Ariana Grande Spotted With Ex Ricky Alvarez After Split From Ethan Slater

Just two weeks after multiple U.S. media outlets reported that Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater had officially ended their relationship, the pop superstar has once again found herself at the center of public attention after being seen alongside her ex-boyfriend Ricky Alvarez in Austin, Texas. Photos of the pair dining together at a local restaurant quickly fueled speculation over whether the former couple—who dated nearly a decade ago—might be rekindling their romance.

According to photos circulating on social media and several entertainment news outlets, Ariana Grande was spotted at De Nada Cantina in Austin on June 25 while in Texas for performances on her Eternal Sunshine Tour. What immediately caught fans’ attention was that she was accompanied by Ricky Alvarez, her former boyfriend who dated the singer from 2015 to 2016.

However, sources close to the situation were quick to dismiss rumors of a romantic reunion. TMZ reported that Ariana had organized a birthday gathering for her 33rd birthday on June 26, and Ricky Alvarez was simply one of several friends invited to celebrate with her. Cosmopolitan also noted that the group was seen dining together at De Nada Cantina, rather than Ariana and Ricky having a private dinner as early rumors had suggested.

Even so, Ricky’s appearance at Ariana’s birthday celebration sparked curiosity among fans, as the pair shared a relatively private relationship that nevertheless left a lasting impact on both Ariana’s personal life and her music.

Ricky Alvarez is a professional dancer who performed as one of Ariana’s backup dancers during her Honeymoon Tour. The two began dating in 2015 after working together for an extended period. Although their relationship lasted only about a year, Ricky is widely believed to have had a significant influence on Ariana’s emotions and creative inspiration during that chapter of her life.

In a rare interview with Billboard for the magazine’s May 2016 cover story, Ariana briefly opened up about her relationship.

“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.”

Although she avoided discussing her boyfriend in detail, the brief response reflected Ariana’s preference for keeping her relationship private rather than turning it into a media spectacle.

During the same interview, Ariana’s longtime friend and collaborator Victoria Monét revealed the inspiration behind “Moonlight,” a track from the Dangerous Woman album. According to Victoria, Ricky Alvarez was the one who first gave Ariana the nickname “Moonlight.”

“That’s what Ricky called her one night,” Victoria Monét explained. “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.”

Beyond “Moonlight,” Ricky Alvarez reportedly inspired several other Ariana Grande songs. During her recent tour, the singer even updated one of the most recognizable lyrics from her hit “Thank U, Next.” Instead of singing, “Wrote some songs about Ricky / Now I listen and laugh,” Ariana now performs, “Wrote some songs about Ricky / And they still kinda slap,” a subtle change that reflects a more appreciative view of both their shared memories and the music created during that period of her life.

Ricky’s appearance comes just as Ariana Grande has recently ended her relationship with Ethan Slater. The two were first linked romantically in 2023 after working together on the film adaptation of Wicked. Their romance immediately attracted widespread attention because Ethan had recently separated from his longtime wife, Lilly Jay, while Ariana had also ended her marriage to Dalton Gomez.

From the beginning, Ariana and Ethan’s relationship generated significant controversy online. Many critics argued that the timing of their romance was problematic since both had only recently left their marriages. However, those close to the couple repeatedly insisted that public assumptions about the timeline were inaccurate and that there was no overlap between the relationships, despite widespread speculation.

Throughout their relationship, Ariana and Ethan remained notably private. They rarely appeared together at major public events and were only occasionally photographed while dining out or attending theater performances. They also almost never shared photos of each other on social media.

By mid-June 2026, multiple sources confirmed that Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater had ended their relationship after nearly three years together. According to insiders, the breakup was amicable, with both continuing to respect one another. There has been no indication that Ricky Alvarez’s appearance in Austin had anything to do with the split.

At this stage of her career, Ariana Grande is enjoying one of the busiest and most successful periods of her professional life. Following the tremendous success of Eternal Sunshine, she is currently touring the world with a series of sold-out performances. Critics have praised the album as one of her most mature works, exploring heartbreak, healing, emotional growth, and self-discovery following several major life changes.

Alongside her music career, Ariana has continued expanding her work in film. Her portrayal of Glinda in the Wicked film adaptation has been widely regarded as a career milestone, showcasing her acting abilities after years of primarily focusing on music. The film has attracted global attention and further strengthened Ariana’s position as one of entertainment’s most recognizable stars.

Born in Florida in 1993, Ariana Grande first rose to fame through Nickelodeon television shows before transitioning into music. Blessed with a four-octave soprano vocal range and exceptional vocal technique, she quickly became one of the most successful female artists of her generation. Albums topping international charts and global hits including “Problem,” “No Tears Left to Cry,” “7 Rings,” “Positions,” “Thank U, Next,” and “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” have cemented her status as a worldwide pop icon.

Despite her remarkable career achievements, Ariana’s personal life has remained a constant source of media fascination. Before dating Ricky Alvarez and Ethan Slater, she was romantically linked to Big Sean, Mac Miller, Pete Davidson, and Dalton Gomez. The death of rapper Mac Miller in 2018 deeply affected Ariana, who has spoken openly about her grief and described it as one of the most painful experiences of her life.

In 2021, Ariana married real estate agent Dalton Gomez in an intimate private ceremony. However, the marriage lasted only about two years before the couple finalized their divorce. She later entered a relationship with Ethan Slater, once again becoming the focus of international media coverage.

Outside of music and acting, Ariana has also built a successful business empire. Her cosmetics brand, r.e.m. beauty, has continued expanding and has become one of the most prominent celebrity-owned beauty brands. She also actively supports charitable causes, donating to organizations focused on mental health, women’s rights, and the LGBTQ+ community.

After experiencing numerous personal and professional challenges, Ariana Grande has increasingly chosen to keep her private life out of the spotlight. Unlike earlier in her career, when she frequently discussed her relationships publicly, the singer now prefers to let her music and artistic projects speak for themselves.

For that reason, her appearance alongside Ricky Alvarez quickly became a major topic of discussion.

Nevertheless, all available information indicates that the meeting was simply a friendly reunion during Ariana’s birthday celebration rather than evidence of a romantic reconciliation. Even so, because Ricky played an important role in both Ariana’s personal journey and musical evolution, his appearance has inevitably revived memories of a meaningful chapter in her life and continues to captivate fans around the world.