Here's Why The Wife Of The SpongeBob SquarePants Voice Actor Had To Clarify That He Isn't Dating Ariana Grande

    “Hi everyone, I’m married to Tom Kenny. He is not dating Ariana Grande."

    Natasha Jokic
    by Natasha Jokic

    BuzzFeed Staff

    Breaking news: Ariana Grande is not dating SpongeBob SquarePants (at least, not how you might think).

    Close-up of Ariana wearing a cup and holding a cup with a straw
    Karwai Tang / WireImage

    Earlier last week, reports emerged that Ariana was dating her Wicked costar Ethan Slater following her split from husband Dalton Gomez.

    Ethan at a media event
    Dominik Bindl / WireImage

    Well, one of the things Ethan is best known for is playing SpongeBob in the eponymous Broadway musical, even getting a Tony nomination in the process.

    Ethan in a suit and holding a pineapple
    Bennett Raglin / Getty Images for Nickelodeon

    As such, the Cut went with the headline "Is Ariana Grande Dating SpongeBob Now?" when covering the hoopla. However, the reference to SpongeBob apparently caught the attention of the wife of Tom Kenny, aka the voice actor who plays SpongeBob.

    Close-up of Ariana on The Voice
    NBC / NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

    According to People magazine, Jill Talley hopped into the comments to clarify that the sea sponge in question was not her husband. “Hi everyone, I’m married to Tom Kenny," she wrote. "He is not dating Ariana Grande."

    SpongeBob and Tom on the red carpet waving
    Jason Laveris / FilmMagic

    “I don’t know if Ethan Slater (who played SpongeBob in the musical) is or isn’t dating Ariana Grande. However, they’re both adorable and I totally ship it. Just wanted to set the record straight."

    Ethan performing onstage
    Jenny Anderson / Getty Images for Nickelodeon

    She added, "P.S. as for me and Tom Kenny — we are celebrating our 27th wedding anniversary today."

    Jill and Tom embracing and holding hands at a press event
    Monica Schipper / Getty Images

    WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE, FOLKS.