Slater, 32, will portray Boq alongside Grande’s Glinda in the forthcoming film “Wicked”. He admits it was difficult to enter into a relationship that so many people watch.
“Obviously, it was a really big year, and I think there was something that was really difficult about things in your private life being commented on and looked at by the public,” he told the magazine GQ.
“There were a lot of huge changes going on in people’s private lives, so it’s extremely difficult to have people who don’t know what’s going on talking and speculating, and then getting things incorrect about the people you care about. So simply addressing that portion of it feels incredibly difficult.”
Slater and his ex-wife, Lilly Jay, have a two-year-old boy. In July 2023, he filed for divorce amid rumours of dating Grande, who had recently divorced from her ex-husband, Dalton Gomez.
Despite the scrutiny, Slater, a Tony Award-nominated actor for his participation in Broadway’s “SpongeBob SquarePants” musical, is pleased with the situation as “Wicked” prepares to hit theatres.
“But, of course, it was an incredible year and a very lovely thing, and I’m very excited. I’m simply so proud of Ari and her effort on this. “She’s poured herself into it,” he explained.
“I’m really proud that I got to be there for that part of it, and I’m really excited to be there for this next step of it when the world gets to see the amazing thing that she did.”
Slater was also hesitant when asked if Grande’s song “Imperfect for You” is about him, as some fans have believed.
She is such a fantastic performer, and I believe everyone is aware of how talented she is as a recording artist, but her composition has completely blown me away. He remarked, “I love that song.”
Grande has refuted public perceptions of their connection.
“The most disappointing part was to see so many people believe the worst version of it,” she told Vanity Fair in September. “There couldn’t be a less accurate depiction of a human being than the one that the tabloids spread about him.”
“No one on this planet works harder or stretches themselves thinner to be present for the people he loves and cares about. There is no one on this planet with a greater heart, and no bulls***tabloid can rewrite that in real life,” she said.