Ariana Grande's on-again boyfriend, Ricky Alvarez, showed his support at her "Eternal Sunshine" concert in Brooklyn on Saturday night. Alvarez, a former backup dancer for Grande, was observed singing and dancing to her performance of "Imperfect for You" at the Barclays Center.
Fan footage shared on TikTok depicted Alvarez, dressed in a plaid shirt and navy beanie, actively participating in the concert, waving his phone's flashlight. The lyrics he sang along to included, "How could we know / We'd rearrange all the cosmos? Mm / We crashed, and we burned / Now I just can't go where you don't go…."
Alvarez, 35, who has transitioned from professional dancing to photography and directing, has been a visible presence in Grande's life since reports emerged last month about her separation from "Wicked" co-star Ethan Slater.
Rumors of a rekindled romance between Grande and Alvarez began circulating after he was seen at her birthday show in Austin, Texas, on June 26. He was also observed shaking hands with Grande's father, Ed Butera, during a performance where she altered the lyrics of her song "thank u, next." Instead of singing, "Wrote some songs about Ricky / Now I listen and laugh," Grande performed, "Wrote songs about Ricky / We always find our way back."
Earlier in the week, on June 25, Grande, Alvarez, and other friends were photographed at a restaurant in Austin. While an initial source suggested to TMZ that "there is nothing romantic between Ariana and Ricky this time around," subsequent public appearances suggest otherwise.
The couple was seen displaying public affection during a walk in New York City's Central Park, according to photos published by TMZ on Thursday. Grande and Alvarez previously dated from April 2015 to July 2016, after meeting during her "Honeymoon Tour." Despite their past romantic involvement, they have maintained a close friendship over the years.
Alvarez's reappearance coincides with reports that Grande ended her relationship with Ethan Slater. Grande and Slater, who met on the set of the musical "Wicked," reportedly began their romance in July 2023, around the same time reports surfaced about Grande's separation from her husband, Dalton Gomez. Grande and Gomez reportedly separated in January 2023.
A source told the Daily Mail that Grande and Slater mutually decided to part ways after careful consideration, and the breakup was amicable.
Grande is currently on her "Eternal Sunshine" tour, which began on June 6 in Oakland, California, and is scheduled to conclude on September 1 in London. She is also preparing for the release of her eighth studio album, "Petal," on July 31. The album features the track "Hate That I Made You Love Me," which a source described as a multi-layered message about public scrutiny and her complex relationship with the media and fans.
Sources close to Grande have indicated that she finds Alvarez dependable, trustworthy, and supportive, noting that she feels she can be herself around him. They reportedly share a similar, dry sense of humor, and while they are not rushing into anything serious, Grande is happy to have him back in her life.