Did Ariana Grande write “Imperfect For You” If Ethan Slater?

After fans speculated about Grande’s inner league Eternal sunshine tracks were written about her boyfriend and Evil costar, Slater responded to the rumors in a new GQ hype cover interview published 30 Oct.

The couple met at Evil set, and their relationship was confirmed by PEOPLE in July 2023. Eternal sunshine came out in March, and fans have theorized that part of the album is inspired by Grande and Slater’s romance as well as the public scrutiny they’ve received.

When GQ asked Slater about the song’s lyrics, but the actor didn’t reveal exactly if it’s about him. “She’s such a great artist, and I think everyone knows how good she is (as a) recording artist and all that – but I’m just really impressed with the songwriting,” he told the channel.

“I love that song,” added Slater, who plays along Evil as Boq, a munchkin with an unrequited crush on Glinda, played by Grande.

The lyrics to “Imperfect for You” find Grande discussing a complicated romantic relationship. “My boy, come take my hand / Throw your guitar and your clothes in the back seat / My baby, they don’t understand / But I’ll keep your hurt in the drawer right here next to me,” she sings on the first verse.

The Grammy winner and Slater’s relationship began after Grande’s separation from her husband, Dalton Gomezand Slater’s separation from his wife, Lilly Jay, with whom he shares a 2-year-old son.

Elsewhere in GQ interview, Slater – whose divorce from Jay was was completed in September — addressed critics who have made assumptions about his personal life. “Obviously it was a really super big year,” he said, “and I think that was something that was really difficult about things in your private life being commented on and looked at by the public.”

He continued, “There were a lot of big changes in private life that really happened, so it’s really hard to see people who don’t know anything about what’s going on commenting on it and speculating, and then things get wrong about the people you love. So just that deal with that part of it, it feels really hard.”

“But, of course, it was a great year and a really beautiful thing,” Slater added, “and I’m just really excited.”

The SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical star also expressed that he felt “really, really proud” of Grande’s work with Evil. “She’s poured herself into it,” he said.

“I’m really proud that I got to be there for that part of it, and I’m really excited to be there for the next stage of it when the world gets to see the amazing thing that she did,” Slater said.

Evil hits theaters November 22.