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Ariana Grande and Ricky Alvarez are dating again, People and TMZ report. A source detailed to People their new dynamic and why they are taking things slowly. Grande and Alvarez first dated from 2015 to 2016 and remained friends even after their breakup.
Ariana Grande hinted that she’s dating ex Ricky Alvarez again during last night’s Brooklyn Eternal Sunshine Tour show. Now, sources have confirmed to People and TMZ that the two are indeed back together.
A source told People that the two are “taking things very slowly,” adding, “Although they don’t plan on tackling anything serious right away, Ali is happy to have him back in her life.”
Grande and Alvarez, the singer’s former backup dancer, first dated in 2015-2016 and have remained on good terms in the years since.
“Ariana always considered Ricky a friend,” the source explained. “She has no ill will toward him[since they broke up in 2016]. Ricky is dependable, trustworthy, and very supportive. Ariana feels like she can be herself around Ricky.”
She also enjoys how “funny” Alvarez is, the source shared. “They have a similar, smart, dry sense of humor.”
Last night, Grande seemed to confirm that they had rekindled their relationship by changing the lyrics about Alvarez in “Thank U, Next” from “I wrote some songs about Ricky/Now I listen to them and laugh” to “I wrote some songs about Ricky/We always get back together.”
Grande has been quietly single for the past few months. In June, People magazine revealed that she and Wicked actor Ethan Slater had broken up “several months ago.”
“It’s amicable. They spent a lot of time thinking carefully and decided to go their separate ways,” a source explained at the time. “They are still friends and very supportive of each other. They have been quietly parting ways for several months.”
Grande and Alvarez were first spotted together in June. On July 7, a source told People that Grande and Alvarez were really close.
“Ricky has always been a friend and confidant,” the source said. “She really trusts him. He has such great, positive energy, makes her laugh and enjoys spending time together.”
The source added that Grande is “doing great” after splitting from Slater.
“Her relationship with Ethan is 100 percent over. She is focused on touring and spending time with the people who have always helped her,” the source said. “Ariana is really enjoying reuniting with her fans and loves being on stage.”
