Updated

Updated · Vulture · Jun 27

Ariana Grande Tweaks 2 Ricky Lyrics as Texas Lunch With Ex Ricky Alvarez Fuels Reunion Buzz

Updated

Updated · Vulture · Jun 27

Ariana Grande Tweaks 2 Ricky Lyrics as Texas Lunch With Ex Ricky Alvarez Fuels Reunion Buzz

Q: Is Ariana Grande's rekindled romance with an ex genuine, or a perfectly timed publicity stunt?

There is not enough verified evidence to say Ariana Grande has genuinely rekindled a romance with Ricky Alvarez, and there is also no solid proof it is a publicity stunt. What is confirmed is limited: Grande changed a “Thank U, Next” lyric during her Austin show, and paparazzi photos circulated showing her and Alvarez having a meal the next day. Given their dating history from 2015 to 2016 and reports that they stayed friendly afterward, those details are enough to spark speculation but not to establish a relationship. The timing naturally invites suspicion. Grande is on her first major tour since 2019, has a new album, “Petal,” arriving July 31, and remains under intense public scrutiny after her reported split from Ethan Slater. In that context, any personal-life hint can amplify attention. But that does not make it manufactured. Artists often tweak lyrics on tour, and reporting tied to the rumor cycle has also noted that viral claims of a confirmed reunion were false and that there is “no real proof” they are dating. The stronger reading, based on available facts, is that this is an unconfirmed rumor built on suggestive but thin evidence. It could reflect a friendly reunion, a renewed romance, or simply fan overinterpretation of a lyric change and a public outing. Until Grande or Alvarez addresses it directly, calling it either genuine or a stunt would go beyond the evidence.

3 articles · Updated · Vulture · Jun 27

June 26 brought a second onstage nod to Ricky Alvarez, with Grande changing “Thank U, Next” to “I know he still got my back” during her Austin-area tour run.
That followed her June 24 lyric swap from “now I listen and laugh” to “now they still kinda slap,” then a Texas lunch with Alvarez that a source said reflected the pair “hanging out recently.”
Alvarez also shook Grande’s father’s hand after the later lyric change, adding to fan speculation that the 2015-2016 exes may be reconnecting.
Grande has pushed back on similar rumors before, calling Alvarez “friends” in 2018, while the renewed attention comes after her reported split from Ethan Slater and the launch of her global tour.