• Ariana Grande hosted Saturday Night Live for the third time on December 20, with boyfriend Ethan Slater in attendance despite ongoing breakup rumors.
  • Although Ariana and Ethan didn’t pose together publicly, behind-the-scenes photos shared by Elizabeth Gillies showed Ethan with Ariana’s close friends.
  • While rumors of trouble began in October, a recent People source says Ariana and Ethan are solid, supportive of each other, and “making it work.”

Ariana Grande just hosted Saturday Night Live for the third (!!) time on December 20 and—despite the breakup rumors that have been swirling since before the Wicked: For Good press tour—her boyfriend Ethan Slater was there to support her.

While the two didn’t pose for any photos together, Ari’s fellow Victorious alum Elizabeth Gilles took to Instagram the next day to share some BTS pics from the show, which included a snapshot of herself and Ethan with Ariana’s longtime bestie, fellow actor Aaron Simon Gross.

group of three people seated on a couch in an indoor setting
Instagram

“Nobody does it like you, dingus,” Liz captioned the post. “What a treat it is to watch you use your many talents and gifts and use them so effortlessly well. Another brilliant episode. Not to mention- it was the marvelous @fayedunaway’s last episode. AND- CHER! PLUS CHRISTMAS! I fear my heart might’ve grown three sizes last night.”

In addition to Liz, Ethan, and Aaron, other friends and supporters included in the photos were producer and longtime pal Doug Middlebrook, as well as Ari’s childhood BFF Courtney Chipolone.

As a reminder: Breakup rumors first started circulating back in October, with a Daily Mail source claiming the two had hit a rough patch due to Ari’s “exhausting” schedule. Those rumors continued into the Wicked: For Good press tour, where the two seemingly kept their distance...but according to sources, nothing was amiss behind the scenes.

In fact, a source for People recently weighed in on how Ari and Ethan are “making it work,” noting, “They both have a lot going on, but their relationship is the real deal. They’re incredibly supportive of each other’s careers and so excited for everyone to see their new film.”

If this latest photo is any indication, Ariana and Ethan seem to be doing just fine!