Ethan Slater proved he is a sentimental man.
While the Wicked actor wasn't by his girlfriend Ariana Grande's side at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 7, he was sure to applaud her achievements outside of the UBS Arena.
Ethan shared Ariana's Best Pop acceptance speech for "brighter days ahead" on his Instagram Stories, and highlighted her wins by writing, "Video of the Year" and "Best Pop" on the screen.
As for the speech itself? The "we can't be friends" singer—who attended the VMAs with her dad Edward Butera, mom Joan Grande, brother Frankie Grande and his husband Hale Leon—expressed her gratitude while celebrating her win.
"I have to start by saying thank you so much to my fans. I'm gonna cry," Ariana said onstage. "I love you with every fiber of my being. Thank you, MTV. Thank you to my dad, who acted in this video for the first time in his life. He is the best scene partner and dad in the world."
The 32-year-old—who was nominated in eight categories—also went on to thank her music video director Christian Breslauer, along with the team of producers, editors, special effects, designers and more.
"Thank you so much for bringing these songs and this vision to life," she shared, "and articulating them visually in a way that was fanciful and yet specific and vulnerable and yet protective, all at once."
As Ariana—whose relationship with Ethan went public in 2023—adds two new Moon Person trophies to her collection, she can always count on her boyfriend to be her biggest cheerleader.
"She's incredible," Ethan told E! News in November. "She's not a singer who wants to be an actress or an actress who wants to be a singer. She's just the best of both."
Aside from the VMAs, Ariana has been floating in her bubble of gratitution since the beginning of her journey into Oz. After all, the "Positions" singer was honored to be celebrated for her work in the Broadway adaptation during awards season, though she is just as thankful for what the character of Glinda gave to her.
"She has given me a new strength and ability to listen to certain voices maybe I wouldn't listen to before, from my inside," Ariana told PinkNews in November. "That ability to trust myself."
Noting that portraying the Wizard of Oz-inspired character also taught her "to have boundaries," she added, "I also am grateful for her ability to make really heavy things feel light and maybe that's something I already had but didn't know to be proud of. That's why I'm here, because of that adjacent thing we share."
Keep reading to see all the celebrities at the 2025 VMAs.
Lady Gaga
In Marc Jacobs.
Sabrina Carpenter
In custom Valentino.
Ariana Grande
In custom Fendi and Swarovski jewelry.
Jessica Simpson
In Christian Siriano.
Doja Cat
In Balmain.
Ice Spice
In Ralph Lauren.
Paris Hilton
In The Blonds.
FKA twigs
Conan Gray
In Erik Charlotte.
GloRilla
In Helen Anthony.
Lenny Kravitz
In Saint Laurent.
Ciara
In Schiaparelli.
Taylor Momsen
Alix Earle
In Tom Ford.
Tyla
In vintage Chanel.
Ricky Martin
Tate McRae
In custom Ludovic de Saint Sernin.
Nicky Hilton
Yungblud
Ashlee Simpson
Malin Akerman
Brittany Snow
Summer Walker
With a Simitri bag.
Megan Moroney
Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi
Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino & Lauren Sorrentino
Sexxy Red
Nikki Glaser
In Ludovic de Saint Sernin.
KATSEYE
In Dolce & Gabbana.
Ty Dolla $ign