Ariana Grande and her Wicked co-star Ethan Slater quietly ended their nearly three-year relationship, sources confirmed to People and TMZ on June 8, 2026. The pair began dating around the time both were ending marriages — a timeline that, under California's no-fault divorce system established by Cal. Fam. Code § 2310, would not have penalized either spouse financially.
Key Facts
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| What happened | Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater confirmed their split after nearly 3 years |
| When | Reported June 8, 2026 by People and TMZ |
| Where | California (both stars' divorces processed under CA law) |
| Who's affected | Both stars; relevant to anyone dating during a pending divorce |
| Key statute | Cal. Fam. Code § 2310 (no-fault grounds) |
| Impact | Illustrates how California law treats dating during divorce — generally not a financial penalty |
Why this matters legally
Dating during a divorce does not affect the outcome of a California divorce in most cases. California is a pure no-fault state under Cal. Fam. Code § 2310, meaning courts grant divorce based on "irreconcilable differences" without examining who caused the marriage to fail. A new relationship — even one that began before the ink dried on the divorce papers — is legally irrelevant to property division and rarely affects spousal support.
The scrutiny over Grande and Slater's timeline reflects a common public misconception: that starting a new relationship before a divorce is finalized carries legal consequences. In fault-based states, adultery can influence alimony or property division. California abolished fault grounds in 1969 when then-Governor Ronald Reagan signed the Family Law Act, making it the first U.S. state to adopt no-fault divorce. Under that framework, a judge cannot reduce one spouse's share of community property because the other spouse moved on.
How California law handles this
California divides marital assets equally regardless of who dated whom. Under Cal. Fam. Code § 760, all property acquired during marriage is community property, divided 50/50 upon divorce per Cal. Fam. Code § 2550. A new relationship does not shift that division.
There are three narrow areas where a new relationship can have legal effect in California:
First, spousal support terminates upon cohabitation or remarriage. Under Cal. Fam. Code § 4323, there is a rebuttable presumption of decreased need for support when the supported spouse cohabits with a non-marital partner. Under Cal. Fam. Code § 4337, support obligations end entirely upon the supported party's remarriage. This matters for the recipient of support, not the payor who starts dating.
Second, community funds spent on a new partner during the divorce can be recovered. If one spouse uses community money — joint savings, marital income — to fund a new relationship before the assets are divided, the other spouse may claim reimbursement under California's breach of fiduciary duty rules in Cal. Fam. Code § 1101. Courts have ordered reimbursement of community funds spent on extramarital relationships.
Third, dating can affect child custody only if it endangers the children. California custody decisions turn on the best interest of the child under Cal. Fam. Code § 3011. A parent's new relationship is not relevant unless the new partner poses a documented risk to the child's safety or welfare. The court does not penalize a parent for dating per se.
For public figures like Grande, who finalized her divorce from Dalton Gomez in California, the practical effect of these rules is significant: a high-profile new relationship generated headlines but carried no inherent legal penalty in the underlying divorce.
Practical takeaways
If you are navigating a divorce in California and considering or already in a new relationship, these principles apply:
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Dating during divorce does not reduce your share of community property. Under Cal. Fam. Code § 2550, assets are split equally regardless of a new relationship.
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Do not spend community funds on a new partner before assets are divided. Money spent from joint accounts or marital income on dates, gifts, or travel can be subject to reimbursement claims under Cal. Fam. Code § 1101.
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If you receive spousal support, understand that cohabitation triggers a presumption of reduced need under Cal. Fam. Code § 4323, and remarriage ends support entirely under Cal. Fam. Code § 4337.
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Keep new relationships away from custody disputes. Introduce a new partner to children thoughtfully; a documented safety concern is the only basis on which dating affects custody under Cal. Fam. Code § 3011.
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Wait until the divorce is final before remarrying. California imposes a mandatory six-month waiting period from service of the petition before a divorce can be finalized under Cal. Fam. Code § 2339, meaning the soonest any California divorce concludes is roughly six months after filing.
Whether you are a celebrity or a private individual, California's no-fault system means your personal life after separation rarely changes the financial math of your divorce. The headlines around timelines like Grande and Slater's reflect public curiosity, not legal exposure.
If you are facing a divorce in California and have questions about how a new relationship, support, or property division might affect your case, a qualified California family law attorney can review the specifics. Every situation involves facts that general commentary cannot fully address.
This article discusses recent news and provides general legal commentary. It does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique. Consult a qualified family law attorney for advice specific to your situation.