Wicked’s Ethan Slater attended the 2025 Critics Choice Awards, hosted by Chelsea Handler, and exclusively told E! News about Ariana Grande’s “beautiful” emotions following her first Oscar nomination.
Critics Choice Awards: Ethan Slater Details Ariana Grande’s Raw Emotions Over Oscar Nomination
What is this feeling? Gratitude.
As Wicked star Ethan Slater walked the red carpet of the 2025 Critics Choice Awards—hosted by Chelsea Handler—on Feb. 7, he commented on the flood of thankfulness that girlfriend Ariana Grande has been experiencing in response to her recent Oscar nomination.
“She’s been doing so much promoting the movie, so I think you’ve definitely seen the moments between the crying,” he exclusively told E! News correspondent Will Marfuggi, “but it’s a really emotional thing and it’s beautiful.”
And it’s no secret that Ariana—who has been dating Ethan since 2023—has been overwhelmed with tears for the recognition that she and the whole Wicked team have received, including 11 total Critics Choice Awards nominations.
“Picking my head up in between sobs to say thank you so much to @theacademy for this unfathomable recognition,” she wrote on Instagram Jan. 23 following her Oscar nod. “I cannot stop crying, to no one’s surprise. i’m humbled and deeply honored to be in such brilliant company and sharing this with tiny ari who sat and studied Judy Garland singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow just before the big, beautiful bubble entered.”
But the “Positions” singer isn’t just excited for her own acknowledgment. She’s just as thrilled for her costar Cynthia Erivo, who is nominated for both a Critics Choice Award and Oscar for Best Actress.
“I am so proud of my Elphie, my sister, my dear @cynthiaerivo,” Ariana continued. “Your brilliance is never ending and you deserve every flower (tulip) in every garden. i love you unconditionally, always.”
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Since the January announcement, Ari has given more insight into her reaction to her first Academy Award nomination, as well the nine other nominations for Wicked’s cast and crew.
“It was quite surreal,” she said during her Feb. 5 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live. “I was watching the live stream and Bowen Yang was doing the announcements and it was so exciting. I was in London and I was watching and as soon as they started announcing our whole Wicked [team], I was just sobbing because I love our Wicked family so much.”
She added, “But when they announced mine, I was a mess. I almost collapsed.”
Keep reading to see who else is attended the 2025 Critics Choice Awards.
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Ariana Grande
In Christian Dior
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Cynthia Erivo
In Armani Privé
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Angelina Jolie
In Elie Saab
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association
Hannah Einbinder
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association
Nicole Kidman
In Saint Laurent
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Demi Moore
In Schiaparelli Couture
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association
Matt Bomer
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Zoe Saldaña
In Saint Laurent
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association
Orlando Bloom
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Leighton Meester & Adam Brody
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Michelle Yeoh
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Kate Hudson
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Maren Morris
Maya Dehlin Spach / Staff / GETTY IMAGES
Naomi Watts
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Rachel Brosnahan
In Miu Miu
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Kathryn Hahn
In Oscar de la Renta
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Sarah Michelle Gellar
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Colin Farrell
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Logan Lerman
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Cristin Milioti
In Saint Laurent
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David Harbour
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Jodie Foster
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Margaret Qualley
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Jessica Gunning
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Dakota Fanning
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Marissa Bode
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Erin Foster
In Petar Petrov
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Edgar Ramirez
In Saint Laurent
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Bowen Yang
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Sara Foster
In Monique Lhuillier
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