their rekindled romance

Ariana Grande’s Ricky Alvarez looks highly protective on London date [PHOTOS]

Their relaxed outing comes shortly after Grande made their reconciliation Instagram official

The pop superstar has since rekindled her romance with former boyfriend and backing dancer Ricky, whom she previously dated from 2015 to 2016.

AUGUST 24, 2026 3:55 PM EDTAUG 24, 2026, 3:55 PM EDT

Ariana Grande and Ricky Alvarez are making their rekindled romance increasingly difficult to miss. The pop superstar stepped out with her former boyfriend in London for a low-key shopping date, with Alvarez appearing highly attentive and protective as the pair navigated the busy capital together.

Grande, 33, and Alvarez, 35, stayed close throughout the outing, frequently linking arms and walking side by side as they carried shopping bags through the streets.

Ariana Grande and her new beau Ricky Alvarez confirm their rekindled romance with a romantic shopping spree in London

In one particularly affectionate moment, Grande wrapped her hand around Alvarez's arm as he appeared to guide her across the road. Another photograph showed the singer holding onto him while the pair made their way through a crowded area.

Ariana Grande and Ricky Alvarez enjoy romantic London shopping date

Grande and Alvarez made the most of some downtime during the singer's extended stay in London. The couple headed to Present & Correct to grab coffees before visiting IDEA Books in Soho, where they browsed its selection of art and books.

The outing quickly turned into a shopping spree, with both emerging carrying bags as they continued their stroll around the city.

Their body language suggested they were comfortable being affectionate in public. Grande repeatedly held onto Alvarez's arm, while the former backing dancer kept her close as they walked.

At one point, Alvarez extended an arm in front of Grande as they crossed the street, an apparently protective gesture amid the surrounding pedestrians and traffic.

Ariana, currently in the UK for her 10-night residency at London'ss O2 Arena, was spotted with Ricky heading to Present & Correct to grab coffees before visiting IDEA Books in Soho, where they browsed rare art and books.

Grande also appeared relaxed during the outing, smiling as she walked alongside her beau and remaining close to him throughout the excursion.

The pair coordinated their casual looks without going completely matchy-matchy.

Grande wrapped up in an oversized cream knit cardigan with straight-leg blue jeans, white heeled shoes and a neutral headband. She added oversized tortoiseshell sunglasses for part of the outing and flashed bright burgundy socks underneath her shoes.

Ariana Grande and Ricky Alvarez in London

Alvarez opted for a dark indigo denim jacket, loose beige trousers, white shoes and a navy knitted Stüssy beanie.

Ariana Grande and Ricky Alvarez have rekindled their romance

The London photographs offer another glimpse at a relationship that has moved back into the spotlight remarkably quickly.

Grande and Alvarez originally dated from 2015 until 2016 after meeting while he worked as a backing dancer on her Honeymoon Tour. They remained connected after their breakup, and Alvarez famously received a name-check in Grande's 2018 breakup anthem "thank u, next."

Singer Ariana Grande and boyfriend dancer Ricky Alvarez

A decade after their original romance, the two have found their way back to each other. Reconciliation reports emerged earlier this summer, and their relationship became increasingly public as Alvarez was spotted supporting Grande during her Eternal Sunshine Tour.

In July, Grande even changed the familiar Ricky lyric in "thank u, next" during a concert, singing "We always find our way back" instead.

On August 12, Grande shared an Instagram carousel containing two photographs with Alvarez. One showed the couple cuddled together for a mirror picture, with Alvarez's arm around the singer as she held his hand.

Many fans defended the singer, arguing that speculation about someone's health based solely on appearance is inappropriate — Ariana Grande and Ricky Alvarez look loved-up in London as their rekindled romance heats up following her recent split from Wicked co-star Ethan Slater.

The social media appearance effectively took their reunion public after weeks of sightings and speculation.

Ariana Grande reunited with Ricky after Ethan Slater split

Grande's renewed romance follows the end of her nearly three-year relationship with her Wicked co-star Ethan Slater. News of Grande and Slater's breakup emerged in June, although the separation itself reportedly happened considerably earlier.

People reported that the former couple had already been quietly separated for several months when their breakup became public. A source described the decision as amicable and said Grande and Slater remained friends and supportive of each other.

There had been speculation surrounding them for months

Grande and Slater became romantically linked in 2023 after working together on Wicked, in which Grande played Glinda opposite Slater's Boq.