Ariana Grande was seen with ex-boyfriend Ricky Alvarez in Austin, Texas, on Thursday, weeks after news of her split from Ethan Slater emerged. Photos circulating on social media showed Grande, 31, at a restaurant with Alvarez, also 31, who was a backup dancer on her Honeymoon Tour in 2015.
A source close to Grande told TMZ that the meeting was not romantic, stating that she was "simply hanging out with friends for her 33rd birthday." The source added that "there is nothing romantic between Ariana and Ricky this time around." The singer was also reportedly seen taking photos with fans at the restaurant.
Grande and Alvarez have remained friends since their brief romantic link following the Honeymoon Tour. In 2019, Grande referenced Alvarez in her song "Thank U, Next," singing, "Wrote some songs about Ricky / Now I listen and laugh." The two were also seen together in New York City in 2019, though Grande quickly dismissed speculation of a renewed romance at the time.
The outing follows reports of Grande's split from "Wicked" co-star Ethan Slater, 34. A source told Page Six on June 8 that the couple "broke up several months ago but they’ve remained friends since then and have nothing but respect and admiration for one another." According to the source, the decision was mutual, with both realizing they were "better off friends than in a committed relationship."
The source added that Grande was "feeling really happy and focused on the next chapter with her ‘Eternal Sunshine’ tour and the upcoming release of her album ‘Petal.’"
Slater and Grande met in 2022 on the set of "Wicked." At the time of their meeting, Slater was married to Lilly Jay, with whom he shares a son, and Grande was married to Dalton Gomez. An insider hinted in December that the relationship between Slater and Grande may have been on-and-off prior to Grande's "Saturday Night Live" hosting gig that month.