The Wicked star released her first album post-divorce, eternal sunshine

Ariana Grande and ex-husband Dalton Gomez are officially divorced, as a Los Angeles Superior Court judgment dissolving their marriage has finally come into effect.

Ariana Grande’s divorce from her real estate broker ex, Dalton Gomez, has been finalized, occurring six months after she filed for divorce. Amid speculation about their marriage, Grande has reportedly found companionship with Ethan Slater, her co-star from “Wicked.” Slater himself is going through a divorce from his estranged wife, Lilly Jay, after their separation last year.

Ariana Grande’s new album “eternal sunshine” has brought her relationships into sharp focus, with its candid and confessional lyrics addressing topics like infidelity, falling out of love, and new romances.

Samantha Woodham, a family law barrister at 4PB who specializes in advising couples together in high profile divorces, spoke exclusively with HELLO! about Ariana and Dalton’s divorce and what it could entail.

According to court documents, Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez separated over a year ago. Since they had no children and no significant legal disputes, the divorce proceedings proceeded swiftly. The terms of the divorce include Dalton receiving a one-time payment of $1,250,000 from Ariana, no future alimony, half of the proceeds from the sale of their California home, and Ariana paying up to $25,000 of Dalton’s attorney’s fees.

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Ariana’s divorce from ex-husband Dalton Gomez has been finalized

Woodham’s perspective highlights that Ariana’s divorce proceeding smoothly aligns with expectations under English law. The short duration of the marriage, both spouses being employed, and the absence of children likely contributed to the straightforward process. Additionally, having a prenuptial agreement in place, which they presumably adhered to, could have facilitated the process further.

Woodham elaborated on the divorce terms, particularly Ariana’s one-time payment, noting that if she were to fail in meeting this obligation (which seems unlikely), Dalton could seek enforcement of the order against her assets. This suggests that the agreement is legally binding and enforceable should any issues arise in the future regarding payment.

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The star is reportedly in a relationship with her “Wicked” co-star Ethan Slater

Woodham noted that Ethan and Lilly’s divorce could present more complexities due to their shared one-year-old son. In such cases, the welfare and needs of the child become paramount considerations, potentially introducing additional layers of complexity to the divorce proceedings.

“Under English law, first consideration would go to their son’s financial needs, and when it comes to the division of his care, his best interests would be paramount. So there are more considerations.”

Woodham highlighted that in both the US and the UK, there’s a growing preference for amicable divorces, moving away from the stigma often associated with divorce proceedings. Instead, couples are increasingly focusing on fostering positive futures and avoiding prolonged legal disputes. This trend suggests that Ethan and Lilly may opt for an amicable resolution despite the complexities involved in their situation.

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Ethan is in the midst of his own divorce from wife Lilly Jay

“Couples here are increasingly sharing a lawyer to dial down the drama and shortcut to the answer. Let’s hope Ethan and Lilly can do the same.”

Ariana and Dalton began dating in early 2020 and confirmed their romance when they appeared together during lockdown in the music video for her collaboration with Justin Bieber, “Stuck With U.”

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“[Ariana’s] was a short marriage with both spouses working and no children involved, and they had the benefit of a prenuptial agreement which it is likely they followed.”

They got engaged that December and tied the knot at her Montecito home in May 2021, and kept their relationship private, eschewing public appearances together. They separated in February 2023 and simultaneously filed for divorce citing “irreconcilable differences.”

Ariana Grande hints at new music as she enjoys date night with new beau Ethan Slater

Ariana will also appear in Wicked in 2024 alongside new beau Ethan Slater

Ariana Grande has fans eagerly anticipating her upcoming album, as she teased its release with a carousel of pictures on social media. The post included a collage of Polaroids featuring Ariana and friends, along with tags for her record label, Republic Records, director Christian Breslauer, and music producer Ilya Salmanzadeh. Salmanzadeh previously collaborated with Ariana on tracks like ‘Breathin’ and ‘Problem.’ The caption “See you next year!” suggests that the album may be slated for release in 2024.

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Ariana takes selfie after crying

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Ariana posts selection of polaroid pictures that hitn at new music

Ariana Grande’s teaser for her upcoming album included a variety of moods and moments captured in a video and screenshots. One clip showed her mom dancing in an office, while a screenshot of a Facetime call depicted Ariana and a friend smiling, representing “the two moods of the album.” Another screenshot showed Ariana crying, suggesting a more emotional aspect to the music. Additionally, Ariana reshared posts from fan accounts showcasing new makeup products from her beauty line R.E.M., along with a handwritten note that echoed the caption, “see you next year!”

“We (as in the universe) are screaming so loud,” commented one fan account which received thousands of likes, while another dan added: “2024 about to be one for the books.”

Ari’s brother Frankie commented: “It’s official. 2024 is my favorite year of all time,” as Rachel Zegler commented with a string of heart emojis.

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Ariana shares picture of recording studio ahead of new music

Ariana Grande’s schedule for the upcoming year is packed with exciting projects. In addition to the release of her new music, she is set to appear in the highly anticipated film adaptation of the Broadway musical Wicked. Ariana will portray the character of the good witch Galinda in Jon M. Chu’s film, joining a star-studded cast that includes Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, as well as Bowen Yang, Jonathan Bailey, and Michelle Yeoh. The first part of the two-part film is scheduled for release in November 2024, adding to the anticipation surrounding Ariana’s upcoming endeavors.

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Ethan Slater poses onstage during opening night of Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical

Ethan Slater will also appear as Boq, a young man mocked by Glinda during their time together at Shiz University.

Ethan, 31, and Ariana fell in love during filming, although they have yet to publicly confirm their romance. The acclaimed theater actor is currently playing the Historian, Prince Herbert, and others in the revival of Spamalot, and Ariana had been pictured attending a performance in support.

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Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba in Wicked

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Ariana Grande as Glinda in Wicked

It seems Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater enjoyed a cozy Christmas outing together, spotted on a rare date night with friends. Ariana sported a chic black mini blazer dress adorned with fur trimmings, paired with a black beanie, sheer tights, and black pumps, while Ethan opted for black chinos, sneakers, and layered up with a hoodie and beige baseball cap. Ariana’s divorce from Dalton Gomez was finalized in mid-2023, marking the end of their relationship following an intimate wedding at their Montecito home in May 2021. Throughout their time together, Ariana and Dalton maintained a discreet public presence.