Ariana Grande and Ricky Alvarez’s Full Relationship History

THE RUNDOWN

• Ariana Grande and Ricky Alvarez dated from 2015 to 2016 after meeting on her Honeymoon Tour.
• The former couple has remained friends in the years since their breakup.
• On July 14, People and TMZ revealed the pair is dating again.

Nearly a decade after ending their relationship, Ariana Grande and Ricky Alvarez are back in the public eye.

The former couple recently sparked reconciliation rumors after they were spotted spending time together in Texas and Florida during Grande’s Eternal Sunshine Tour. Grande also made multiple changes to the Ricky lyric in “Thank U, Next,” prompting fans to wonder whether the pair had rekindled their romance.

On July 14, People and TMZ confirmed that they were back on—but taking things slowly. “Ariana has always considered Ricky a friend,” a source told 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.”

Grande and Alvarez first met when he joined her as a backup dancer on her 2015 Honeymoon Tour. They dated for about a year before separating in 2016, but have maintained a friendly relationship ever since.

Below, a full timeline of everything we know about Ariana Grande and Ricky Alvarez’s relationship.

Grande and Alvarez met while he worked as a backup dancer on her Honeymoon Tour. They began dating that year.

Grande briefly spoke about their relationship in a Billboard cover story.

“We’re happy,” she said. “I’m a very happy girl. I have a healthy life right now, and I think that’s all anyone cares to know. The end.”

The story also included comments from Grande’s friend Victoria Monét, who shared that “Moonlight” was inspired by the beginning of Grande and Alvarez’s relationship.

“That’s what Ricky called her one night,” Monét said. “I think it was after their first kiss. He waited to kiss her for a long time, and she was really impressed. He’s such a gentleman, and the song is a great little bookmark of the start of their relationship.”

Multiple outlets reported that Grande and Alvarez had ended their relationship after about a year together.

Grande referenced Alvarez in her hit single “Thank U, Next,” singing, “Wrote some songs about Ricky / Now I listen and laugh.”

After the song’s release, Alvarez shared videos of himself reacting to the lyric on Instagram Stories.

“Nothing but gratitude,” he wrote. “Thank you, next… (those songs are fire tho… you’re welcome).”

Grande reposted his Stories and joked about the lyric herself.

“HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAH IM SORRY U GOT THE WORST LINE. It was meant v lovingly.”

When fans later speculated that the pair had reunited after they interacted on Instagram, Grande shut down the rumors herself in the comments of one of Alvarez’s posts.

“We’re friends everyone take a big ol breather,” she wrote.

Years later, Grande and Alvarez were photographed together in Austin, Texas, ahead of one of her Eternal Sunshine Tour stops. Photos circulating online showed them dining with a group while Grande celebrated her birthday in the city.

According to TMZ, sources familiar with the situation said Alvarez was one of several friends spending time with Grande and that the outing was purely platonic. People also reported that the pair had “been hanging out recently.”

During her Austin concerts, Grande also made noticeable changes to the Ricky lyric in “Thank U, Next.”

Earlier in the week, she sang, “Wrote some songs about Ricky / And they still kinda slap.” At another performance, she changed the line again, singing, “Wrote some songs about Ricky / I know he’s still got my back.”

Over Fourth of July weekend, Grande and Alvarez were photographed shopping together at a Whole Foods in Boca Raton, Florida, before heading to celebrate the holiday with Grande’s family, according to TMZ.

The outing came after Grande wrapped three sold-out Eternal Sunshine Tour shows in nearby Sunrise.

The following day, People published additional details about their friendship, citing a source who said Alvarez has been joining Grande for portions of her tour.

“She’s having a great time on tour. She loves having close friends join her for parts of the tour,” the source said. “Ricky has always been a friend and confidant. She really trusts him. He has such great, positive energy, makes her laugh, and she enjoys spending time with him.”

The source also addressed Grande’s life following her breakup from Ethan Slater.

“Her relationship with Ethan is 100 percent over. She’s focused on her tour and spending time with the people who have always been there for her,” the source said. “Ariana is having the best time reconnecting with fans and loves being onstage.”

Grande fueled reconciliation rumors herself a week later on July 13. She changed the Ricky lyric of “Thank U, Next” again during her Brooklyn show, singing, “Wrote some songs about Ricky / We always find our way back.”

Hours later on July 14, sources confirmed to People and TMZ that they were officially dating again. The insiders told both outlets that they were taking things very slowly.

“They’re not jumping into anything serious right away, but Ari is happy to have him back in her life,” a source told People. The insider added that they “have a similar, smart, dry sense of humor.”