Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater may be pursuing romance together after linking up on the set of Wicked, but the woman Ethan walked away from is feeling extremely left behind.

So it goes for singer Lilly Jay — who is the Broadway actor’s now-estranged wife — after reports surfaced earlier this month that Slater split from her to pursue the Victorious alum. We honestly can’t say we wouldn’t feel much the same way considering the context from Lilly’s perspective…

According to TMZ, which cited sources close to Jay, she is apparently “devastated” that her family has been split up over this. She and Slater first married back in 2018. And the duo shares a young son, who was born last August. But now that all seems to have gone up in smoke as the SpongeBob SquarePants musical star pursues love with the 7 Rings singer.

Per that outlet, Jay is “very upset” that the now-estranged couple’s son “won’t have both his mom and dad around constantly.” Furthermore, she and Ethan apparently “aren’t on good terms now” as he goes full-speed into his new thing with Grande. The kicker, as noted in Wednesday morning’s report, is that Lilly feels Ethan has “completely turned his back on his family.”

Oof.

And it gets even worse. The whole split stings even more than in the most obvious ways because insiders told the outlet Ariana “used to hang out” with Ethan and Lilly together “while they were still a happily married couple.” In fact, Ariana even double-tapped Ethan’s Instagram tribute to Lilly back on Mother’s Day of this year!! (Ethan’s IG account is now set to private following the revelation of this relationship in the last few weeks.)

The Mother’s Day IG like is doubly interesting considering the timeline of Slater and Grande’s connection. Per insiders, the embattled new couple started to pursue their romantic chemistry “several months ago.” And Mother’s Day this year was on May 14, so, yeah…

In the end, TMZ notes info from sources who say Lilly has been left “betrayed and heartbroken.” Honestly, we can’t even imagine. Especially with such a young child to raise, too. But Slater and the Side To Side singer are trying to move forward in their way, as well. One insider — seemingly from Ariana’s side of the situation — offered this particularly curious quote about it:

“It’s understandable that emotions are high and it’s hard seeing your ex move on, especially in such a public way, and her friends are trying to protect her. But Ari and Ethan are just trying to lay low and be respectful of their exes as they pursue this new relationship.”

Hmmm…

Seems like the respectful thing would have been to not break up a marriage and a young family so abruptly and suddenly like that?! Maybe? Just saying. This quote seems like a bit of revisionist relationship history when the actual situation is far more complicated than a publicly-visible pair of lovers “just trying to lay low.” Ya know?!?!

Anyways, it would seem divorce is likely on the horizon for Ethan and Lilly? Per TMZ, it “doesn’t appear” either one of them has filed yet, but nobody is hopeful considering the context. As for Ariana and her estranged husband Dalton Gomez, divorce is said to be “definitely” in the mix for them soon, per that outlet.

What do U make of all this shocking relationship drama, Perezcious readers? Sound OFF with your take down in the comments (below)…