Pop megastar Ariana Grande has been romantically linked to her ex-boyfriend and former backing dancer Ricky Alvarez, 10 years after they split in 2016.
Ariana Grande has been romantically linked to her ex-boyfriend Ricky Alvarez – 10 years after they split.
The 33-year-old pop megastar is said to have grown close to her 35-year-old former backing dancer – who she dated from 2015 to 2016 – following her break up from Wicked co-star Ethan Slater, but the pair are said to be “taking things very slowly”.
A source told PEOPLE: “Ariana has always considered Ricky a friend.
“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.”
Into You hitmaker Ariana is said to find Ricky “funny”, and she is “happy” to have someone she “really trusts” back in her life.
The source added: “They have a similar, smart, dry sense of humour.
“They’re not jumping into anything serious right away, but Ari is happy to have him back in her life.”
Earlier this month, the pair are said to have spent the Fourth of July weekend together, along with Ariana’s family,
A source recently said: “Ricky has always been a friend and confidant.
“He has such great, positive energy, makes her laugh, and she enjoys spending time with him.”
Ariana famously name-checked Ricky – and some of her other exes, Pete Davidson, Mac Miller, and Big Sean – on her hit 2018 song Thank U, Next .
In one part of the song, she sings: “Wrote some songs about Ricky / Now I listen and laugh.”
The star is currently on her 41-date Eternal Sunshine tour, and she is said to have been changing some of the Thank U, Next lyrics to reference being on good terms with Ricky.
Grande has been heard singing: “Wrote some songs about Ricky / I know he’s still got my back.”
And she has also sang: “Wrote some songs about Ricky / And they still kinda slap.”
The source added: “She’s having a great time on tour. She loves having close friends join her for parts of the tour.”
In June, it was reported Ariana and Ethan had split, and it was said the pair – who were first romantically linked in July 2023 – had called time on their romance “several months” beforehand.
A source told PEOPLE: “It’s amicable, they gave lots of time and careful consideration and decided to go their separate ways.
“They are still friends and very supportive of one another.
“They have been quietly broken up for several months.”
Ariana Grande romantically linked to ex Ricky Alvarez 10 years after split
