🔥 Trending Who is Ricky Alvarez? Everything to Know About Ariana Grande's Ex-Boyfriend

Ricky Alvarez is an American dancer, choreographer, and photographer who gained significant public recognition through his professional work with pop superstar Ariana Grande, particularly during their romantic relationship ⁴⁶. He is also known for his continued friendship and professional collaborations with Grande after their breakup ⁴.

Early Life and Career

Richard John "Ricky" Alvarez was born on July 13, 1991, in San Diego, California ⁴. He established himself as a talented dancer and choreographer, working with various artists before his prominent role with Ariana Grande ⁶.

Relationship with Ariana Grande

Alvarez first became widely known as one of Ariana Grande's backup dancers. Their professional relationship evolved into a romantic one, which garnered substantial media attention ¹⁶. Their relationship lasted for about a year, from 2015 to 2016 ¹.

Key Moments in Their Relationship

• "Donut-gate" Incident (2015): Alvarez was with Grande during the infamous "donut-licking" incident at a donut shop, which drew considerable public scrutiny ¹.
• "Thank U, Next" Mention (2018): Grande famously referenced Alvarez in her hit song "Thank U, Next" with the line, "Wrote some songs about Ricky, now I listen and laugh" ³. Alvarez reacted positively to this mention, even sharing a video of himself listening to the song ³.

Post-Breakup Friendship and Recent Speculation

Despite their romantic split, Alvarez and Grande have maintained a close friendship and professional connection ⁴. They have frequently shown mutual support and have been seen together on multiple occasions, sparking reconciliation rumors over the years ¹⁵.

Recent Developments (2026)

• Reunion Rumors (July 2026): In July 2026, speculation about a potential romantic reunion between Alvarez and Grande intensified after fans noticed several clues and reports of them reconnecting ⁵⁷.
• "Thank U, Next" Lyric Change (June 2026): During Grande's birthday show in Austin, Texas, on June 26, 2026, she reportedly changed the lyrics to "Thank U, Next" to "Wrote some songs about Ricky, now I listen and think and laugh," which further fueled dating rumors ³. Alvarez was present in the VIP pit during this performance ³.
• Continued Trust and Presence on Tour (July 2026): Reports from July 2026 indicate that Grande "really trusts" Alvarez, and he has been seen hanging out with her and her family during her "Eternal Sunshine" tour, including a July 4th celebration in Florida ⁸.

Other Endeavors

Beyond his dancing career, Alvarez is also involved in photography ⁴. He maintains an active presence on social media, with over 269,000 followers on Instagram as of July 2026, where he shares aspects of his life and work ².