Ethan Slater Supports Ariana Grande Backstage During Her ‘Saturday Night Live’ Hosting Return

Ariana Grande returned to studio 8H this weekend, and boyfriend Ethan Slater was right there to cheer her on. The couple was spotted backstage at Saturday Night Live as Grande hosted the Dec. 20 episode — a night filled with holiday energy, emotional goodbyes, and star-studded cameos. Slater, 33, appeared in photographs shared by actor Elizabeth “Liz” Gillies on Instagram on Sunday. Gillies, Grande’s longtime friend and Victorious costar, posted several behind-the-scenes photos from the NBC Studios in New York City. One backstage snapshot shows Gillies seated beside Slater and actor Aaron Simon Gross on a couch, smiling casually during the live taping. Other pictures show Grande preparing in costume during rehearsals and quick changes.

Gillies praised Grande’s performance in a heartfelt caption, writing that watching her friend apply her “many talents and gifts” was “a treat.” She also highlighted the night’s significance beyond Grande’s hosting duties, noting that it marked veteran actress Faye Dunaway’s final episode, featured a performance by Cher, and embraced the festive spirit of Christmas. Grande, 32, also posted her own behind-the-scenes look at the night through photos and brief rehearsal videos, giving fans a glimpse into her week preparing for SNL duties.

Grande and Slater first met while filming the two-part adaptation of Wicked. The pair began dating in July 2023 after bonding on set. A source previously told PEOPLE in November that their relationship remains “the real deal” despite demanding professional schedules and press commitments. The weekend’s SNL episode carried added emotional weight, as it marked the final appearance of costar Bowen Yang, who performs alongside Grande and Slater in Wicked: For Good, currently in theaters.

Yang, 35, joined SNL in 2019 and became the show’s first Chinese American cast member. His farewell sketch referenced his departure through a character working a final shift. Cher and Grande joined him during the performance, bringing both humor and nostalgia to the moment. Yang shared a message on Instagram reflecting on his exit, writing that he valued his time at SNL and cherished the people he worked with. “Working at 30 Rock taught me the value in showing up,” he wrote.

Grande and Slater’s backstage appearance underscores the couple’s ongoing support for one another both personally and professionally. With Wicked: For Good currently earning momentum in theaters and Grande rumored to resume musical releases in early 2026, fans can anticipate more public moments from the pair as they navigate busy futures in Hollywood. As Grande celebrated a return to live television hosting and Yang closed a major chapter of his comedic career, the night represented a heartfelt intersection of friendship, artistry, and transition—captured in backstage photos now circulating widely online.