Wicked Star Ethan Slater Shares Similarities He Has With His Character Boq

In the two-part adaptation of the Broadway smash hit, Ethan plays Boq, the Munchkin love interest of Nessarose, alongside a star-studded cast including Ariana Grande—his girlfriend of over a year—and Cynthia Erivo as Glinda the Good Witch and Elphaba, as well as Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh and more.

And while it means so much for SpongeBob SquarePants actor to eventually have his son see the movie, portraying the character has been magical for himself, too. 

"It's really cool," Ethan added. "I think the craziest thing is Wicked has been around for so long—for 20 years. Being a part of the legacy of Wicked that so many people love so much and getting to be a part of that love. I've always been a fan, so now being able to talk to people as one of the hundreds of Boqs."

Because the role is extremely meaningful to the 32-year-old, he was able to channel himself into his character seamlessly. 

"I love Boq because he's a well-intentioned guy looking for a community and looking for love," Ethan explained. "He would do anything for the people that he loves. And I actually admire that in Boq, and even if he stumbles and trips and makes mistakes—he's trying to lead with heart. So, I'd like to think I connected with him in that way."

Ethan's costars would agree that he shares his character's qualities. After all, Saturday Night Live's Bowen Yang—who plays Pfannee in the film—credited Ethan for bringing the cast together on set. 

“There are people in the world who are able to put other people on this accelerated path towards familiarity and friendship and fellowship," Bowen told GQ in an article published last month. "Ethan, I think more than almost everybody I’ve met, has that quality about him.”

Meanwhile, Ariana—who first went public with Ethan in July 2023—echoed Bowen, crediting her boyfriend's ability to put up with the scrutiny the couple faced early on in their relationship. 

As she told Vanity Fair in September, "No one on this earth tries harder or spreads themselves thinner to be there for the people that he loves and cares about."

And the “7 Rings” singer thinks that knowing Ethan has changed her for the good, adding, “There is no one on this earth with a better heart."

As for how Ethan feels about Ariana’s portrayal of Glinda the Good Witch in the film? He is beaming.

“I’m just really, really proud of Ari and the work she’s done on this,” he told GQ last month. “She’s poured herself into it. I’m really excited to be here for this next step of when the world gets to see the amazing thing that she did.”

Read on to see more of the Wicked stars that graced the red carpet.

(E!, Universal Pictures and Fandango are all part of the NBCUniversal family.)