Ariana Grande Rekindles Romance With Ricky Álvarez, Plans to Step Back From Spotlight

Ariana Grande shared her rekindled relationship with Ricky Álvarez on Instagram on Aug. 12. She posted photos showing them together for the first time since they reunited. The pop star included two snapshots featuring her former backup dancer. One had matching clothes, and his arm was draped over her shoulder. In another blurry mirror shot, she sported blue fairy wings.

The 33-year-old singer first dated Álvarez, 35, from 2015 to 2016. They stayed friends after breaking up. Fans spotted them in Austin, Texas, on June 26, when he showed up at her concert.

"Ariana has always considered Ricky a friend," a source said, according to PEOPLE. "She's not held ill will against him [since their split]. Ricky is dependable, trustworthy, and very supportive. Ariana feels she can be herself around Ricky."

Another source told PEOPLE in July that they were "taking things very slowly" as they got back together. "They're not jumping into anything serious right away, but Ari is happy to have him back in her life," the insider said.

This news arrived months after Grande split from Wicked co-star Ethan Slater in June. They'd been together for nearly three years. Grande was married to Dalton Gomez from 2021 until their divorce became official in March 2024.

She's been switching up lyrics to her 2018 hit, "Thank U, Next," during tour shows. The tour will conclude with 10 shows in London starting on Aug. 15. The final performance will happen on Sept. 1 at The O2 arena. Her next project will be the comedy movie, Focker In Law, hitting theaters in November.