Ariana Grande kept a low profile as she and boyfriend Ricky Alvarez landed back in New York on Wednesday after the final show of her Eternal Sunshine world tour.
Just days earlier, the singer, 33, broke down on stage after her sold-out 10-date run at London’s O2 Arena, bidding her fans a tearful farewell amid her plans to step back from the spotlight.
And it looked like Ariana was already preparing to fly under the radar while wearing a black one face mask and a baseball cap as he walked hand-in-hand with Ricky, 35, through JFK airport.
The Side to Side hitmaker kept her look casual with a black sweater and jeansas she traded her platform heels for comfy black boots after recently suffering a foot injury.
Ricky, who also wore a baseball cap, brown polo sweater and navy blue Adidas sweatpants, stayed close to his girlfriend as he accompanied her through the airport.
The couple’s airport appearance comes after Ariana sparked wedding rumors when she hinted she was ready to settle down with her love.
Ariana Grande kept a low profile as she and boyfriend Ricky Alvarez landed back in New York on Wednesday after the final show of her Eternal Sunshine tour ahead of her career hiatus
Ariana, 33, prepared to fly under the radar as she wore a black face mask and baseball cap as she walked through JFK airport holding hands with Ricky, 35
Days earlier, the singer broke down on stage after her sold-out 10-date run at London’s O2 Arena, bidding her fans a tearful farewell amid her plans to step back from the spotlight.
The singer earlier this year rekindled her relationship with the former backup dancer, 35, who she previously dated from 2015 to 2016.
During her tour she constantly changed the lyrics of her song Thank U, Next, in which she referred to her ex-boyfriends.
Although she normally sings, “I wrote a few songs about Ricky, now I listen and laugh,” Grande has revised the line during her recent shows.
And on Tuesday she fueled marriage speculation when she changed it to: “I wrote a few songs about Ricky, I’m trying to make him my last.”
The Daily Mail has reached out to Ariana’s reps for comment.
Ariana’s critically acclaimed tour, promoted by Live Nation, sold more than 630,000 tickets for 41 sold-out shows, with an average of 15,000 fans attending each show.
Promoting her latest album Petal, the shows star kept her fans on their toes as she mixed up the setlist on several dates, with Ariana surprising her audience with first renditions of songs from the album including ‘freak’, ‘kiss me’ and ‘bad thing (bunny hop)’.
On Tuesday, the star is saying goodbye to show business, as she plans to take a step back from the spotlight for the time being.
On stage, Ariana tearfully said, “I just wanted to say, thank you so much. This has been an extraordinary experience. Thank you for 10 wonderful shows in London and for 41 incredible Eternal Sunshine tour shows.
“This has been one of the most beautiful extraordinary experiences of my life and I just wanted to express my gratitude without completely sobbing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. It has been so special.
The couple’s airport appearance comes after Ariana sparked wedding rumors when she hinted she was ready to settle down with her love. [Pictured together in 2016]
The emotional star is saying goodbye to show business and plans to take a step back from the spotlight for the time being
The hitmaker ditched her signature high heels for Uggs on the final night of her tour as she recovers from a minor injury (pictured earlier)
Ariana shared on Instagram on Monday that she is recovering from a “deep cut” after fans spotted her limping on stage last week
‘I will always cherish this experience. I have the best fans in the world and I always have.
‘I love your outfits, I love your faces, I love seeing you. Thank you for all your efforts and for continuing to make this so special. I have loved every minute with you all and I wanted to make sure I expressed how grateful I am. Thank you and I love you so much.”
Signing off in tears, she continued: “Thank you for being by my side all the way from Romantic Avenue to Hampstead.”
Ariana was overcome with emotion while singing One Last Time and asked fans to help her sing the song as she struggled to get her words out.
The hitmaker ditched her signature high heels for Uggs on the final night of her tour as she recovers from a minor injury.
Ariana shared on Instagram on Monday that she is recovering from a “deep cut” after fans saw her limping on stage last week.
She wrote, “My dear petals, I just wanted to let you know that for tonight’s show (and possibly tomorrow’s) I will need comfortable shoes as I am bandaged up underneath and recovering from a minor injury.
‘It’s not a sprain or anything muscular, just a deep cut! So if you see me tonight without my signature heels, or maybe even having a little trouble putting weight on that foot, that’s why!
‘But please don’t worry. On with the show and I’m on the mend. I can’t wait to perform for you tonight and tomorrow (even though I’m a few inches shorter than normal).”
Last month, Ariana clarified that her career break was “quietly planned a long time ago,” and that the break was coming “amid ongoing criticism.”
She recently sparked concern among fans with her Petal video, directed by Christian Breslauer, in which the Oscar-nominated actress looked alarmingly thin with her ribs visible on her chest.
She continued to insist that the decision was not made because “negativity ruined things for me.”
Ariana explained onstage at one of her shows, “Multiple things can be true at the same time. Yes, boundaries must be set. People may need a break sometimes.”
She added that her tour, which she kicked off in North America in June, “will remain the greatest experience of my professional and creative life.”
Ariana’s departure from the spotlight means she has decided to leave her leading role in the London production of Sunday In The Park With George at the Barbican Center in summer 2027.
