Ethan Slater's estranged wife, Lilly Jay, is finally speaking out as her former husband files for divorce in the midst of rumors of a romance with Wicked co-star Ariana Grande.
In a statement to Page Six, the musician said that the ensuing media frenzy around their relationship wasn't as much about her and Ethan as it was about Ariana and the fallout from her split from husband Dalton Gomez.
"[Ariana's] the story really. Not a girl's girl," she told the outlet, saying "The story is her and Dalton," adding that: "My family is just collateral damage."
© Getty ImagesLilly and Ethan, 31, welcomed a son last year and Lilly emphasized that her focus was on raising their son and being a "good mom." The former couple first began dating in 2012 after meeting in high school and tied the knot in 2018.
A New York City court record states that the Broadway actor had initiated the divorce proceedings on Wednesday, July 26, although several reports have suggested that the two were separated for months, long before his alleged romance with the 'Thank U Next' singer.
MORE: All the signs Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez' whirlwind marriage was in trouble
It was revealed earlier in the month that Ariana, 30, and real estate agent Dalton, 27, were separating after two years of marriage after she was spotted without her wedding band at Wimbledon.
© InstagramEthan and Ariana were recently in the United Kingdom filming the second part of the upcoming Wicked movies, co-starring Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, and Michelle Yeoh.
MORE: Ariana Grande cozies up to co-star Jonathan Bailey at Wimbledon
A photo of theirs celebrating Michelle's recent Oscar win at a party has gone viral in recent days as rumors of their relationship have taken steam.
© Getty ImagesPrior to Dalton, Ariana had a string of famous exes, most notably fellow musicians Big Sean, Nathan Sykes, and Mac Miller, her collaborator on her very first hit (2013's 'The Way') who remained a close friend till his death.
From May-October 2018, she dated Pete Davidson, during which they were briefly engaged. However, they called it quits after five months and broke off their engagement.
© InstagramIn January 2020, she began dating Dalton, and while their romance was kept extremely private, they went public with their relationship in May, when they appeared together in the music video for her Justin Bieber collab 'Stuck With U.'
MORE: Ariana Grande's call for kindness: singer addresses body shamers in vulnerable video
Her album from the same year, Positions, was seen as a dedication to their relationship and spending quarantine together, and in December, she announced their engagement.
© InstagramThey tied the knot in May 2021 in a private ceremony at their Montecito, California home, limiting the public nature of their relationship to the occasional social media tribute.
