Ethan Slater's ex-wife Lilly Jay breaks silence on divorce in personal essay
Ethan Slater's former spouse, Dr. Lilly Jay, is opening up about her separation from the Wicked actor. In a heartfelt piece for The Cut, Lilly expressed, “Marriage is a commitment we enter into without the expectation of it ending, much like no one boards a plane anticipating a crash. I truly didn’t expect my marriage would end, particularly not right after welcoming our first child, and certainly not while dealing with my husband’s new romance with a famous person.”
Lilly shared her journey as a psychologist focused on women's mental health, mentioning that her work helped her distance herself from social media. In contrast, her partner viewed social media as an essential part of his life rather than a hindrance. They spent time discussing this issue during walks, while enjoying pizza, and at home, enthusiastically creating guidelines for what he could post about their relationship.
Lilly shared her experience of relocating to England with Ethan while he was working on the film adaptation of Wicked. She remarked, “I boldly made the decision to move to a new country with our 2-month-old baby and my husband to help further his career. Caught up in the enchantment and routine of being a new mom, I failed to notice the increasing gap developing between us.”
“I’m putting in a lot of effort to cope with the unexpected end of my marriage,” she writes. “I remind myself that there’s no reason to feel embarrassed or to hide my feelings. Gradually, I’ve started to see that even though the future I envisioned with my high school sweetheart is gone, a new and fulfilling life is ahead for me and my child. While our relationship has transformed, our dedication to being parents remains strong. We both love our son completely, no matter how the time spent with him is split between us.”
She shared her journey with postpartum depression, expressing, “Throughout my adult life, I was terrified that the feeling of losing control and battling postpartum depression would overwhelm me. Then one day in London, I noticed that both had come into my life. And I realized I’m okay. Since I can't hide anymore, I might as well step forward and introduce myself. You know how a sponge works best at soaking up liquid when it’s already a little damp? Maybe we can view my chaotic life—full of loss, anger, helplessness, and sadness—as a way for me to better understand and support yours.”
Check out the complete essay by Lilly here.
