Ethan Slater put a visible show of support behind Ariana Grande during her latest Saturday Night Live appearance, helping to quiet months of speculation about trouble in their relationship. Despite persistent breakup rumors, the Broadway actor was present behind the scenes when Grande hosted SNL on December 20, signaling that the couple remains on solid ground.

Slater’s attendance was revealed through behind-the-scenes photos shared by Ariana’s close friend and former Victorious co-star Elizabeth Gillies. While Gillies did not post any direct photos of the couple together, her celebratory carousel included a snapshot of Slater smiling alongside Gillies and Ariana’s longtime friend, actor Aaron Simon Gross. In another image, Slater can be seen raising a glass in a toast, appearing relaxed and supportive as Grande celebrated her successful night.

The photos also highlighted the strong presence of Ariana’s inner circle, including producer and longtime friend Doug Middlebrook and her childhood best friend Courtney Chipalone. Together, the images painted a picture of a tight-knit support system rallying around the pop star during a major career moment.

Rumors of a possible split between Grande and Slater have circulated for months, fueled largely by their limited public interactions during the Wicked: For Good press tour. An October 1 report suggested the couple had hit a rough patch due to Grande’s demanding schedule. However, Slater’s appearance at SNL — especially during such a high-profile night — appears to contradict those claims and reassure fans that the relationship is intact.

Grande’s latest hosting gig marked her third time leading the iconic sketch show and capped off SNL’s final episode of the year. The night carried extra significance, as it featured Cher returning to Studio 8H for the first time in four decades as the musical guest. It was also an emotional farewell for cast member Bowen Yang, Ariana’s Wicked co-star, who performed his final sketch after seven and a half seasons on the show.

Grande joined Yang and Cher in his last appearance, where the trio delivered a bittersweet rendition of “Please Come Home for Christmas,” drawing applause and emotion from the audience. Between career milestones, heartfelt goodbyes, and quiet personal support from Slater, the night stood out as one of Ariana Grande’s most memorable SNL moments — both professionally and personally.