Ariana Grande was spotted with former boyfriend Ricky Alvarez in Austin, Texas, on June 25, just two weeks after reports surfaced that she and Ethan Slater had ended their relationship. The sighting occurred at De Nada Cantina while Grande was in the city for her Eternal Sunshine Tour.
Birthday Gathering, Not a Romantic Reunion
According to TMZ, the reunion was not romantic. Grande hosted a birthday gathering for friends ahead of her 33rd birthday on June 26, with Alvarez among those in attendance. The speculation online quickly emerged, but sources indicate the meeting was purely friendly.
Grande and Alvarez dated from 2015 to 2016 after working together on her Honeymoon Tour, where he performed as one of her backup dancers. Their relationship was brief but left a mark on her music.
Musical References to Alvarez
Grande's longtime friend and collaborator Victoria Monét revealed that the song "Moonlight" from the Dangerous Woman album was inspired by Alvarez. "That's what Ricky called her one night," Monét said. "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."
Alvarez has also been referenced in Grande's music beyond "Moonlight." During a recent stop on her Eternal Sunshine Tour, the singer updated the lyrics to her hit "Thank U, Next," changing the line from "Wrote some songs about Ricky / Now I listen and laugh" to "Wrote some songs about Ricky / And they still kinda slap."
No Public Comments
Neither Grande nor Alvarez has publicly commented on the recent sighting or the speculation surrounding their reunion. The singer continues her Eternal Sunshine Tour, which has featured several stops across the United States.
