Love has a funny way of coming full circle, especially in the fast-paced world of pop royalty. Ariana Grande is reportedly dipping her toes back into the dating pool, and she is doing so with a very familiar face from her past. Nearly a decade after their initial breakup, the Grammy-winning superstar, 33, has officially reunited with her former boyfriend and dancer, Ricky Alvarez. The reunion comes on the heels of Grande’s recent single status, sparking a wave of excitement among fans who have watched her romantic journey evolve through her art, her public highs and lows, and the deeply personal diary entries she shares through her music.
This unexpected rekindling follows Grande’s quiet split from Broadway star Ethan Slater, 34, with whom she parted ways earlier this spring after nearly three years of dating. According to close sources, the decision to end her relationship with Slater was entirely amicable, born out of careful consideration and a mutual understanding that it was time to go their separate ways. Following the breakup, Grande found solace and support in Alvarez. The two had experienced a brief period of distance during her relationship with Slater, making their recent reconnection in her hometown of Boca Raton, Florida—where they were spotted grocery shopping over the Fourth of July weekend—all the more meaningful and comforting for the singer.
For years, Alvarez has occupied a unique and permanent spot in Grande’s musical legacy. He originally entered her inner circle as a exceptionally talented backup dancer during her massive 2014 to 2015 Honeymoon Tour. Romance quickly blossomed on the road, leading to a year-long relationship that ended in 2016. Despite their split, the professional photographer and dancer remained a recurring character in the lore of her discography. Most famously, he was immortalized in Grande’s 2018 record-breaking anthem “Thank U, Next,” where she sang the iconic line, “Wrote some songs about Ricky / Now I listen and laugh”—a lyric that playfully cemented their history together in pop culture history.
Over the years, the exes maintained a lighthearted friendship, often joking about their public history. Grande previously recounted an interview on the Zach Sang Show where Alvarez teased her about getting the seemingly “worst” shout-out compared to her other exes in “Thank U, Next.” She recalled him jokingly complaining about his line, to which she laughingly pointed out that she easily could have written something far worse. This easygoing, humorous dynamic laid the groundwork for a lasting bond that survived the pressures of Hollywood. It proved that beneath the glitz of the stage, the pair shared a genuine, resilient connection that time and distance couldn’t quite erode.
Now, that bond has transformed into something romantic once again, and Grande isn’t shy about hinting at her happily restored love life on stage. During a recent concert at the Barclays Center in New York, the pop star sent shockwaves through the crowd by permanently altering the lyrics to “Thank U, Next.” Instead of her usual laughing sign-off, she proudly sang, “Wrote some songs about Ricky / We always find our way back,” prompting deafening cheers from fans. This followed a similar lyrical tease weeks earlier in Austin, Texas, where she sang, “Wrote some songs about Ricky / Know he still got my back,” leaving no doubt about where her heart currently resides.
Ultimately, Ariana Grande’s reunion with Ricky Alvarez is a heartwarming testament to the power of timing and the enduring strength of old flames. Friends close to the singer reveal that she is incredibly grateful to have Alvarez back in her life during this transitional chapter, describing him as a massive source of emotional support and stability. After years of navigating the turbulent waters of fame, divorce, and highly publicized breakups, Grande seems to have found peace by returning to a love that is safe, familiar, and grounded. It is a sweet reminder that sometimes, the best way to move forward in life is to embrace the people who have always had your back.
