Ariana Grande recently sparked speculation over a possible rekindled romance with her former partner, Ricky Alvarez, during a performance in Brooklyn as part of her Eternal Sunshine tour. The 33-year-old pop sensation turned heads on Monday, 13 July, by altering the lyrics of her song “Thank U, Next.”
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Grande has a long history with Alvarez, who was once her backup dancer. The couple reportedly dated for around a year before parting ways in 2016. Despite their breakup, Grande and Alvarez have maintained a close friendship, which has seemingly continued to flourish over the years.
During her concert at the Barclays Center, Grande held the attention of her fans as she sang a modified version of the familiar lyrics, now stating, “Wrote some songs about Ricky / We always find our way back.” This change has led fans to speculate whether the pair might be revisiting their romantic relationship a decade after they first split.
In the original lyrics from “Thank U, Next,” Grande sings, “Wrote some songs about Ricky / Now I listen and laugh.” However, her new rendition struck a different chord with the audience, who erupted in cheers and sung along enthusiastically, especially when the lyrics about Alvarez were performed. A clip of the moment quickly went viral on social media.
The musician’s representative declined to provide a comment when approached for clarification about this lyrical change, leaving fans to interpret the moment as they please. Grande, now on the eighth tour of her career, is also preparing for the release of her upcoming album, titled Petal, set to debut this month.
As she travels through ten cities for 41 tour dates, insiders share that Grande is enjoying the experience and embracing the presence of her close friends. Over the Fourth of July weekend, she was reported to have spent time in Florida with both her family and Alvarez, suggesting a deeper connection between the two.
“She’s having a great time on tour. She loves having close friends join her for parts of the tour,” a source confirmed. “Ricky has always been a friend and confidant. She really trusts him, and he brings such great, positive energy; he makes her laugh and she enjoys spending time with him.”
Grande has shown a tendency to alter the lyrics referring to Alvarez during her performances throughout the tour. Earlier this month, during a show at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, she sang, “Wrote some songs about Ricky / I know he’s still got my back.”Another variation performed just days earlier included the line, “Wrote some songs about Ricky / And they still kinda slap,” further underlining the close bond between the two.
In 2018, when “Thank U, Next” was first released, Alvarez took to his Instagram Stories to express his gratitude for the song, posting, “Nothing but gratitude. Thank you, next… (Those songs are fire tho… you’re welcome).” This positive interaction suggested a friendly rapport that remains intact.
While fans continue to speculate about a potential romantic reunion, Grande seems to be thoroughly enjoying her tour experience and the connections she shares with those around her. Whether this new twist in her lyrics signifies a revival of romance or simply celebrates an enduring friendship, it has undoubtedly captured the attention of her audience and highlighted the intertwined nature of her personal and professional life.