Ariana Grande has told fans she is taking some time away after her tour after public scrutiny – but there’s one familiar face she is seeking support from as she has a break
Ariana is set to take a step back from public life after her Eternal Sunshine tour(Image: Getty Images)
As Ariana Grande announces plans to step away from public life, the singer has been leaning on a familiar face for support.
While she famously sang about her past relationships in her hit single Thank U, Next, the 33-year-old pop star remains on great terms with ex Ricky Alvarez, whom she recently started dating again. The announcement comes after Ariana revealed she is “taking a step back from visibility”, explaining that recent public appearances had sadly led to “endless, ongoing public scrutiny”.
Last month, a source told People that Ariana and Ricky were “taking things very slowly”, adding: “She’s not held ill will against him [since their split]. Ricky is dependable, trustworthy and very supportive. Ariana feels she can be herself around Ricky.”
While the singer hasn’t explicitly linked her hiatus to discussions surrounding her health or appearance, body image comments from the public have intensified in recent months. A representative for Ariana said: “Ariana will be taking a step back from visibility after she completes the Eternal Sunshine Tour.
“She looks forward to finishing the tour and ending it on a high note, both healthily and happily, and then taking a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances, which has led to endless, ongoing public scrutiny This tour has been a beautiful experience for her. She loves her fans and has loved every minute of this tour so much.”
Helping her navigate this transition is her former backup dancer and current boyfriend Ricky Alvarez, whom she dated from 2015 to 2016. In ‘Thank U, Next’, Ariana originally sang: “Wrote some songs about Ricky / Now I listen and laugh.”
Adding to the speculation around their rekindled romance, she recently tweaked the lyrics during a live performance to: “Wrote some songs about Ricky / I know he’s still got my back” – and in another performance teased “Wrote some songs about Ricky / And they still kinda slap.”
Sources confirm that Ricky joined Ariana and her family for the 4th of July holiday in Florida, and that he’s been a frequent presence on her current tour. A source told PEOPLE: “She’s having a great time on tour. She loves having close friends join her for parts of the tour. Ricky has always been a friend and confidant. She really trusts him. He has such great, positive energy, makes her laugh and she enjoys spending time with him.”
Another source added: “Ariana has always considered Ricky a friend. She’s not held ill will against him. Ricky is dependable, trustworthy and very supportive.
“Ariana feels she can be herself around Ricky. They have a similar, smart, dry sense of humour. They’re not jumping into anything serious right away, but Ari is happy to have him back in her life. Ricky has always been a friend and confidant. He has such great, positive energy, makes her laugh, and she enjoys spending time with him.”
The pair were also spotted grabbing lunch together on June 26, ahead of her show in Austin, Texas.
This rekindling following Ariana’s recent split from her Wicked co-star Ethan Slater after nearly three years together. Insiders note that she is “doing really well” post-breakup, adding: “Her relationship with Ethan is 100% over. She’s focused on her tour and spending time with the people who have always been there for her.”
Ariana and Ricky originally broke up amicably due to the pressures of her career. Following their split, Ariana dated Mac Miller, Pete Davidson, Dalton Gomez, and Ethan Slater, but maintained a friendly connection with Ricky throughout.
When ‘Thank U, Next’ was first released in 2018, he posted a lighthearted video listening to his shoutout, captioning it: “Nothing but gratitude…Thank you, next… (those songs are fire tho… you’re welcome).”
Ariana reshared it with a laugh, writing: “HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAH IM SORRY U GOT THE WORST LINE. It was meant v lovingly.”
Ariana’s decision to take a break follows the music video release for her single Petal, taken from her eighth studio album, which sparked renewed online speculation rearding her health and weight loss.
The star has previously spoken about the heavy emotional toll of public scrutiny. In a candid 2024 interview addressing the pressure to “to always look perfect”, she noted that she had been “a specimen in a petri dish since I was 16 or 17. I have heard it all. I have heard every form of what is wrong with me. And then you fix it and then it is wrong for different reasons.”
“It is hard to protect yourself from that noise. I think that it’s something that is uncomfortable no matter what scale you’re experiencing it on.” From what you are wearing, to your body, to your face, to your everything – there is a comfortability that people have commenting on that that I think is really dangerous. I think it is dangerous for all parties involved.”
In November, she reshared the interview on her social media, adding a simple caption: “As a loving reminder to all”.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: mirror.co.uk
