Ethan Slater, the accomplished Broadway performer recognized for his role as Boq in the musical blockbuster Wicked: For Good, has consistently maintained a veil of privacy around his young son. This commitment to shielding his child from public scrutiny was recently reiterated during his appearance on The Downside With Gianmarco Soresi podcast. Slater articulated his desire for his son to experience the world authentically, uninfluenced by his celebrity status.
During the podcast, Slater, who is in a relationship with his Wicked costar Ariana Grande, offered a rare glimpse into his personal life. He shared a poignant reflection on lighting candles with his son, emphasizing the significance of this Jewish tradition. Despite navigating a complex personal life, including a recent divorce from ex-wife Lilly Jay, Slater expressed profound gratitude for these moments, finding solace and hope in his role as a father.
This isn't the first time Slater has alluded to his son. In an October 2024 interview with GQ, he described fatherhood as "the best thing in the world," expressing a natural parental urge to share his child's joy while ultimately prioritizing his son's independent journey. He emphasized his wish for his offspring to connect with the world in a genuine, "analog way," rather than through his public narrative.
Slater and Jay's divorce was finalized in September 2024, a period that coincided with the production of Wicked: For Good. Jay has also publicly addressed their co-parenting dynamic, highlighting their shared dedication to their son's well-being. In a December 2024 essay for The Cut, she stated, "While our partnership has changed, our parenthood has not." She further expressed that while days with her son are bright, others are overshadowed by the public attention surrounding the movie, which she links to challenging personal experiences.
Slater Prioritizes Son's Privacy Amidst Public Scrutiny and Co-Parenting Realities
In a recent interview, celebrated actor Ethan Slater, known for his enchanting performance as Boq in the highly anticipated film Wicked: For Good, eloquently underscored his unwavering commitment to his young son's privacy. Speaking on The Downside With Gianmarco Soresi podcast, Slater articulated a heartfelt philosophy: he aims for his child to engage with the world organically, free from the narratives crafted by his public persona. He deliberately refrains from sharing personal anecdotes about his son, choosing instead to protect his formative years from external influences. Amidst a period of significant personal transition, including his relationship with co-star Ariana Grande and the finalization of his divorce from Lilly Jay in September 2024, Slater revealed a profound sense of gratitude. He described the meaningful experience of observing Jewish traditions, such as lighting the menorah, with his son. These moments, he shared, have offered him a beacon of hope and a deeply cherished connection, even as he navigates other challenging aspects of his life. This sentiment echoes his earlier statements to GQ in October 2024, where he passionately declared fatherhood as "the best thing in the world," while steadfastly emphasizing his desire for his son's journey to unfold on its own terms, away from the glare of celebrity life.
Ethan Slater's dedication to his son's privacy serves as a powerful reminder of the delicate balance between public life and personal sanctity. His articulate stance on allowing his child to meet the world on his own terms highlights a thoughtful and protective approach to parenting in the age of constant media exposure. It underscores the importance of fostering an environment where children can develop their identities authentically, without the premature weight of external expectations or public narratives. This perspective encourages us to reflect on the value of privacy and the boundaries we set to safeguard the innocence and individuality of the next generation.