Sean Hayes once turned down Ariana Grande’s sleepover invite due to massive age gap: ‘I’m 45 years old!

Sean Hayes once turned down a sleepover invite from Ariana Grande when they co-starred in “Hairspray Live!”

“I don’t know why I’m remembering this, but one of the cutest, greatest things you ever did — this was around 10 years ago, when we were doing ‘Hairspray Live!'” the “Will & Grace” alum recalled during Monday’s episode of his “SmartLess” podcast.

“We were sitting in the makeup trailer and you said to me, ‘Hey, there’s a few of us going to my house after later on tonight, we’re going to get totally wasted and then sleep over, and in the morning my mom’s going to make us pancakes.'”

Although Hayes, now 54, thought the gesture was “so sweet,” he declined by telling Grande, “Ariana, I am 45 years old!”

Sean Hayes — pictured here in August 2024 — revealed he once declined a sleepover invite from Ariana Grande. Getty Images for SiriusXM The pop sensation and Hayes were co-starring in “Hairspray Live!” in 2016 when Grande invited the cast over for a party at her home. Getty Images for Palm Springs International Film Society “We were sitting in the makeup trailer and you said to me, ‘Hey, there’s a few of us going to my house after later on tonight, we’re going to get totally wasted and then sleep over, and in the morning my mom’s going to make us pancakes,'” Hayes recalled while speaking to Grande on Monday’s “SmartLess” episode. (Credit too long, see caption)

Earlier in the interview, the “Wicked” star told Hayes that she was “so scared” to hear his memory from their time together on the set.

After he recounted the story, Grande, now 31, was in disbelief that she would’ve ever spoken so candidly.

“I can’t believe that that’s how I would have ever said anything ever, and I actually do remember that cast party,” she said. “That was so funny. … It was a long time ago.”

Although Hayes thought the gesture was “so sweet,” he declined by telling her, “Ariana, I am 45 years old!” Sean Hayes/Instagram The “We Can’t Be Friends” songstress was in disbelief that she had spoken to her former co-star so candidly. FilmMagic

Will Arnett — who co-hosts the podcast with Hayes and Jason Bateman — laughed at the story.

“You said: ‘I am 45 years old, I’ll see you for the pancakes,'” he teased Hayes.

Later in the conversation, the “Sean Saves the World” actor gushed over Grande’s boyfriend, Ethan Slater, who is also a Broadway actor.

“I just wanted to bring up that your boyfriend is a very good friend of mine,” Hayes said, to which the pop star replied, “Yes! He loves you so much.”

“I can’t believe that that’s how I would have ever said anything ever, and I actually do remember that cast party,” Grande said. “That was so funny. … It was a long time ago.” Paul Drinkwater/NBC Hayes co-hosts the “SmartLess” podcast with Jason Bateman and Will Arnett. SmartLess/SiriusXM

“I love him too! Ethan Slater, he’s one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet in your life. He did ‘Good Night, Oscar’ with me in Chicago and then he was in ‘Wicked,'” Hayes explained.

“And now you guys are dating and I love that! You guys make a perfect couple.”

Grande went on to call Slater, 32, “amazing.”

Later in the podcast episode, Hayes gushed over Grande’s boyfriend, Ethan Slater, and called him one of the “nicest people.” Getty Images for National Board of Review Grande and Slater starting dating after meeting on the set of “Wicked.” Variety via Getty Images

The “Thank U, Next” songstress starred with Hayes in “Hairspray Live!” in 2016.

The live production, which was televised on NBC, followed the 2002 Broadway musical and the 2007 film “Hairspray.”

Although Grande and Slater have their theater background in common, the couple met while filming “Wicked” in the UK.

The Grammy winner was previously married to Dalton Gomez. The two finalized their divorce in March 2024.

Slater, meanwhile, filed for divorce from his ex-wife, Lilly Jay, in July 2023.