Ariana Grande Changes ‘Thank U, Next’ Lyric for Ricky Álvarez at Tour Finale

Ariana Grande gave fans another major hint about her relationship with Ricky Álvarez during the final show of her Eternal Sunshine Tour.

At the London finale on September 1, Grande changed a familiar line in her 2018 hit “Thank You, Next”. Instead of singing the song’s original reference to Álvarez, she performed a new version that appeared to look toward the future.

Grande sang, “Wrote some songs about Ricky / I’m trying to make him my last.”

The unexpected change drew loud cheers from the audience. Her dancers also appeared to celebrate the moment onstage.

The lyric change is the latest in a series of references Grande has made to Álvarez during the tour.

Ariana Grande’s Ricky Álvarez Lyric Has Changed Several Times

The latest lyric did not come completely out of nowhere.

Grande has repeatedly altered the Ricky Álvarez portion of “Thank U, Next” during her 2026 tour.

At an Austin performance in June, she changed the familiar lyric to “And they still really slap.” She later made another change, singing, “I know he still got my back.”

Then, during her July 13 concert, Grande took the reference in an even more romantic direction.

She sang, “We always find our way back.”

That progression has attracted considerable attention because Álvarez and Grande have a history that goes back years.

Ariana Grande and Ricky Alvarez Rekindled Their Romance

Grande and Álvarez originally dated between 2015 and 2016.

Álvarez was a backup dancer on Grande’s Honeymoon Tour, and their relationship became public during that period. Grande also spoke positively about the relationship in a 2016 interview with Billboard.

Their original romance eventually ended. However, the pair began appearing together again in 2026.

They were spotted having lunch with a group in Austin in June. Grande then began making increasingly personal references to Álvarez during her concerts.

In July, she appeared to make the renewed relationship more public through Instagram, further fuelling speculation that the former couple had officially reunited.

The Relationship Became More Public in 2026

For much of their renewed connection, Grande appeared to keep things relatively private.

That changed gradually.

Their public appearances, Grande’s changing concert lyrics and her social media activity all gave fans more reasons to believe that the two were once again romantically involved.

The renewed relationship also came after Grande’s split from Wicked co-star Ethan Slater.

People reported in June that Grande and Slater had ended their relationship after nearly three years together. The breakup was described as amicable, with the former couple remaining supportive of one another.

Why the “Thank U, Next” Reference Matters

“Thank U, Next” has always been closely connected to Grande’s dating history.

Released in 2018, the song famously references several of her former relationships, including Álvarez, Pete Davidson and Mac Miller.

The original Ricky line looked back at the relationship with humour. Grande’s latest version changes that perspective completely.

Rather than presenting Ricky as simply part of her romantic past, the new lyric suggests that she hopes he could become her final partner.

That does not, by itself, confirm an engagement or marriage. Grande has not publicly announced either.

Still, the wording is notable because it represents one of the clearest romantic references she has made to Álvarez during the tour.

Grande Ends the Eternal Sunshine Tour in London

The lyric change happened during the final show of Grande’s Eternal Sunshine Tour at London’s O2 Arena.

The tour covered 41 dates across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Grande became emotional while saying goodbye to fans at the final performance and thanked them for their support.

The ending also marked the beginning of a quieter period for the singer.

Grande had previously indicated that she planned to step back from public visibility after completing the tour. Her decision comes after an intense period of touring, acting, music releases and constant public attention.

What’s Next for Ariana Grande and Ricky Alvarez?

For now, fans will have to wait for Grande and Álvarez themselves to define what comes next.

The latest lyric certainly suggests that Grande is optimistic about their relationship. However, it would be premature to interpret the performance as an official announcement of an engagement or wedding.

What is clear is that Álvarez has gone from being a name Grande once mentioned in “Thank U, Next” to becoming a prominent part of the song’s evolving story.

And after repeatedly changing the lyric throughout the Eternal Sunshine Tour, Grande chose perhaps her most meaningful version for the final night.