac Miller, Jai Brooks and Ricky Álvarez

Grande's connection with rapper Mac Miller began in late 2012, and by 2013 they were collaborating closely. Around that time, Miller ended a long-term relationship with his high-school sweetheart. Grande, however, was still dating Jai Brooks, who later publicly claimed that he had been cheated on and left for another man.

Miller eventually reunited with his former girlfriend and remained together for several years. But by May 2016, signs of a break-up have surfaced. Grande was then dating Ricky Álvarez, but she was spotted with Miller at Disneyland shortly afterwards. By August 2016, Grande and Miller were spending nearly every day together, and soon photographed kissing in public.

Soon after, Miller's former partner shared messages online that strongly suggested heartbreak and feelings of betrayal.

Relationship with Big Sean

In 2014, Grande and rapper Big Sean confirmed their relationship just months after Sean's engagement to Glee star Naya Rivera ended. Their romanced lasted less than a year, but Rivera later implied Grande and Sean's relationship was built from an affair. In her 2016 memoir, Sorry Not Sorry, Rivera wrote about walking into Sean's home to find Grande there while the couple were still engaged.

It read: 'We'd been fighting for five straight days while he was traveling, and then on the one day that he was back in L.A., he said he didn't want to see me. "Well, asshole, I've got a key to your house. I walk in, go downstairs, and guess what little girl is sitting cross-legged on the couch listening to music? ... It rhymes with "Smariana Schmande."'

Engagement to Pete Davidson

Grande's whirlwind romance with comedian Pete Davidson in 2018 was one of her most high-profile relationships, culminating in a brief engagement. Davidson's then-girlfriend of two years, writer Cazzie David, revealed in her 2020 essay collection, No One Asked For This, that their break-up coincided with his new relationship. She said that she and Davidson were already somewhat broken up. She wrote, 'He told me he was now the happiest he had ever been, and he wanted to continue our time apart.'

'This 180 wasn't what I'd expected, but it wasn't unfamiliar. I said okay and that I loved him, tears streaming down my face, and he hung up quickly,' she added. Not long after their conversation, David found out about Davidson and Grande: 'I scrolled through Twitter and saw that my ex of one day had a new girlfriend.'

Patterns or Coincidence?

While insiders have often insisted that Grande's relationships did not overlap, the recurring controversies have left many unconvinced. Each new romance seems to revive past allegations, leaving critics to question whether the singer is simply unlucky in timing or whether a pattern exists.