Ariana Grande has had her fair share of headline-making romances, but one relationship that keeps making fans look back is her connection with Ricky Alvarez. Unlike some of her other high-profile relationships, her story with the dancer has stretched beyond a simple celebrity romance — moving from tour partners to a couple, then exes who appeared to stay on good terms.
Now, years after their split, Grande and Alvarez have sparked fresh reunion rumours after being seen together again. While neither has publicly confirmed their relationship, sources who have spoken to media outlets claim the pair are dating, prompting fans to revisit their history.
So, how did their relationship begin, and what happened between them?
How They First Fell for Each Other
Grande and Alvarez first crossed paths professionally before their relationship became romantic. Alvarez was a dancer on her The Honeymoon Tour in 2015, joining the singer as she performed across the world.
As they spent more time together on tour, their friendship appeared to grow closer. Fans began noticing their chemistry, and speculation increased after the pair shared a kiss during one of Grande's performances.
By the summer of 2015, reports confirmed that Grande and Alvarez were dating. The couple were spotted together on holidays and outings, but they largely kept their romance away from the spotlight. Alvarez became known to fans as one of Grande's early serious relationships, particularly because of their connection both on and off stage.
Viral Moment That Put Them Under Pressure
Dating one of the world's biggest pop stars meant that even small moments could quickly become major news. Grande and Alvarez found themselves at the centre of attention in 2015 after a controversial incident at a California doughnut shop, where the singer was caught on security footage licking doughnuts on display.
The video went viral, leading to criticism of Grande's actions. She later issued an apology, but the moment became one of the most talked-about events of that period in her career.
Despite the intense media coverage, Grande and Alvarez did not publicly share many details about their relationship. They appeared to keep their personal lives private while continuing to focus on their careers.
Why Did Grande and Alvarez Split?
After around a year together, Grande and Alvarez ended their relationship in 2016. Reports at the time suggested that the split was friendly, with their busy schedules making it difficult to maintain their romance.
Unlike some celebrity break-ups that play out publicly, their separation was relatively low-key. The two did not engage in public arguments or share negative comments about each other, which helped maintain speculation that they remained on good terms.
Years later, Grande even referenced Alvarez in her 2019 hit thank u, next. The song included the lyric 'Wrote some songs about Ricky, now I listen and laugh,' reflecting on past relationships and personal growth.
Staying Close After the Break-up
Although they stopped dating, Grande and Alvarez seemed to maintain a friendship over the years. Alvarez occasionally appeared in Grande's social media posts, and there was no sign of public tension between them.
Grande later entered other major relationships, including her engagement to comedian Pete Davidson and her marriage to Dalton Gomez in 2021. She and Gomez separated in 2023, with their divorce finalised in 2024.
She was also linked to Wicked co-star Ethan Slater, with their relationship becoming a major topic of discussion among fans and the media. Reports claimed they grew close while both were ending previous relationships, sparking backlash and 'homewrecker' accusations from some people.
Grande and Slater later ended their relationship, with their split reportedly coming months before her renewed closeness with Alvarez.
Meanwhile, Alvarez moved into photography and directing while maintaining a lower profile than the singer.
Are They Back Together?
According to a source who spoke to People, Grande and Alvarez have rekindled their romance after reconnecting, but they are taking things slowly. 'They're not jumping into anything serious right away, but Ari is happy to have him back in her life,' the insider said.
Neither Grande nor Alvarez has publicly confirmed that they are officially back together.
After nearly a decade since their first romance, their reunion has brought one of Grande's most memorable relationships back into the spotlight. Whether it leads to a full reconciliation or simply marks a new chapter in their bond, fans remain fascinated by the pair's unexpected second chance.
