What is this feeling? Gratitude.
As Wicked star Ethan Slater walked the red carpet of the 2025 Critics Choice Awards—hosted by Chelsea Handler—on Feb. 7, he commented on the flood of thankfulness that girlfriend Ariana Grande has been experiencing in response to her recent Oscar nomination.
“She’s been doing so much promoting the movie, so I think you’ve definitely seen the moments between the crying,” he exclusively told E! News correspondent Will Marfuggi, “but it’s a really emotional thing and it’s beautiful.”
And it’s no secret that Ariana—who has been dating Ethan since 2023—has been overwhelmed with tears for the recognition that she and the whole Wicked team have received, including 11 total Critics Choice Awards nominations.
“Picking my head up in between sobs to say thank you so much to @theacademy for this unfathomable recognition,” she wrote on Instagram Jan. 23 following her Oscar nod. “I cannot stop crying, to no one’s surprise. i’m humbled and deeply honored to be in such brilliant company and sharing this with tiny ari who sat and studied Judy Garland singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow just before the big, beautiful bubble entered.”
But the “Positions” singer isn’t just excited for her own acknowledgment. She’s just as thrilled for her costar Cynthia Erivo, who is nominated for both a Critics Choice Award and Oscar for Best Actress.
“I am so proud of my Elphie, my sister, my dear @cynthiaerivo,” Ariana continued. “Your brilliance is never ending and you deserve every flower (tulip) in every garden. i love you unconditionally, always.”
Since the January announcement, Ari has given more insight into her reaction to her first Academy Award nomination, as well the nine other nominations for Wicked’s cast and crew.
“It was quite surreal,” she said during her Feb. 5 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live. “I was watching the live stream and Bowen Yang was doing the announcements and it was so exciting. I was in London and I was watching and as soon as they started announcing our whole Wicked [team], I was just sobbing because I love our Wicked family so much.”
She added, “But when they announced mine, I was a mess. I almost collapsed.”
Keep reading to see who else is attended the 2025 Critics Choice Awards.
Ariana Grande
In Christian Dior
Cynthia Erivo
In Armani Privé
Angelina Jolie
In Elie Saab
Hannah Einbinder
In Louis Vuitton
Nicole Kidman
In Saint Laurent
Demi Moore
In Schiaparelli Couture
Matt Bomer
In Berluti
Zoe Saldaña
In Saint Laurent
Orlando Bloom
Leighton Meester & Adam Brody
Leighton in Christian Dior and Adam in Santoni
Michelle Yeoh
In Balenciaga
Lupita Nyong’o
In Chanel
Kate Hudson
Maren Morris
In Monique Lhuillier
Naomi Watts
In Prada and Tiffany & Co. jewelry
Rachel Brosnahan
In Miu Miu and Pomellato jewelry
Kathryn Hahn
In Oscar de la Renta
Sarah Michelle Gellar
Colin Farrell
Mikey Madison
Logan Lerman
Cristin Milioti
In Saint Laurent and Brilliant Earth jewelry
David Harbour
Jodie Foster
Jessica Gunning
Dakota Fanning
In Irene Neuwirth jewelry
Jeff Goldblum
Marissa Bode
In Maria Lucia Hohan
Ethan Slater
Harvey Guillen
