Ariana Grande and ex Ricky Alvarez are ‘hanging out’ after Ethan Slater split, source says

Ariana Grande has sparked fresh speculation about her love life after being spotted spending time with ex-boyfriend Ricky Alvarez, but a source insists the pair are simply reconnecting.

The singer and actress was recently seen having lunch with Alvarez in Austin, Texas, prompting fans to wonder whether the former couple had rekindled their romance following Grande's split from Wicked co-star Ethan Slater.

According to a source who spoke to People, Grande and Alvarez "have been hanging out recently". However, no further details were given about the nature of their relationship, and Grande's representative declined to comment.

The sighting came shortly after Grande fuelled fan speculation during her Eternal Sunshine Tour. While performing her 2018 hit Thank U, Next in Austin, she twice altered the lyric about Alvarez. At one show she sang, "Wrote some songs about Ricky / And they still kinda slap," before changing it again during her birthday concert to, "Wrote some songs about Ricky / I know he's still got my back." Alvarez was in attendance and was seen smiling after the shout-out.

Grande and Alvarez dated from 2015 to 2016 after meeting while he worked as one of her backup dancers on the Honeymoon Tour. Although they ended their relationship nearly a decade ago, they have remained on good terms, with Grande previously shutting down rumours of a reunion in 2019 by insisting she was not dating anyone.

The renewed attention on their friendship comes just weeks after it was confirmed that Grande and Slater had quietly ended their relationship after nearly three years together. Sources previously said the split was amicable, with both stars remaining supportive of one another.

While fans continue to speculate about whether the former couple have found their way back to each other, there has been no indication from Grande or Alvarez that their recent outings are romantic. For now, the only confirmed detail is that the pair have been spending time together again.