Ariana Grande Is ‘Tired of Defending’ Ethan Slater Relationship: She’s ‘Taking the Reins’

It was hardly surprising Ariana Grande burst into tears when director Jon M. Chu told her she got the part of Glinda in Wicked. The “7 Rings” singer, 31, had been publicly vying for the role in the musical adaptation since 2013. Now, after two years of filming with Cynthia Erivo, Ariana is ecstatic for moviegoers to see her as the pop-u-lar witch on November 22.

“I am really proud of my hard work and of the fact that I did give 100 percent of myself, including my physicality, to this role,” she told Vanity Fair.

Playing the part has also given the former child star the strength to speak out and set the record straight when it comes to her own life. In the same Vanity Fair interview, Ari addressed everything from Nickelodeon’s alleged toxic environment to rumors of plastic surgery and cheating.

“She is more confident and comfortable in her skin than ever,” an insider exclusively tells Life & Style. “Working with Cynthia, who is so unapologetically herself, has been inspiring. After being a people pleaser forever, Ariana is taking the reins.”

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For starters: She’s tired of the gossip about her romance with Wicked castmate Ethan Slater. Even though both Ari and Ethan, 32, had separated from their now ex-spouses before they began dating, whispers persist that he abandoned his wife and child for her.

“So many people believe the worst version of it,” Ariana told Vanity Fair. “There couldn’t be a less accurate depiction of a human being …. No one on this earth tries harder or spreads themselves thinner to be there for the people that he loves and cares about.”

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Adds the insider: “Ariana is happy in her relationship and tired of defending how they got together.” Additionally, the actress shot down reports she’s undergone scores of surgical enhancements, including a butt lift and a nose job. She did admit to getting “fillers in various places and Botox,” but noted, “I stopped like four years ago.”

The Vanity Fair interview was also the first time she commented on the Netflix docuseries Quiet on the Set, which exposed unsavory behavior taking place at Nickelodeon in the 1990s — when Ariana was a tween star there. One episode featured a montage of a young Ari in scenes oozing with barely disguised sexual innuendo.

“You don’t remember some of it, and then it’s thrown into this compilation in this thing, and you’re like, ‘Wait, that happened? I can’t believe that!’” Ariana lamented, adding, “The most important thing we can do is focus on making the working environment safer for all performers … there should be therapy in the contract … Nothing can really prepare you for what comes with this amount of visibility.”

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While she’s still reckoning with fame, it’s clear Ariana has grown up a lot since her time on the network’s Victorious and Sam & Cat. “She’s becoming a better version of herself every day,” the insider tells Life & Style. “She doesn’t let herself get bogged down by rumors or what other people think about her. Ariana just moves forward.”