A source is offering insight into what went wrong betweenAriana Grandeand husbandDalton Gomez.
An insider confirmed to PEOPLE on Monday that thePositionsstar, 30, and the luxury real estate agent, 27, separated earlier this year and “have been quietly and lovingly working on their friendship” since.
Dalton Gomez and Ariana Grande.Instagram/arianagrande
Instagram/arianagrande
On Thursday, sources confirmed to PEOPLE that Grande is datingBroadway alum Ethan Slater, her costar in the upcomingfilm adaptation ofWicked. He recently separated from his wife Lilly Jay, whomhe began dating in 2012and married in November 2018, PEOPLE confirmed.
Reps for Grande, Gomez and Slater have not returned multiple requests for comment.
Ariana Grande; Ethan Slater.Art Streiber/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty; Eugene Gologursky/Getty
Art Streiber/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty; Eugene Gologursky/Getty
Grande, who’s been in LondonfilmingWicked, was spotted without her engagement ring and wedding band last weekend whileenjoying a day at Wimbledon. According to a source, absence did not make the heart grow fonder for her and Gomez.
“She was happy in Los Angeles for a couple of years. She wanted to make a life there with Dalton,” the insider said. “He is super focused on his career and needs to live in Los Angeles. It’s definitely been an issue for them.”
They continued, “Dalton’s career is demanding and he can’t leave Los Angeles often. So when [Grande] started filmingWickedin England, they were in for a long-distance marriage.”
Ariana Grande at the 2022 Grammys.Getty Images
Getty Images
Though the relationship eventually “didn’t work,” the source added, “Ari has nothing but kind words to say about Dalton. During their marriage, he was her No. 1 fan.”
Grande is set to play Glinda in Universal’s film adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical, while Slater will play Boq, the love interest of Elphaba’s sister Nessarose.
The movie began shooting in the U.K. last year and was scheduled for release in November 2024, though it remains unclear if theSAG-AFTRA strikewill affect its premiere.
source: people.com
