AceShowbiz - Ethan Slater, known for his role as SpongeBob SquarePants on stage, has enthusiastically praised his girlfriend Ariana Grande's exceptional humor and the overall brilliance of the "Wicked" cast.

"She's so funny," Slater said on "The Jennifer Hudson Show". "She's a comedy genius. I mean, she's amazing in this film."

Despite Grande's well-known comedic talent, Slater emphasizes that the entire cast delivers outstanding performances.

"Everyone's amazing in this film," he continued. "Cynthia Erivo and Ari bring depth to these roles. The women who have played these roles on stage are incredible. But when you're doing a film, you're so close."

Slater lauded Grande and Erivo's ability to transition the Broadway show to the big screen.

"You know, the difference between when you're doing a role onstage and on film and you've just got to think those thoughts," he shared. "They were so beautiful and nuanced and unbelievable."

"And Ari's hilarious," he added. "I can't wait for people to see the takes that didn't make it in."

Slater's admiration for Grande's work extends beyond "Wicked."

"I'm just really, really proud of Ari and the work she's done on this," he said in a previous interview with GQ. "She's poured herself into it."

While "Wicked" is set to release on November 22, Slater and Grande's relationship has drawn media attention since meeting on set. Despite initial scrutiny, Slater has defended his girlfriend's character.

"There couldn't be a less accurate depiction of a human being than the one that the tabloids spread about [Slater]," Grande said in a Vanity Fair interview. "No one on this earth tries harder... for the people that he loves and cares about."

Slater also expressed his support during an interview with GQ. "It was an amazing year and a really beautiful thing," he said. "I'm just really excited to be there for this next step of it."