Ariana Grande Changes “thank u, next” Lyric for Ricky Alvarez as 2 Sightings Stoke Reunion Rumors
Updated
Updated · Harper's BAZAAR · Jul 16
Ariana Grande Changes “thank u, next” Lyric for Ricky Alvarez as 2 Sightings Stoke Reunion Rumors
3 articles · Updated · Harper's BAZAAR · Jul 16
Summary
At her New York City Eternal Sunshine tour stop, Ariana Grande changed “thank u, next” from “Now I listen and laugh” to “We always find our way back,” sharpening speculation about Ricky Alvarez.
The lyric tweak followed two recent public appearances with Alvarez — Grande’s June 26 birthday celebration in Austin and a Fourth of July weekend outing in Boca Raton, Florida.
Ricky Alvarez, Grande’s former backup dancer, dated her from 2015 to 2016 and was originally referenced in “thank u, next” as one of her notable exes.
People reported the pair are reconnecting slowly, with a source saying Grande has long viewed Alvarez as dependable and supportive after her reported split from Ethan Slater earlier in 2026.