Pop star Ariana Grande has made her rumored relationship with dancer and photographer Ricky Alvarez Instagram official, sharing a photo carousel on Wednesday featuring the pair in matching white tops. The couple previously dated from 2015 to 2016, and the recent social media post comes as Grande prepares to complete her Eternal Sunshine tour.
The Bottom Line
- The Hard Launch: Grande shared a carousel of photographs on Instagram, including a shot with Ricky Alvarez wearing matching white tops and tagging his account.
- History Repeats: The pair originally dated between 2015 and 2016, with reconciliation rumors starting earlier this summer before sources confirmed they were taking things slowly.
- Stepping Back: The relationship milestone arrives just days after representatives confirmed Grande will take a planned break from public life following the conclusion of her tour.
From Backup Dancer to Instagram Hard-Launch
Pop culture moments rarely arrive without a bit of historical buildup, and Ariana Grande’s latest social media update is no exception. According to Yahoo News UK, the singer shared a carousel of photographs on Wednesday, featuring a snapshot of herself and Alvarez wearing matching white tops with his hand over her shoulder. Though their faces are cropped out, Grande tagged Alvarez directly, prompting him to reshare the image on his own Instagram story.
This social media officiality cements months of speculation. Rumors began swirling earlier this summer that the pair were rekindling their romance. The duo first dated from 2015 to 2016, when Alvarez worked as a backup dancer on Grande’s Honeymoon Tour. Their history even found its way into Grande’s discography; she referenced him in her 2018 track “Thank U, Next,” singing about how she “wrote some songs about Ricky, now I listen and laugh.” Earlier this summer during her Eternal Sunshine tour, eagle-eyed fans noted she altered those lyrics to sing, “We always find our way back.”
Inside the Reconciliation Timeline
As ELLE reported, Grande first teased the reunion on July 27 by tagging Alvarez in a Polaroid photo of herself that he seemingly captured. Sources close to the situation noted that reconciliation chatter began as early as June, with an insider revealing to People on July 14 that the pair were dating again but “taking things very slowly.”
The insider added that Grande has always considered Alvarez a friend and held no ill will following their initial split. Describing Alvarez as dependable, trustworthy, and supportive, the source emphasized that Grande feels comfortable being herself around him due to their shared dry sense of humor.
| Date / Period | Event | Source Context |
|---|---|---|
| 2015–2016 | Initial Relationship | Alvarez worked as a backup dancer on the Honeymoon Tour before they split. |
| June – July | Reconciliation Rumors | Sources reported the pair began dating again cautiously, taking things slow. |
| Wednesday | Instagram Official | Grande posted a photo carousel tagging Alvarez, featuring matching white tops. |
Tour Finales and Stepping Back from the Spotlight
The Instagram launch coincides with a major transitional period in Grande’s professional life. The pop star recently earned her sixth consecutive number one record on the UK album chart with Petal and is preparing for ten sold-out shows at The O2 in London starting August 15, which will wrap up her Eternal Sunshine tour on September 1.
However, this career high comes with a planned pivot away from public visibility. Representatives for Grande confirmed to People that she will take a step back from public life and appearances after completing the tour to escape ongoing public scrutiny. As part of this planned break, Grande also dropped out of the upcoming London revival of the Stephen Sondheim musical Sunday in the Park with George, where she was slated to appear alongside her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey.
Addressing fans during her August 3 concert in Chicago, Grande clarified that her decision was made from a thoughtful, empowered place. “The announcement that was made yesterday [by my rep about my break] was not a reactive or impulsive thing,” she told the crowd. “It is something that I have decided; it’s a plan that I had quietly made a long time ago, and it’s a decision that was made from a thoughtful and empowered place.”
The Broader Cultural Footprint
As she finishes out her London residency and looks toward a well-earned respite, the return of Ricky Alvarez into her inner circle marks a nostalgic and grounding full circle. Whether this low-key romance becomes a permanent fixture or remains a quiet chapter as she steps out of the spotlight remains to be seen. Drop a comment below and let us know your thoughts on Grande’s relationship throwback and her upcoming break from touring!
