Ariana Grande has fans wondering if an old flame could be making a comeback after she was linked to her ex Ricky Alvarez following her split from Ethan Slater. The Wicked star's relationship with Slater became a major talking point, and now attention has shifted towards Alvarez after the former couple were recently spotted spending time together again.
Grande and Alvarez first dated in 2015 before calling it quits in 2016, but they have remained friendly over the years. Now, after a string of public appearances and social media activity, fans are questioning whether their connection is simply a close friendship — or something more.
Fans Spot Grande's Name Across Alvarez's Instagram
The latest rumours began after screenshots appeared online that allegedly showed Ariana Grande liking Ricky Alvarez's Instagram posts. Fans quickly noticed that the singer's name appeared on almost every post, including some that were more than a year old.
One online user even joked: 'You weren't kidding about Ariana liking ALL of his posts. Who has time for that?'
The alleged likes have fuelled even more curiosity because they come at the same time as renewed sightings of the pair together. While Instagram interactions do not confirm a romantic reunion, fans have taken the online activity as another possible clue that something has changed between the two.
ariana has liked every one of ricky alvarez’s instagram posts since the start of 2025. pic.twitter.com/M6w2J6FSKR
— ꕤ ariana grande news network ꕤ (@arianagbnewsnet) July 9, 2026
Internet Reacts to Her Latest Romance Rumours
As screenshots spread across social media, fans had plenty to say about Grande's alleged Instagram activity.
Most of them focused less on Alvarez specifically and more on Grande's dating history, with some saying they wished celebrities would spend more time being single between relationships. 'Some people need to realise it's okay to be single,' one commenter wrote.
Others questioned why so many celebrities seem to enter new relationships quickly after breakups. A user commented: 'Like girl, please work on yourself first.'
Some reactions were also more critical, with fans saying they believed jumping from one relationship to another so quickly may not always be healthy.
A few expressed frustration over what they described as Grande's tendency to appear focused on romantic relationships. One user claimed: 'I think there is probably overlap of relationships in a lot of cases.'
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Recent Moments Keeping the Rumours Alive
The Instagram speculation comes after Grande and Alvarez were spotted together multiple times in recent weeks. The pair were seen shopping at Whole Foods in Florida, US, ahead of the Fourth of July celebrations before reportedly heading to the singer's parents' home for a family gathering.
The appearance stood out because spending time with someone's family is often seen as a more personal moment, especially for former couples who have been apart for years. However, the outing could also simply reflect the close friendship they have maintained since their breakup.
Fans also noticed Alvarez supporting Grande during her Eternal Sunshine Tour, including an appearance at her Texas concert. During the show, Grande changed a lyric in her song Thank U, Next —replacing the original line 'now I listen and laugh' with 'he's still got my back.'
The lyric change immediately caught attention, with many fans believing it was a sweet reference to Alvarez and their continued bond.
🚨🚨 new photo of ariana and ricky spotted in boca raton pic.twitter.com/2VwkgBxVKV
— cris :) (@itsarianait) July 7, 2026
So, Are They Back Together Again?
For now, there is no confirmation that Grande and Alvarez are officially back together. While their recent outings, alleged Instagram interactions and Grande's lyric change have sparked reunion rumours, neither the singer nor Alvarez has publicly said they are dating again.
At this stage, it appears the pair have simply grown close again, leaving fans to speculate about whether their renewed connection could become something more.
