Ariana Grande & Ethan Slater Date Night at Critics Choice Awards

Ariana Grande is the epitome of her song from “Wicked“, “Popular“, at the 2025 Critics Choice Awards on Feb. 7. The multi-talented pop icon turned actress arrived to the awards not only as a nominee for Best Supporting Actress but also as a shining symbol of her career evolution. The Wicked star, who has captivated audiences with her portrayal of Glinda in Jon M. Chu’s upcoming two-part adaptation, walked the red carpet in a stunning Christian Dior ensemble before reuniting inside the event with her co-star-turned-boyfriend, Ethan Slater.

GettyAriana Grande attends the 30th Annual Critics Choice Awards at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, on February 7, 2025.

The Critics Choice Awards, initially scheduled for Jan. 12 but postponed due to the Los Angeles-area wildfires, marked yet another major stop on Grande’s awards season journey. While she and Slater—who plays Boq in Wicked—arrived separately, they shared affectionate moments inside the ceremony, celebrating her remarkable industry recognition.

Ariana Grande with Ethan Slater inside the #CriticsChoiceAwards from the Wicked table! pic.twitter.com/WgWFV5curN

A Competitive Category

Grande faced stiff competition for Best Supporting Actress, standing alongside esteemed talents such as Danielle Deadwyler (“The Piano Lesson”), Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (“Nickel Boys”), Margaret Qualley (“The Substance”), Isabella Rossellini (“Conclave”), and Zoe Saldaña (“Emilia Pérez”).

GettyAriana Grande at the Critics Choice Awards Red Carpet.

Beyond individual accolades, “Wicked” also earned nominations for Best Acting Ensemble and Best Picture, further solidifying its status as one of the most anticipated films of the year. Grande, who has long been vocal about her admiration for the original “Wizard of Oz” film, has repeatedly expressed gratitude for the opportunity to bring Glinda to life.

Grande’s Awards Season & Emotional Reflections

Grande’s presence at the Critics Choice Awards was just one of several notable appearances throughout this awards season. Earlier in January, she attended the National Board of Review Awards gala with Slater, following a solo appearance at the Golden Globes. Additionally, she is in contention for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role at the upcoming Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards on Feb. 23 and is also nominated for an Academy Award in the same category.

Reacting to her Oscar nomination on Instagram, Grande shared an emotional message, reflecting on how much “The Wizard of Oz” influenced her artistic journey. “I’m humbled and deeply honored to be in such brilliant company,” she wrote, alongside photos of herself dressed as Dorothy. Slater, equally overjoyed, celebrated her nomination on his own social media, proudly sharing articles about her achievement with the caption, “Oscar. Nominated.”