Ethan Slater reacts to rumors that Ariana Grande’s ‘Imperfect for You’ is about him

Wrote Ariana Grande “Imperfect For You” about Ethan Slater?

After fans speculated about Grande’s heartfelt Eternal sunshine track was written about her boyfriend and Evil costs, Slater responded to the rumors in a new GQ Hype cover story interview published on Thursday 30 Oct.

The couple met at Evil set, and their relationship was confirmed by PEOPLE in July 2023. Eternal sunshine was released in March, and fans have theorized that some of the album was inspired by Grande and Slater’s romance as well as the public scrutiny they’ve received.

When GQ asked Slater about the song’s lyrics, though the actor didn’t exactly reveal if it’s about him. “She’s such a great performer and I think everyone knows how good she is (as) a recording artist and all that — but I’m just really impressed with the songwriting,” he told the magazine.

“I love that song,” co-star Slater added Evil as Boq, a munchkin with an unrequited crush on Glinda, played by Grande.

The lyrics to “Imperfect for You” tell of Grande discussing a complicated romantic relationship. “My boy, come take my hand / Throw your guitar and your clothes in the back seat / My love, they don’t understand / But I’ll keep your hurt in the box here next to me,” she sings on the first verse.

The Grammy winner and Slater’s relationship began following Grande’s split from her husband, Dalton Gomez, and Slater’s split from his wife, Lilly Jay, with whom he shares a 2-year-old son.

Elsewhere in GQ interview, Slater – whose divorce from Jay was finalized in September – addressed critics who have made assumptions about his personal life. “Obviously it was a really super big year,” he said, “and I think there was something really difficult about things in your private life being commented on and looked at by the public.”

He continued: “There were a lot of big changes in private life that really happened, so it’s really hard to see people who don’t know anything about what’s going on commenting on it and speculating, and then it goes wrong with the people who you love. So just addressing that part of it feels really hard.”

“But obviously it’s been a great year and a really beautiful thing,” Slater added, “and I’m just really excited.”

The SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical star also expressed feeling “really, really proud” of Grande’s work with Evil. “She’s poured herself into it,” he said.

“I’m really proud that I got to be there for that part of it and I’m really excited to be there for this next step of it when the world gets to see the amazing thing that she did,” gushed Slater.

Evil hits theaters November 22.