As of August 29, 2026, Ariana Grande boyfriend is Ricky Álvarez, a photographer and director who previously worked as a professional dancer. Grande and Álvarez first dated in 2015–2016 before reconnecting publicly nearly a decade later.
The clearest evidence came on August 12, when Grande included photographs with Álvarez in an Instagram post and tagged him. People and other established entertainment outlets described the post as making their rekindled relationship Instagram official.
The update matters because several older search results still identify Wicked actor Ethan Slater as Grande’s current partner. Grande and Slater were reported to have ended their relationship earlier in 2026.
Who Is Ricky Álvarez?
Ricky Álvarez is a dancer-turned-photographer and director from San Diego, California. According to his professional portfolio, he moved away from full-time dancing to work behind the camera after developing an interest in photography while touring.
His portfolio includes commercial photography and directing, giving him a creative identity beyond his relationship with Grande. His official professional biography describes several world tours as part of the experience that shaped his transition into visual work.
Grande met Álvarez through her touring team. He worked as one of her backup dancers during the Honeymoon Tour, and their professional connection eventually developed into a relationship.
They began dating in 2015 and were together for approximately a year. Grande briefly acknowledged the relationship during that period, but the couple generally avoided providing detailed public commentary about their private life.
A Relationship That Came Full Circle
Grande and Álvarez separated in 2016. Neither gave a detailed, authoritative explanation for the breakup, so articles should avoid repeating theories about why their first relationship ended.
Their connection did not completely disappear from public view. Álvarez was mentioned in Grande’s 2018 single “thank u, next,” alongside other publicly known former partners. Reporting over the following years indicated that he and Grande remained friendly.
The first noticeable signs of a reunion emerged during Grande’s 2026 Eternal Sunshine Tour. Álvarez attended her birthday concert in Austin, Texas, in June, and Grande adjusted the familiar Ricky reference in “thank u, next” during performances. He was later reported to have spent time with Grande and her family in Florida.
By July, People and TMZ were reporting that the former couple had resumed dating but were approaching the relationship gradually. Those reports relied partly on unnamed sources, meaning the private timing and details of the reunion should not be treated as direct statements from Grande.
Grande’s August Instagram post provided stronger public evidence. It featured Álvarez in affectionate photographs and tagged his account, which reputable outlets interpreted as confirmation that they had rekindled their romance.
Later in August, Grande and Álvarez were photographed together in London during the singer’s tour residency. Vogue reported that the pair walked through Soho together, adding another current public appearance to the timeline.
What Happened With Ethan Slater?
Before reuniting with Álvarez, Grande was in a relationship with actor and Broadway performer Ethan Slater. They met while working on the two-part film adaptation of Wicked, in which Grande played Glinda and Slater portrayed Boq.
Their relationship became publicly known in 2023. They attended industry events together and spoke supportively about each other’s work, although they generally avoided making their relationship a major part of the Wicked publicity campaign.
In June 2026, People reported that Grande and Slater had quietly separated several months earlier. The publication cited a source who described the breakup as amicable and said they remained supportive of one another.
Neither Grande nor Slater issued a detailed joint statement explaining the breakup. For that reason, its reported timing can be included, but claims about what caused it should be excluded unless either person addresses the matter directly.
Is Ariana Grande Married?
Ariana Grande is not publicly known to be married or engaged in 2026.
She was previously married to luxury real estate agent Dalton Gomez. The couple married in May 2021 but later separated. Their divorce was finalized on March 19, 2024, according to court-based reporting from the Associated Press.
Gomez is therefore Grande’s former husband, while Slater is a former boyfriend and Álvarez is her current publicly known partner. Making these distinctions clearly prevents the confusion found in many older dating-history pages.
There is no reliable public confirmation that Grande and Álvarez are engaged or planning to marry. Their Instagram photographs establish a renewed personal relationship, but they do not provide evidence for claims about an engagement, wedding or other private plans.
Why Some Search Results Still Name Ethan Slater
The keyword “Ariana Grande boyfriend” produces an unusually mixed set of results. Some pages have not been updated since Grande was dating Slater, while others focus on her complete dating history instead of answering who she is with now.
There is also a second search intent: “boyfriend” is the title of Grande’s 2019 collaboration with Social House. Song pages, music videos and lyric discussions may therefore appear alongside relationship coverage.
For readers searching for her present relationship status, the answer should be stated with a verification date: as of August 29, 2026, current public evidence identifies Ricky Álvarez as Ariana Grande’s boyfriend.
The exact private date when they resumed dating has not been established through a direct statement. What is publicly documented is their first relationship in 2015–2016, their continued friendly connection and a reunion that became increasingly visible during summer 2026.
FAQs
Who is Ariana Grande boyfriend in 2026?
Ariana Grande current publicly known boyfriend is photographer and director Ricky Álvarez. Their renewed relationship became public during summer 2026.
Are Ariana Grande and Ricky Álvarez back together?
Yes. Grande included Álvarez in an August 2026 Instagram post after weeks of reunion reports and public appearances.
How did Ariana Grande meet Ricky Álvarez?
They met through Grande’s touring work. Álvarez was one of her backup dancers during the Honeymoon Tour, and they began dating in 2015.
Is Ariana Grande still dating Ethan Slater?
No. Their breakup was reported in June 2026 after they had reportedly been separated privately for several months.
Is Ariana Grande currently married?
No current marriage is publicly known. Her divorce from Dalton Gomez was finalized in March 2024.
Is Ricky Álvarez mentioned in “thank u, next”?
Yes. Grande mentions Ricky among her former partners in the 2018 song. She later changed the familiar reference during 2026 tour performances as reunion speculation grew.
Also Read: Explore Your Favorite Music Artist Profiles: AP Dhillon Excuses
