When you trace the tangled roots of today’s celebrity news, three names keep popping up: Blac Chyna, Rob Kardashian, and the pairing of Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater. Each of these relationships has been characterised by public attention, media scrutiny, and in many cases acrimony. But recently, an emergent narrative suggests that Chyna may be making a bold — and perhaps desperate — bid to re-ignite her connection with Rob, while the Grande-Slater pairing is facing reports of a “toxic split”.

This article examines: (1) Chyna and Kardashian’s history and current status; (2) the Grande/Slater relationship and the alleged turbulence; (3) how Chyna’s efforts may intersect with these developments and what this says about celebrity culture, co-parenting, and public reinvention.

Chyna & Rob Kardashian: A history of volatility, legal war and possible reconciliation

The story of Blac Chyna (birth name Angela White) and Rob Kardashian is one of abrupt rises, public drama and headline-grabbing legal fights. Chyna rose to prominence as a model and television personality. In early 2016, she and Rob began a relationship; the pair announced an engagement, and later had a child together: their daughter, Dream.

The relationship fizzled in short order — by end of 2016 and early 2017 the pair had separated. That breakup was followed by scandal: Rob posted nude photos of Chyna without her consent, and allegations of infidelity and substance use were made public.

Chyna then filed a high-stakes defamation lawsuit against the Kardashian-Jenner family, alleging their interference in her reality show and career. In May 2022 a jury found in favour of the Kardashian side, and Chyna was awarded no damages.

Yet, despite the acrimony, recent reports suggest something of a thaw. In October 2025, Chyna made a public Instagram post tagging Rob with the caption “This love is forever And in another report she called him “my person” and said the two are communicating and healing.

So what is going on now? According to insiders, the two are not officially back together — but they are in a better place. A source told The Sun that the ex-couple have become “very close” eight years after their split, aligned in their co-parenting of daughter Dream. Chyna for her part stated that co-parenting with Rob is “100 % amazing”.

But is there desperation beneath the surface? The language of “healing”, tagging of Rob in posts with romantic overtones, and Chyna’s visible enthusiasm all hint at a longing for more than just friendship or co-parenting. When someone posts “This love is forever” to their ex, the question becomes: is it sincere, symbolic, or part of a public-relations strategy?

Ariana Grande & Ethan Slater: From “seeing a future” to reports of split

On the other side of the celebrity relationship spectrum, Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater seemed like a fresh start. The two met on the set of the film adaptation of the musical Wicked, where Grande plays Glinda and Slater starred in a key role. Reports in 2023 described the relationship as serious: one insider toldUs Weekly that Grande “absolutely sees a future” with Slater.

However, whispers of trouble have begun circulating. While I found fewer publicly confirmed accounts of a full breakup (as of October 2025), media sources are already speculating about a “toxic split” scenario, with the relationship under strain. For example, one online commentary implied that if Grande and Slater do split, it might be under difficult circumstances

Key issues at stake may include:

The pressures of filming a major movie together while navigating personal transitions (Grande’s earlier divorce from Dalton Gomez).

The intense public scrutiny that Grande has always faced, and how that can impact a partner like Slater.

The possibility of underlying emotional or professional conflicts leaking into the relationship — hence the “toxic” label.

In celebrity relationships, “toxic split” is a heavily-loaded phrase, often used when one or both partners are seen to act out publicly, or when relationship problems involve issues of trust, mental health, addiction, or large power asymmetries. There is no confirmed smoking-gun yet, but the context suggests the duo may be under pressure.

How Chyna’s move, the Grande/Slater dynamic and celebrity co-parenting intersect

At first glance, the story of Chyna & Rob and that of Grande & Slater might appear distinct. However, they share several thematic overlaps which suggest why the media is linking them (implicitly) under the headline of “desperate attempt … toxic split”.

Reinvention and second chances: Chyna has been trying to reshape her public image — from the highly sensationalised reality TV subject to someone focused on motherhood and faith (she announced in 2023 that she had been baptised and converting). In trying to reconnect with Rob, it may be part of a broader personal reinvention. Grande and Slater likewise began their relationship as a hopeful “fresh start” for Grande; if that relationship now falters, it raises questions about how second-chance relationships survive under public pressure.

Co-parenting and legacy: For Chyna and Rob the issue is clear: they share daughter Dream, and the narrative of co-parenting well has become a recurring motif. Recent quotes suggest they are emphasising the positive side of raising their child together despite the past drama. This is relevant because the media often uses co-parenting as a framing device in celebrity relationship narratives — how you leave a relationship matters almost as much (or more) than how you start it. Grande doesn’t share children with Slater (at least publicly) as of yet, but her role as a mother-figure in public discourse (to fans, to her own evolving self) adds pressure to any relational instability.

The desperation dynamic: Why might the word “desperate” enter this story? For Chyna, the desperation may be inferred by the public nature of her moves toward Rob — tagging him, calling him “my person”, speaking of future children, etc. She has strong financial and career incentives to frame her story positively (co-parenting success, relationship “healing”, brand re-launch). For Grande/Slater, if the relationship is indeed under strain or entering a “toxic split” phase, then the dynamic of desperation might apply in how each partner reacts: clinginess, public statements, shifting narratives, potential leaks or storytelling via media. The headline idea of “toxic split” often carries the implication of one or both parties failing to move on healthily.

The public-private boundary and reputation management: Both stories underscore the challenge of maintaining real intimacy and authenticity when every move is under media and social-media microscope. For Chyna, her earlier relationship with Rob was rife with public revelations (instagram posts, legal filings, leaks) — managing that legacy is part of her current narrative. For Grande and Slater, being high-profile brings its own risk of any split turning into a spectacle rather than a private matter.

What next? Risks, signs, and watchers’ guide

For Chyna & Rob:

If they genuinely move toward reconciliation rather than just co-parenting peace, it may change the narrative of Chyna’s brand: from dramatic ex-partner to stable mother and partner.

But moving too quickly or publicly (for example, posting symbolic love captions before a formal reunion) raises risk: she may appear to be using Rob’s name/headline for relevance.

We should watch for signs like: official joint appearances, new social-media posts together, statements by both parties about relationship status. If nothing happens, the “desperate attempt” framing will hold more weight.

For Grande & Slater:

Look for concrete indicators of tension: fewer public appearances together, social-media silence or cryptic posts, leaks of long-time sources.

Also watch for how they individually respond: public statements about needing space, “taking a break”, mental-health absences, or professional announcements that coincide with personal changes.

If a split is indeed “toxic”, we might see narratives of blame, infidelity or financial/contractual dispute (especially since their joint project Wicked may overshadow private relations).

Broader implications:

How celebrities manage break-ups and reconciliations increasingly feels like brand management rather than pure personal choice.

Co-parenting in the public eye (as with Chyna/Rob) has become a key narrative pivot: demonstrating “I got this” helps mitigate earlier scandal.

The social-media era means that the public-face of a relationship can diverge significantly from the private reality — and that gap often becomes part of the story.