Ariana Grande has been spotted hanging out with ex Ricky Alvarez, just weeks after news of her split from Ethan Slater emerged.
In photos circulating via social media, the “Thank U, Next” songstress was pictured at an Austin, Texas, restaurant Thursday, smiling while chatting it up with her former boyfriend.
However, a source told TMZ Grande — who is currently in the city for her “Eternal Sunshine” tour — was simply hanging out with friends for her 33rd birthday and there “is nothing romantic between Ariana and Ricky this time around.”
A spy also told the outlet the “Wicked” star was seen snapping pics with fans, too.
A rep for Grande did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment on Friday.
This isn’t the first time the “No Tears Left to Cry” songstress has been spotted hanging out with Alvarez, also 33, over the years.
They were also seen spending time together in New York City back in 2019 — but after rumors they were dating again emerged, she quickly shot down the speculation, saying in a since-deleted tweet, “Spoiler for the rest of this year / probably my life: [I’m dating] no one.”
Grande and Alvarez were briefly romantically linked after the backup dancer joined the Grammy winner for her Honeymoon Tour in 2015.
They’ve since remained friends, with Grande referencing him in “Thank U, Next” in 2019, singing, “Wrote some songs about Ricky / Now I listen and laugh.”
Grande’s outing with her former backup dancer comes on the heels of her split from “Wicked” co-star Ethan Slater, 34, earlier this year.
“Ariana and Ethan broke up several months ago but they’ve remained friends since then and have nothing but respect and admiration for one another,” a source told Page Six on June 8.
“This wasn’t a decision they took lightly but realized they were better off friends than in a committed relationship,” they added.
The source also noted that Grande was “feeling really happy and focused on the next chapter with her ‘Eternal Sunshine’ tour and the upcoming release of her album ‘Petal.’”
Slater and Grande met on the set of “Wicked” in 2022 — and at the time, Slater was still married to now ex-wife Lilly Jay, with whom he shares 3-year-old son Ezra, while Grande was still married to now ex-husband Dalton Gomez.
A TV insider hinted to Page Six in December the former couple may not have been on solid ground when Slater showed up for Grande’s “Saturday Night Live” hosting gig that month.
“People definitely were surprised that Ethan turned up,” a spy told us at the time.
“No-one thought they were together… they were on off, on off, on off.”
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