For all to see: Ariana Grande and Ricky Alvarez in their first couple photo
After numerous hints, the star has officially confirmed her reunion with her ex-partner from a decade ago, sharing a couple photo on Instagram. While the image is slightly blurry, the affection is clear, and by tagging him, she has made the status of their relationship official for her millions of followers.
Ariana Grande (33) made her renewed relationship with ex-partner Ricky Alvarez (35) official this Wednesday evening on her Instagram account, which boasts 363 million followers. The two photos she shared, in which she tagged Alvarez, have already garnered over half a million likes and counting.
The pair, who are barely visible in the images, were in a relationship between 2015 and 2016, with rumors of a reconciliation surfacing last June. A source told People magazine that they have started dating again but are taking things very slowly.
"Ariana always saw Ricky as a friend. She hasn't held a grudge against him since the breakup. Ricky is reliable, trustworthy, and very supportive. Ariana feels she can be herself when she is with him," the source shared.
He further added that the two share a similar and clever sense of humor and are being careful at this stage. They are not jumping immediately into something serious, but Ari is happy to have him back in her life. Grande had hinted at the reunion recently, both during performances and by posting a Polaroid photo where she tagged Alvarez, who appeared to be the photographer. However, this is the first time they have shared a couple's selfie.
The star, who recently faced criticism regarding her thinness, will soon perform in London, with the first show scheduled for August 15. She is expected to conclude the tour there on September 1 before taking a pre-planned break. During her performance in Chicago earlier this month, Grande addressed the decision to step back from the public eye:
"The statement released yesterday by my representative regarding my break was not a reaction to anything or an impulsive decision. It is something I decided on, a plan I quietly prepared a long time ago, and it is a decision made from a calculated and empowered place. I want you to know that many things can be true at the same time."
She added that setting boundaries is sometimes necessary: "Humans sometimes need a break. And at the same time, this can be and will continue to be the greatest professional and creative experience of my life. Nothing stands in its way, and nothing will stand in its way."
Grande's now-official relationship comes less than three months after it was publicly revealed that the singer and her former partner, actor Ethan Slater, had decided to separate. As reported at the time, the split had occurred earlier, which likely explains the rapid progress in her life.
