Ariana Grande Fuels Ricky Alvarez Reunion Rumors With 'Thank U, Next' Lyric Change

Ariana Grande has sparked fresh speculation that she may have rekindled her romance with former boyfriend Ricky Alvarez after changing the lyrics to her hit song Thank U, Next during a concert in Brooklyn.

While performing at Barclays Center on July 13 as part of her Eternal Sunshine tour, Grande replaced the original lyric, “Wrote some songs about Ricky / Now I listen and laugh,” with, “Wrote some songs about Ricky / We always find our way back.” The unexpected change prompted loud cheers from the audience and quickly went viral on social media.

The singer has made similar lyric changes during recent tour stops. In Austin on June 26, she sang, “I know he’s still got my back,” while at an earlier show she used the line, “And they still kinda slap.”

Grande and Alvarez, a former backup dancer, dated for about a year before splitting in 2016. Recent reports have added to reunion rumors after the pair spent the Fourth of July weekend together in Florida with Grande’s family. A source told People that Alvarez remains a trusted friend and confidant who brings positive energy and makes the singer laugh.

Grande is currently midway through her 41-date Eternal Sunshine tour. Her eighth studio album, Petal, is scheduled for release later this month.