Ariana Grandes Final Thank U, Next Lyric Change Signals Long-Term Commitment to Ricky Alvarez

Ariana Grande, 33, concluded her 2026 Eternal Sunshine Tour with a lyric alteration that many observers read as a declaration of a lasting relationship with former backup dancer Ricky Alvarez. The change occurred during the tour’s final performance on September 1, 2026, at the O2 Arena in London.

The Eternal Sunshine Tour, which began on June 6, 2026, at Oakland Arena and comprised 41 shows, has been notable for Grande’s habit of updating the opening verse of her 2018 single “thank u, next.” The lyric changes have been documented at several stops, each version referencing Alvarez in a different way.

On June 24, 2026, at a concert in Austin, Texas, Grande sang, “Wrote some songs about Ricky / Now they kinda slap.” The following night, June 26, she performed the same show in Austin again, this time with the line, “Wrote some songs about Ricky, I know he still got my back.” At the July 13 show in New York City, the lyric read, “Wrote some songs about Ricky, we always find our way back.” These iterations were reported by Billboard, the Mirror, and other outlets covering the tour.

The final alteration, delivered during the London show, was “Wrote some songs about Ricky, I’m tryna make him my last.” The phrasing has been interpreted by commentators as an overt hint that Grande intends to spend the rest of her life with Alvarez. The lyric change was captured on video and circulated on social media, where fans and journalists noted the shift from a casual reference to a more definitive statement.

Alvarez, who has worked as a dancer and photographer for Grande since 2015, re‑connected with the singer in June 2026 after a decade apart. The couple’s renewed romance has been confirmed by reports from reputable entertainment news outlets, and the pair recently revealed matching tattoos that read “I do love you.” The tattoos were unveiled during a performance in London and were reported by Vogue and other fashion‑focused publications.

Grande’s personal life has seen several high‑profile relationships in recent years. She was married to real‑estate agent Dalton Gomez from May 2021 until their divorce was finalized in March 2024. She dated “Wicked” co‑star Ethan Slater from summer 2023 until June 2026, when the relationship ended. The timeline of her relationships has been covered by Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and other industry sources.

The lyric changes have sparked discussion about how Grande uses her music to comment on her personal life. According to Billboard, the updates were part of a broader trend of artists tailoring live performances to reflect current events or relationships. The final lyric, in particular, has been highlighted by music‑industry analysts as a clear signal of a long‑term commitment.

While Grande has not issued an official statement regarding the meaning of the lyric, the pattern of changes and the public display of matching tattoos suggest a deliberate effort to share her relationship status with fans. No further announcements have been made about future projects or potential marriage plans.

At present, the only confirmed developments are the conclusion of the Eternal Sunshine Tour, the public acknowledgment of Grande’s relationship with Alvarez, and the couple’s matching tattoos. No additional information has been released about upcoming releases or personal milestones.

The entertainment community will likely continue to monitor Grande’s public appearances and social‑media activity for further clues about her personal life. Until an official statement is issued, the lyric change remains the most concrete evidence of her intent to spend the rest of her life with Ricky Alvarez.