Ariana Grande
Ricky Alvarez has shared new photos of Ariana Grande Instagram/Ricky Alvarez

Ricky Alvarez has sparked a heated reaction after sharing a new batch of photos featuring Ariana Grande, with fans quickly turning the comments into a debate about the singer's appearance and his role in her life.

The casual photo dump shows Grande posing in a red-and-white gingham dress with ruffled sleeves in two side-by-side portraits. Alvarez also included photos of white leather ballet flats and, more unexpectedly, a single razor blade.

That final image in particular caught some fans' attention, with commenters questioning the choice of pictures and the overall tone of the post. What could have been a simple collection of candid snapshots soon became another discussion about Grande's appearance and the intense scrutiny surrounding her.

Why Are Fans Blaming Ricky Alvarez?

Some fans directed their frustration towards Alvarez, arguing that his relationship with Grande should mean he has some responsibility for her wellbeing. 'They been together for months and he still hasn't brought her back to normal,' one X user said.

Other comments became more personal, including one person questioning: 'How does he get turned on with only skin n bones?'

One critic also bluntly wrote: 'Society again continuing to glamorize eating disorders 🙄'.

Meanwhile, another user said Grande's weight was not even their main concern, pointing instead to what they described as changes in her makeup, hair and styling. 'She just looks terrible,' one comment read.

But not everyone thought Alvarez should be blamed. Some fans pushed back strongly against the idea that Grande's partner should be responsible for changing her appearance or health.

'Don't put the f*cking blame on him,' one commenter wrote, adding: 'She had been this way for years SHE IS CHOOSING THIS AND SHE IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN CHANGE IT!!' The same commenter stressed that Grande is an adult and argued that fans should hold her accountable for her own decisions, instead of placing responsibility on Alvarez.

Rekindled Romance Amid Public Scrutiny

Ariana Grande and Ricky Alvarez first dated between 2015 and 2016 before remaining friends. Their relationship rekindled this year, after Grande's reported split from Wicked co-star Ethan Slater.

In June, Grande and Alvarez were then seen together in Texas and again during the Fourth of July weekend in Florida. These prompted speculation that their long-standing friendship had developed into something romantic again.

By August, the relationship appeared to become more public. Grande shared two photos featuring Alvarez on Instagram, while the pair were also photographed together in London.

But their renewed romance has arrived during another period of intense public interest in Grande, particularly discussions surrounding her appearance. The singer has previously spoken about how comments about people's bodies can be harmful and urged the public to be more considerate about what they assume from someone's appearance.

Grande has also discussed stepping back from public visibility following the tour, after her representative cited ongoing public scrutiny. She completed her 41-date Eternal Sunshine Tour with her final show in London on 1 September, marking the end of her live performances before taking a break from the public eye.