A Shift in Narrative
Pop star Ariana Grande has once again sparked intense speculation regarding her personal life after modifying the lyrics of her 2018 hit “Thank U, Next” during her July 13 performance at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The 33-year-old singer, currently on her Eternal Sunshine tour, altered the line referencing her former boyfriend, dancer Ricky Alvarez.
In the original version of the song, Grande sings, “Wrote some songs about Ricky / Now I listen and laugh.” However, during Monday’s show, she performed the revised lyrics: “Wrote some songs about Ricky / We always find our way back.” This marks the third lyrical variation Grande has introduced to the song during her recent tour, signaling a potential shift in her relationship with Alvarez.
A Pattern of Public Allusions
The progression of these lyrical changes has been closely tracked by fans. On June 26 in Austin, Texas, Grande first surprised the audience by singing, “Wrote some songs about Ricky / Know he still got my back.” Alvarez was reportedly present at that performance, standing near the singer’s family in the VIP section.
The public interest in the pair has intensified following reports that the two have been spending time together. Sources close to the situation confirmed that Grande and Alvarez have maintained a close bond, with the two spotted together over the July 4 holiday weekend in Boca Raton, Florida. These developments follow Grande’s reported split from her Wicked costar Ethan Slater earlier this summer.
Background and Context
Grande and Alvarez previously dated between 2015 and 2016. Despite their breakup, the two have remained in each other’s lives, with Grande previously noting in a 2019 interview that Alvarez held no ill will toward the song’s original lyrics. As the Eternal Sunshine tour continues, with upcoming stops in Boston, fans are waiting to see if further updates to the track will clarify the nature of their current connection.