Current:Home > ScamsWicked Star Ethan Slater Shares Similarities He Has With His Character Boq-LoTradeCoin
Wicked Star Ethan Slater Shares Similarities He Has With His Character Boq
View Date:2024-12-23 20:13:32
Ethan Slater knows Wicked is going to be a popular movie night choice for his son.
For his first major film role, the Broadway actor was transported to the land of Oz in Wicked, and he expressed excitement for the prospect of someday sharing the 2024 film, which hits theaters Nov. 22, with his and ex-wife Lilly Jay's 2-year-old son.
"That's a really special thing," Ethan gushed to E! @ Wicked hosts Zuri Hall and Justin Sylvester at the Nov. 9 Los Angeles premiere of the film. "It's going to be so moving. I'm crying already watching it, I can't imagine."
But Ethan—who for his part first saw the Broadway show when he was just 11 years old—shared that he had a similarly heartwarming experience when seeing the musical with another young family member.
"I got to share Wicked with my niece when she turned nine," the 32-year-old recalled. "And to watch her see that Broadway show, through her eyes, and what it meant to her—I can't wait to experience that again."
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.)
To get your tickets for Wicked, premiering Nov. 22, click here.veryGood! (39)
Related
- Mississippi rising, Georgia falling in college football NCAA Re-Rank 1-134 after Week 11
- Aimed at safety, Atlantic City road narrowing accelerates fears of worse traffic in gambling resort
- Lawyers and prosecutors make final arguments in trial of 3 Washington state officers
- Congressional group demands probe into Beijing’s role in violence against protesters on US soil
- Chicago Bears will ruin Caleb Williams if they're not careful | Opinion
- Young Thug's racketeering trial delayed to 2024 after co-defendant stabbed in Atlanta jail
- A game of integrity? Golf has a long tradition of cheating and sandbagging
- Ancestry, 23&Me and when genetic screening gifts aren't fun anymore
- Richard Allen found guilty in the murders of two teens in Delphi, Indiana. What now?
- Pink Claps Back at Hater Saying She “Got Old”
Ranking
- About Charles Hanover
- LeBron James says “moment was everything” seeing son Bronny’s debut for Southern Cal
- Wartime Palestinian poll shows surge in Hamas support, close to 90% want US-backed Abbas to resign
- EU unblocks billions for Hungary even though its leader threatens to veto Ukraine aid
- 'Red One' review: Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans embark on a joyless search for Santa
- What was the best movie of 2023? From 'Barbie' to 'Poor Things,' these are our top 10
- Oprah Winfrey dons purple gown for Smithsonian painting: Inside the portrait unveiling
- André Braugher mourned by 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' co-star Terry Crews: 'You taught me so much'
Recommendation
-
Paraguay vs. Argentina live updates: Watch Messi play World Cup qualifying match tonight
-
These states will see a minimum-wage increase in 2024: See the map
-
A boss bought scratch-off lottery tickets for her team. They won $50,000.
-
Is a soft landing in sight? What the Fed funds rate and mortgage rates are hinting at
-
How to protect your Social Security number from the Dark Web
-
Aimed at safety, Atlantic City road narrowing accelerates fears of worse traffic in gambling resort
-
Virginia has tentative deal to move Washington’s NBA, NHL teams, Youngkin says
-
Fed holds rates steady as inflation eases, forecasts 3 cuts in 2024