People are shocked that Ariana Grande is dating the live action SpongeBob SquarePants

Ariana Grande fans are shocked to learn that the singer has allegedly already moved on from her former husband and is dating an actor best known for portraying SpongeBob SquarePants on Broadway.

News that Ariana Grande, 30, had split from her husband, Dalton Gomez, 27, was posted online earlier this week.

A source told PEOPLE Magazine that the pair were currently on track to get divorced after having separated earlier this year.

The former couple, who have allegedly called time on their marriage after two years, have reportedly ‘been quietly and lovingly working on their friendship,’ since the split.

It was said that the 27-year-old was also, ‘super focused on his career and needs to live in Los Angeles’, while Grande is currently tied to filming the screen adaptation of Wicked in England.

The source also said that the distance has, ‘definitely been an issue for them.’ It’s therefore thought that the couple has finally called time on their relationship.

However, it seems as if the Thank U, Next singer already has another love in her life.

Sources have allegedly confirmed to PEOPLE that Grande is currently dating her Wicked co-star, Ethan Slater.

“Ariana and Dalton separated in January,” said one source. “She and Ethan recently began dating, and he is separated from his wife.”

Slater, 31, married his high school sweetheart, Lilly Jay, in November 2018, and welcomed their first son into the world in 2022.

According to PEOPLE, it is not known when he and his wife of five years split.

While fans are up in arms regarding the dating rumours, some have been shocked to discover that Grande’s new beau once portrayed the beloved cartoon character, SpongeBob SquarePants, on Broadway.

Between 2016 and 2018, Slater played the titular character in the musical number at Chicago's Oriental Theatre and at the Palace Theatre in Manhattan.

Fans, who are just getting familiar with the 31-year-old now, have taken to Twitter to air their surprise.

One user wrote: “What do you mean Ariana Grande is dating the guy who played SpongeBob in the musical what?”

Another said: “Ariana Grande is dating SpongeBob SquarePants. What timeline am I in bro.”

A third commented: “Everyone losing their mind over Ariana Grande Ethan Slater saying he’s not hot. Some of you didn’t live in NYC when SpongeBob The Musical was on Broadway and these NYU b****** were thirsting for him. This makes perfect sense to me.”

Elsewhere, another Twitter user reminded their followers that words can hurt, and fans should think before posting their opinions online.

They said: “Your goofy looking friends can see what you are tweeting about Ariana Grande and SpongeBob…”