Ariana Grande, Ricky Alvarez are 'taking things very slowly' after rekindling romance, source says

Ariana Grande and Ricky Alvarez are reportedly taking a measured approach to their rekindled romance, with a source saying the former couple are prioritising their longstanding friendship rather than rushing back into a serious relationship.

According to a source who spoke exclusively to People, Grande, 33, and Alvarez, 35, have reconnected romantically after years of remaining close friends following their 2016 split.

"They're not jumping into anything serious right away," the source said. "They're taking things very slowly."

The insider added that the pair's history together has made the reunion feel natural.

"They've always shared a close bond. She really trusts him. He's always been someone she can count on."

Grande and Alvarez first dated from 2015 to 2016 after he worked as one of her backup dancers during the Honeymoon Tour. Although their romantic relationship ended, they remained close friends over the years, with Alvarez continuing to be part of her inner circle.

Recent weeks have fuelled speculation that the two had rekindled their relationship. Alvarez spent the Fourth of July holiday with Grande and her family in Florida and has joined the singer during several stops on her ongoing Eternal Sunshine Tour.

Fans also noticed Grande making increasingly affectionate changes to the Ricky Alvarez lyric in her hit Thank U, Next. During her July 13 concert at Brooklyn's Barclays Center, coinciding with Alvarez's birthday, she sang: "Wrote some songs about Ricky / We always find our way back."

The revised lyric replaced the original "Now I listen and laugh," prompting loud cheers from the audience and intensifying rumours about the pair's relationship. It was the latest in a series of lyric changes Grande has made during the tour.

Despite the renewed romance, the source stressed that neither Grande nor Alvarez is putting pressure on the relationship.

Instead, they are enjoying spending time together while allowing things to develop naturally, with their years of friendship providing a strong foundation.

Grande is currently midway through her 41-date Eternal Sunshine Tour and is preparing to release her eighth studio album, Petal, later this month. While neither she nor Alvarez has publicly addressed their relationship status, those close to the pair say they are simply happy reconnecting, one step at a time.