Ariana Grande’s Austin Concert Highlights Ex Ricky Alvarez’s Presence and Lyric Change

Ariana Grande performed at the Moody Centre in Austin, Texas, on June 26‑27, 2026 as part of her Eternal Sunshine tour. Her former boyfriend and ex‑backup dancer Ricky Alvarez attended the show in the VIP pit, a sighting captured and shared widely on TikTok and YouTube.

During the performance Grande altered the lyric of her 2018 hit “Thank U, Next,” singing, “Wrote some songs about Ricky / I know he’s still got my back.” The change, along with Alvarez’s friendly handshake with the singer, quickly sparked online speculation that the pair might be rekindling a romance. Neither Grande nor Alvarez have confirmed any relationship status, and they have publicly maintained that they are simply friends.

The incident illustrates how brief moments on a high‑profile pop tour can generate extensive fan discussion and media coverage, especially when they involve personal history and on‑stage references.