<p id=”par-1_75″>The 2025 SAG Awards brought huge names in the entertainment industry together, including <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/ariana-grande/?swcfpc=1″>Ariana Grande</a> and Ethan Slater. Grande and Slater had a tumultuous start to <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/celebrity-relationships/?swcfpc=1″>their relationship</a> after Slater was rumored to have left his wife, Lilly Jay, for the star. Grande and Slater greeted each other <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/ariana-grande-first-oscar-nomination-wicked-cynthia-erivo-makes-academy-history.html/”>at the SAG Awards</a> with a mysterious handshake, prompting fans to wonder what was going on. Here’s what a body language expert said about the couple’s interactions.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-ariana-grande-and-ethan-slater-had-the-most-perplexing-body-language-of-the-sag-awards-according-to-an-expert”>Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater had ‘the most perplexing body language of the SAG Awards,’ according to an expert</h2>
<p id=”par-2_52″>According to <a href=”https://www.casino.ca/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Casino.ca</a>, body language expert Judi James said Ariana Grande and Ethal Slater had “the most perplexing body language” observed at the Screen Actors Guild Awards. Grande greeted Slater with a handshake, raising eyebrows. They also opted to walk the red carpet separately after facing harsh criticism for their romance. </p>
<p id=”par-3_43″>James noted that the couple had “the polite cordiality of two virtual strangers and the kind of excited clutching and eye-gazing you’d expect from teenagers on a third date.” She also noted that “high-profile events,” like the SAG Awards, certainly influence how celebrities behave. </p>
<p id=”par-4_63″>“In the so-called ‘handshake’ photo, their body language resembles that of old acquaintances or business colleagues reuniting after a long time apart,” James noted. “Ethan’s crinkled eye-smile conveys warmth and approval, while Ariana’s open-mouthed smile suggests social excitement. Their eye contact and the way their hands are clasped in front of their torsos make it look like a classic, ‘Hi! How have you been?’ greeting.”</p>
<p id=”par-5_62″>James noted that the couple’s handshake was purely performative as “it would be an unusual choice for two reasons: First, they are attending as a couple, and second, it is almost unheard of for actors to use a handshake ritual with each other. Barring the Covid era, hugs and cheek kisses even between near-strangers – are far more typical in these settings.”</p>
<p id=”par-6_45″>The expert added that while standing side by side, they mirrored “each other’s torsos, hands, and facial expressions to signal like-minded closeness. While Ethan appears protective of Ariana, the nonverbal cues suggest she is the one more inclined to use flattery and ego-boosting in their dynamic.”</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-a-lip-reader-noticed-what-ethan-slater-said-to-ariana-grande-while-they-were-in-the-audience”>A lip reader noticed what Ethan Slater said to Ariana Grande while they were in the audience</h2>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-1″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ariana-Grande-SAG-Awards.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Ethan Slater and Ariana Grande smiling amidst a crowd at the SAG Awards” class=”wp-image-3780931″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Ethan Slater and Ariana Grande attend the 31st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall on Feb. 23, 2025 | Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images</figcaption></figure>
<div class=”related-article related-article–simple”>
<span class=”related-article-flag”>Related</span>
<p class=”related-article__title”>
<a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/ariana-grande-is-quietly-pivoting-back-to-brunette-as-fans-celebrate-her-return-to-healthier-hair.html/”>
Ariana Grande Is Quietly Pivoting Back to Brunette as Fans Celebrate Her Return to Healthier Hair </a>
</p>
</div>
<p id=”par-7_49″>Ethan Slater and Ariana Grande didn’t display too much affection at the SAG Awards. However, Slater appeared to protect Grande during a moment in the crowd. Nicola Hickling of LipReader told <a href=”https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-14428359/ethan-slater-ariana-grande-comment-sag-awards-screen-actors-guild-2025.html” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>DailyMail.com</a> that Slater whispered to Grande that she should stay close to him while they navigated the event.</p>
<p id=”par-8_25″>“Stay near, this crowd next to me, they are pushing me,” Slater seemed to whisper to Grande as he took her hand, according to Hickling.</p>
<p id=”par-9_34″><a href=”https://www.usatoday.com/videos/entertainment/entertainthis/2025/02/24/ethan-slater-arrives-at-sag-awards-red-carpet-for-wicked/79872019007/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>USA Today</a> caught up with Slater at the awards show. “It’s been a whirlwind,” Slater said. “It’s been really special to be surrounded by so many amazing people who work on these incredible movies.”</p>
<p id=”par-10_48″>The interviewer told Slater that he and Grande had seats next to each other. “You know what? I didn’t even know that,” Slater said. “I assume I’ll be with the <em>Wicked</em> company, which is pretty exciting. It’s a good group; it’s a fun group to hang out with.”</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-the-wicked-star-s-boyfriend-is-so-proud-of-her”>The ‘Wicked’ star’s boyfriend is ‘so proud’ of her</h2>
<p id=”par-11_38″>Ariana Grande has a lot to be proud of. She made waves as <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/wicked-star-ariana-grande-mightve-lost-money-playing-glinda.html/”>Glinda in <em>Wicked</em></a> even when her relationship with Ethan Slater threatened to dominate headlines. Slater told <a href=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_14kE6grFqA” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Access Hollywood</a> he’s “so proud” of his incredible girlfriend.</p>
<p id=”par-12_84″>“I am so proud of her,” Slater said. “I’m so proud of everyone who worked on this movie. For everyone, Ariana included, it was something <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/becoming-glinda-ariana-grande-determined-pursuit-wicked-dream.html/”>she’s wanted to do since she was a little girl</a>. And she’s worked so hard. It can’t be overstated how hard she worked to get the role and then to do the role justice. And <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/ariana-grande-cynthia-erivo-break-down-wicked-set-most-difficult-day-filming.html/”>Cynthia, too</a>. It meant so much to her. And to watch them up close pour their entire selves into it, I’m unendingly proud.” </p>
<p id=”par-13_13″><em>For more on the entertainment world and exclusive interviews, follow </em><a href=”https://www.instagram.com/showbizcheatsheet/”><em>Showbiz Cheat Sheet’s Instagram</em></a>.</p>