Pop superstar Ariana Grande appears to have rekindled her romance with ex-boyfriend Ricky Alvarez, a decade after their initial split. Grande hinted at the reunion during a New York City concert Monday night by altering the lyrics to her hit song, "Thank U, Next." Instead of singing, "Wrote some songs about Ricky, now I listen and laugh," she performed, "We always find our way back." The change, along with multiple recent sightings of the pair together, has fueled speculation about their rekindled relationship.
Sources close to Grande confirm that she has been "hanging out" with Alvarez and that they are "dating again." The singer reportedly maintained contact with Alvarez even during her relationship with "Wicked" co-star Ethan Slater, though sources emphasize that Alvarez "never crossed the line while she was with Ethan." As Grande's relationship with Slater ended, she reportedly increased her contact with Alvarez, leading to them spending more time together, initially with mutual friends and later alone.
Alvarez, now a photographer, first met Grande in 2015 when he was a backup dancer for her. They dated for about a year before parting ways. Their recent closeness includes sightings at a restaurant in Austin last month during Grande's Eternal Sunshine tour, where she first subtly changed lyrics about him in concert. The pair were also photographed together on July 4th in Florida.
Sources indicate that Grande and Alvarez are happy to be back in each other's lives and are approaching this second chance with a different perspective. They are reportedly discussing past issues and making a conscious effort to avoid repeating mistakes, demonstrating a level of maturity and understanding not always associated with Grande's past relationships. This approach contrasts with the swift nature of some of her previous romances.
Grande's past relationships have often been the subject of public attention. Her relationship with Ethan Slater reportedly began while they were filming "Wicked" in 2023, shortly after Grande's divorce from Dalton Gomez and amid Slater's wife having recently given birth. While both camps maintained they were separated before becoming romantically involved, the timeline drew scrutiny. Grande subsequently released music seen as a response to critics of her relationships.
Information about Grande's rekindled relationship with Alvarez surfaced as concerns have also been raised about her recent dramatic weight loss. However, sources insist that this reunion with Alvarez is not a rebound, citing their long history and familiarity as a foundation for their reconnection, which they describe as natural rather than impulsive.
Ethan Slater reportedly learned of Grande's new relationship with Alvarez through mutual friends. Representatives for Grande have been contacted for comment.