Ariana Grande and Ricky Alvarez Surprise NYC Marathon Runner With Encouragement

Pop star Ariana Grande and her boyfriend, Ricky Alvarez, recently surprised a participant in the New York City Marathon by sharing a message of encouragement from the sidelines. The couple was spotted cheering on runners when social media influencer Ella Schweiger approached them with a request to write a supportive note for a complete stranger competing in the 26.2-mile race.

Grande eagerly accepted the pen, writing "You did it!" alongside heart symbols and signing the note "Ari + Ricky." The recipient, a runner named Ellie, was stunned to learn who had authored the message, later revealing that she had listened to Grande's music during the grueling race and credited one of her songs with helping her through a difficult stretch near mile 24. The interaction was captured on video as part of Schweiger's "Ella's Envelope" community project.

The marathon sighting is the latest public appearance for Grande and Alvarez, who rekindled their romance earlier this year nearly a decade after their initial relationship. The two first connected in 2015 when Alvarez worked as a backup dancer for the singer before they amicably parted ways in 2016. They reconnected this summer during the pop star's Eternal Sunshine Tour.

Relationship rumors began circulating in late June when Grande altered the lyrics to her hit song "Thank U, Next" during a concert in Austin, Texas. Throughout the summer tour, she continued to update the line originally referencing Alvarez, shifting the lyrics from her past lyrics to phrases indicating that they had found their way back to each other and that she was trying to make him her last.

The couple made their renewed relationship official on social media in August. Since then, they have shared glimpses of their romance online, including an Instagram carousel posted in early November featuring intimate photos from a trip to New York City. The images included the singer embracing Alvarez and kissing his forehead at a restaurant.

Sources close to the couple have noted that Alvarez has maintained a close bond with Grande's family over the years and consistently supported her throughout her recent tour. The singer has also been taking a break from the spotlight following the conclusion of her tour dates, enjoying time with Alvarez as they continue their renewed journey together.