Ariana Grande's ex reacts as she changes Thank U Next lyrics

Ariana Grande still has a friend in Ricky Alvarez.

The global superstar's ex-boyfriend – with whom she has recently reconnected – was in the crowd for her Eternal Sunshine tour stop in Texas on Friday June 26, 2026 , and was seen shaking hands with a friend as Ariana changed the lyrics to reference their relationship.

The 33-year-old pop star was singing her 2018 hit "Thank U Next" which includes the lyrics: "Wrote some songs about Ricky / Now I listen and laugh."

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However, during her performance at the Moody Center in Austin, Ariana made a switch, singing instead: "Wrote some songs about Ricky / I know he's still got my back."

As the change was made, a concertgoer captured Ricky – who was in the VIP pit - laughing and acknowledging the moment with a friend.

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It's not the first time Ariana has changed the song; several days prior she sang: "Wrote some songs about Ricky / And they still kinda slap."

The nod to their former relationship comes after the pair were pictured getting lunch together earlier in the month as it was alleged Ariana and her boyfriend, Ethan Slater, had called time on their relationship.

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The Wicked co-stars dated for nearly three years after meeting on the set of the first movie adaptation in 2022. At the time, Ethan was married to childhood sweetheart Lilly Jay, and the pair had welcomed a son in August 2022.  Their romance was confirmed in July 2023, after the singer filed for divorce from her then-husband, Dalton Gomez.

Ethan and Ariana went Instagram official in November 2024.

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Ricky, also 33, is Ariana's former backup dancer and they dated between 2015 and 2016.

They kept their romance private, with Ariana telling Billboard months before they split that she was "very happy".  It is thought that conflicting schedules saw them unable to make the relationship work.

He is now a photographer and music video director, working with the likes of Usher and Becky G.

"Nothing but gratitude," Ricky shared on social media at the time of the song's release. "Thank you, next… (Those songs are fire tho… you're welcome)."

In response, Ariana joked: "HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAH IM SORRY U GOT THE WORST LINE. It was meant v lovingly."

The full lyrics to the first verse are: "Thought I'd end up with Sean, but he wasn't a match / Wrote some songs about Ricky, now I listen and laugh / Even almost got married, and for Pete, I'm so thankful / Wish I could say "thank you" to Malcolm, 'cause he was an angel."

Each line references a former romance: Big Sean, Ricky, Pete Davidson, and Mac Miller, who died from an overdose in September 2018.