A Reconnected Friendship
Pop star Ariana Grande has recently been seen spending time with her former boyfriend, Ricky Alvarez. The two were spotted together on Saturday, July 4, leaving a Whole Foods location in Boca Raton, Florida.
According to an insider, the pair has maintained a deep connection over the years. The source noted: «There was a period in time where they weren’t close — while she was with Ethan [Slater] — so she is happy to reconnect with him again.» The source further emphasized that Grande is currently appreciative of his presence in her life, describing him as a significant source of support during this time.
A Shared History
The history between Grande and Alvarez dates back to 2015, when he joined her touring team as a backup dancer during the Honeymoon Tour. Their romantic relationship began in April of that year and lasted until they parted ways in July 2016.
Alvarez gained public attention when he was mentioned in Grande's 2018 hit single, «Thank U, Next.» In the song, she famously sang: «Wrote some songs about Ricky, now I listen and laugh.»
Recalling the track's release during a 2019 interview on the Zach Sang Show, Grande shared an anecdote about how Alvarez reacted to his mention in the song:
«Ricky loved it. He was proud. But Ricky was like, ‘Why did I get the worst line?’ And I was like, ‘What do you mean?’ He was like, ‘Everyone else’s line is so nice, and mine is like, ‘Man, f* him, he’s trash.’ I was like I could have said that. I could’ve said, ‘Wrote some songs about Ricky, never mind he’s trash.’ … But I didn’t. I said, ‘Now I listen and laugh.’”
Recent Life Changes
The singer's personal life has seen several shifts in recent years. Following her relationship with Alvarez, Grande dated Mac Miller and was briefly engaged to Pete Davidson. She was later married to Dalton Gomez from 2020 until 2024. After her separation from Gomez in 2023, Grande began a relationship with her Wicked co-star, Ethan Slater.
Reports recently confirmed that Grande and Slater have ended their relationship. An insider described the split as amicable, stating that the pair had decided to go their separate ways after careful consideration. According to the source, the two remain friends and have been quietly separated for several months.