her love story

Ariana Grande sparks Ricky Alvarez marriage rumors: ‘I’m tryna make him my last’


The unexpected declaration immediately drew cheers from the London audience


© AFP via Getty Images
Shirley GomezSenior Writer
SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 12:33 PM EDT

Ariana Grande just gave fans a major reason to wonder whether Ricky Alvarez could be the last man in her love story. The 33-year-old singer sparked fresh marriage speculation during the final concert of her Eternal Sunshine Tour at London’s O2 Arena on September 1, 2026, after making a surprise change to the lyrics of her 2018 hit “Thank U, Next.”

Grande has been rewriting the famous line about Alvarez throughout the tour, but her final version was easily the most suggestive yet. Instead of the original lyric about looking back and laughing at the songs she wrote about her former boyfriend, Grande sang, “I’m tryna make him my last.”

The unexpected declaration immediately drew cheers from the London audience© Getty Images for The Met Museum/
The unexpected declaration immediately drew cheers from the London audience

The unexpected declaration immediately drew cheers from the London audience, while Grande’s backup dancers joined in the excited reaction. And yes, fans quickly started asking the obvious question: Is Ariana Grande thinking about marrying Ricky Alvarez?

For now, there is no confirmation that Grande and Alvarez are engaged, married, or actively planning a wedding. The lyric could simply be Grande having fun with a song that has taken on a completely different meaning since she reunited with her ex.

Grande’s backup dancers joined in the excited reaction© Getty Images for The Met Museum/
Grande’s backup dancers joined in the excited reaction

Still, the timing and wording have given fans plenty to discuss.

Why Ariana Grande’s Ricky Alvarez Lyric Change Is Getting Attention

“Thank U, Next” famously looks back at several of Grande’s previous relationships, including her romance with Alvarez. Grande and Alvarez originally dated from 2015 to 2016, when he was one of her dancers. Years later, she name-checked him in the breakup anthem.


Ariana Grande and Ricky Alvarez in London


© Splash News/The Grosby Group
Ariana Grande and her beau Ricky Alvarez confirm their rekindled romance

Now that they have found their way back to each other, Grande has repeatedly updated his portion of the song during the Eternal Sunshine Tour.

At a June show in Austin, she jokingly changed the sentiment to say the songs she wrote about Ricky still “kinda slap.” At another Austin concert, with Alvarez reportedly watching from the VIP area, she sang that she knew he still had her back.

US singer Ariana Grande© AFP via Getty Images
US singer Ariana Grande

Then came an even bigger hint. During her July 13 concert at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, Grande sang, “We always find our way back.”

By the final night of the tour, however, Grande had moved from singing about finding their way back to seemingly suggesting she wants Alvarez to be her final romantic partner. That is quite the full-circle moment for a man who once had one of the most memorable ex-boyfriend references in “Thank U, Next.”

Are Ariana Grande and Ricky Alvarez Getting Married?

Not so fast. Grande’s “make him my last” lyric is certainly enough to fuel marriage rumors, but it is not an engagement announcement. Neither Grande nor Alvarez has publicly announced plans to marry, and current reports do not establish that the couple is engaged.

The couple has, however, become increasingly public. Reports that Grande and Alvarez were spending time together emerged during the summer, with Alvarez joining the singer during parts of her tour.

Ariana Grande and Ricky Alvarez dancing together in 2015© FilmMagic
Ariana Grande and Ricky Alvarez dancing together in 2015

A source previously described Alvarez as a longtime friend and confidant whom Grande trusts, adding, “He has such great, positive energy, makes her laugh.” By mid-July, reports said they were officially dating again but taking the reconciliation slowly.

One source told People at the time, “Ari is happy to have him back in her life.” Grande then made the relationship Instagram official on August 12, sharing photos featuring Alvarez.

Ariana Grande Gets Emotional at Final Eternal Sunshine Tour Show

The romantic lyric was not the only emotional moment during Grande’s final concert.

The London performance marked the end of the singer’s 41-show Eternal Sunshine Tour, including 10 shows in the British capital.

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Addressing the crowd during the finale, Grande called the tour “one of the most beautiful, extraordinary experiences of my life.” She also thanked fans for staying by her side throughout her career.

The emotional ending made her final Ricky Alvarez lyric change feel even more deliberate. After spending months tweaking the line as their relationship evolved, Grande chose the last performance of the entire tour to sing about wanting to make Alvarez her “last.”