Ariana Grande surprised fans during her June 24 stop at Austin’s Moody Center by giving one of her most famous lyrics a playful update. While performing “thank u, next,” the singer tweaked a line about ex-boyfriend Ricky Alvarez, earning a loud reaction from the crowd and quickly sparking discussion across social media.
In the original 2018 version of the song, Grande sings, “Wrote some songs about Ricky / Now I listen and laugh.” During the first of her three scheduled Austin concerts, however, fans noticed she changed the second line to: “Wrote some songs about Ricky / Now they still kinda slap.”
The moment also served as a reminder of just how significant “thank u, next” remains in Grande’s catalog. Released unexpectedly on November 3, 2018, the single became a defining pop culture event. Written in the aftermath of several highly publicized relationships, including her engagement to Pete Davidson, the song transformed personal heartbreak into a message of growth and gratitude.
Commercially, the track was a phenomenon. “thank u, next” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Grande’s first chart-topper and spending seven weeks atop the chart. The song broke multiple streaming records, while its Hannah Lux Davis-directed music video generated more than 55 million views in its first 24 hours and became one of the most-discussed music videos of the decade.
The lyric update arrives as Grande enters another major career chapter. Anticipation continues to build for her upcoming seventh studio album, Petal, scheduled for release on July 31. Throughout June, she has gradually revealed track titles during dates on her Eternal Sunshine Tour, creating a rolling album campaign that has kept fans closely following every show.
Momentum surrounding the project is already substantial. Lead single “hate that i made you love me” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 earlier this year, becoming Grande’s 10th career chart-topper and her eighth song to open directly at the summit.
Meanwhile, the Eternal Sunshine Tour marks Grande’s first headlining tour since 2019. The trek launched on June 6 in Oakland and features a 24-song setlist spanning multiple eras of her career, blending fan favorites with newer material as she prepares for the arrival of Petal.
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