Ariana Grande pulled up to the 2025 MTV VMAs and became the moment as she picked up two of the night’s biggest awards—Best Pop Video and Song of the Year for her viral smash Yes, And?.
Rocking a glittering sheer black dress, she glowed throughout the ceremony, and I just can’t stop raving about how good it feels to see her back at a major music award show again. Even other celebs were clearly thrilled to have her around.
She spent most of the night seated next to Lady Gaga, chatting and laughing, giving us all the nostalgic Rain on Me vibes.
But… Where Was Ethan?
While Ari was winning trophies and stealing camera time with Gaga, one person was noticeably missing: her boyfriend, Ethan Slater. Fans expected him to be cheering her on from the audience, but his seat stayed empty. The absence didn’t go unnoticed—and theories immediately started flying.
Ari Links Up with Rosé
Things escalated when Ariana was spotted backstage chatting and snapping photos with BLACKPINK’s Rosé. The pics went viral within minutes, not just because two icons were in the same frame, but because… well, stan Twitter dusted off one of their favorite conspiracy theories.
One fan tweeted, “OMGGGGG ARIANAAAA AND ROSEEEE ETHAN U ARE TOAST,” while another wrote, “oh ethan i’m so sorry.”
What is the conspiracy theory, you may ask? In case you weren’t aware:
The Rosé Relationship Curse
According to fans on X (formerly Twitter), Rosé is unintentionally cursed. The theory goes: any celebrity couple that takes a picture with her is destined for a breakup.
Example A: Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn—Rosé pic, breakup soon after. Example B: Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik—same story. Even Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom’s split somehow got wrapped into it.
Of course, it’s all stan-made chaos. Rosé herself has even said she hates the theory, calling it “a narrative” in an interview. Still, the moment Ariana posed with her, Ethan Slater’s name started trending alongside Rosé’s.
Ariana + Ethan: Trouble in Paradise?
Ari and Ethan first linked up on the Wicked set in 2023 and were inseparable for months despite the backlash. But lately, their romance has been quiet. The pair hasn’t been spotted together since spring 2025, and now with Ethan missing the VMAs, fans are wondering if the relationship is already on thin ice.
Add in Rosé’s so-called curse, and the internet has officially decided Ethan and Ariana are done—even if it’s all just fan fiction for now.
READ NEXT:
Ariana Grande Shades Her Ex in New Lyrics
