Ariana Grande romantically reunited with her ex-boyfriend Ricky Alvarez nearly 10 years after they initially went their separate ways. However, they remained friends throughout all these years. But following the Oscar nominee's recent split from Wicked co-star Ethan Slater, rumors surfaced in July 2026 that Grande and Alvarez had renewed their previous affair. The Grammy-winning artist has now formally announced their reconciliation in a recent Instagram post. 

Now, with this new development, many people are curious about who Ricky Alvarez actually is and what he does.

Ricky Alvarez was raised in San Diego, California, and was born Richard John Alvarez on July 13, 1991. Alvarez developed a love for dancing at an early age and finally made it his full-time job in the entertainment industry, despite the fact that he has kept much of his private life out of the public eye.

Alvarez began his career as a professional dancer, dancing with some of the biggest names in pop music. He participated in live performances and music videos for songs including 'Problem' and 'Santa Tell Me' after joining Ariana Grande's dance squad in 2014. Alvarez joined Grande as a dancer on her Honeymoon Tour, which began in February 2015 to promote her 'My Everything' album. 

After the couple kissed onstage at a Pride performance later that year, fans started to speculate that they were dating. Their relationship was officially verified in July 2015 when they were seen kissing while visiting a donut shop in California. After over a year together, they finally broke up in 2016.

“They Need to Be Set” - Ariana Grande Draws Boundaries Advocating Her Break

Ricky has since then blossomed into a professional photographer and filmmaker, making it his only focus now.

Ricky Alvarez has developed his career behind the camera in recent years, working as a creative director, photographer, and filmmaker. He has worked on tour content, portrait photography, and visual projects. In 2019, he joined Ariana Grande's team as a photographer and filmmaker for her Sweetener World Tour. His social media pages, where he promotes travel, photography, and artistic endeavors, frequently highlight his work.

The couple is now back for good, and there were signs. When Alvarez went to Grande's Eternal Sunshine concert in Austin, Texas, in June 2026, his then-ex traded his line, 'Thank U, Next.' Fans saw Alvarez smiling as she sang, "Wrote some songs about Ricky, now he still got my back," during the live performance. A few weeks later, while performing in Brooklyn, New York, Grande gave Alvarez another shout-out. She sang, "Wrote some songs about Ricky / We always find our way back." It seems like no subtle plug-ins are needed now.

Ariana Grande to Step Back From Public Eye Over ‘Endless Scrutiny’, Reps Claim

Did you know about Ricky Alvarez’s background and his history with Ariana Grande? Do let us know.