Ariana Grande has made a surprise return to the public eye, stepping onto the red carpet with boyfriend Ricky Alvarez at the New York premiere of Focker-In-Law on Wednesday.
The 33-year-old singer and actress attended the event at the Beacon Theatre alongside Alvarez, 35, marking the couple’s first red carpet appearance together.
Their appearance comes months after Grande announced plans to step away from public-facing activities following the conclusion of her Eternal Sunshine tour.
Grande and Alvarez Share Affectionate Moments on the Red Carpet
The couple appeared close throughout the premiere, sharing affectionate moments as they posed for photographs.
Grande was seen gently rubbing Alvarez’s stomach before the pair clasped hands and leaned in for a kiss.
They also exchanged tender looks while standing together in front of photographers.
The appearance marked a significant public moment for the couple, who originally dated between 2015 and 2016 after meeting while Alvarez worked as one of Grande’s backup dancers.
They rekindled their romance in June following Grande’s separation from her Wicked co-star Ethan Slater, 34.
Singer Stuns in Off-White Gown for Film Premiere
Grande opted for an elegant off-white gown featuring a fitted bodice and flowing skirt for the occasion.
She completed her appearance with pastel pink eyeshadow, glossy lips and diamond earrings.
Her hair was styled in a sleek, low ponytail.
The Oscar-nominated actress’s butterfly tattoo on her arm appeared to have been covered with makeup, as she has done during several previous red carpet appearances.
Alvarez, meanwhile, kept his outfit understated, wearing a black blazer over a white button-up shirt paired with blue jeans.
Appearance Follows Announcement of Career Hiatus
Grande’s return to the red carpet comes after her representatives announced in August that she would be taking a break from public appearances.
The decision followed the conclusion of her Eternal Sunshine tour in September, with the singer also stepping away from her planned West End production of Sunday in the Park with George.
Speaking to People in August, her spokesperson said: “Ariana will be taking a step back from visibility after she completes the Eternal Sunshine Tour.”
The representative added that Grande was looking forward to completing the tour successfully before taking a break from public-facing work and appearances, which had brought “endless, ongoing public scrutiny”.
Grande subsequently explained that the decision to take a hiatus had been quietly planned long before the announcement.
She also rejected suggestions that negative public attention had forced her to step away from her career.
Addressing fans during one of her performances, she said: “Multiple things can be true at the same time. Yes, boundaries, they need to be set. Human beings can need a break sometimes.”
Grande Previously Addressed Public Concern About Her Weight
The singer’s decision to take a break came amid continued public discussion about her appearance and weight.
She attracted attention after releasing her Petal music video in July, with some fans expressing concern about her noticeably slim frame.
Grande has addressed speculation about her weight on several occasions, maintaining that she is healthy despite ongoing comments about her appearance.
In 2023, she also responded to fans who described her appearance between 2016 and 2018 as her healthiest, explaining that the period they were referring to was actually the opposite.
Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller Lead Star-Studded Premiere
Grande was joined at Wednesday’s premiere by several of her Focker-In-Law co-stars, including Robert De Niro, 83, and Ben Stiller, 60.
De Niro attended with his wife, Tiffany Chen, marking his first public appearance since the death of his former partner, model Toukie Smith.
Smith died at a New York City hospital on November 4, aged 74, following what her family described as a long and courageous battle with multiple sclerosis.
A statement from her and De Niro’s twins, Airyn and Julian Henry De Niro, 31, confirmed her death.
De Niro and Smith were in an on-and-off relationship between 1988 and 1996.
Stiller, who reprises his role as Gaylord ‘Greg’ Focker, arrived with his wife, Christine Taylor, 55, and their son, Quinlin Dempsey Stiller, 21.
Taylor wore a brown lace gown with matching heels for the premiere.
Stiller was also photographed alongside Owen Wilson, 57, who returns as Kevin Rawley in the film.
Wilson wore a light tan suit with a blue shirt and posed with young co-stars Ben Lewis Doherty and Ora Abercrombie.
Other stars attending the event included Blythe Danner, 83, Rosanna Arquette, 67, Mike Myers and Jon Cryer.
Danner, who plays De Niro’s wife in the film, opted for a brown sweater and matching skirt.
She is also the mother of actress and Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow.
Grande Plays Olivia Jones in Fourth Meet the Parents Film
Grande recently revealed that she was “so honored” to have been cast in Focker-In-Law, saying she fell in love with the script and the opportunity to work alongside De Niro and Stiller.
She plays Olivia Jones, a former FBI negotiator who is romantically involved with Henry, portrayed by Skyler Gisondo.
Henry is the son of Greg and Pam Focker, played by Stiller and Teri Polo.
In the film, Olivia meets her boyfriend’s family for the first time.
While family patriarch Jack Byrnes, played by De Niro, warms to her relatively quickly, Greg remains suspicious of his son’s new partner.
The storyline follows the established family dynamics of the franchise, which began with the original Meet the Parents film in 2000.
Focker-In-Law Continues Popular Comedy Franchise
The original film featured De Niro as Jack Byrnes, a suspicious former CIA veteran, and Stiller as his nervous prospective son-in-law, Gaylord ‘Greg’ Focker.
Blythe Danner played Jack’s wife, Dina, while Teri Polo portrayed their daughter, Pam.
The film became a box office success and led to two sequels, Meet the Fockers in 2004 and Little Fockers in 2010.
The subsequent films introduced Barbra Streisand and Dustin Hoffman as Greg’s parents, Roz and Bernie Focker.
Wilson also appeared in the first three instalments as Kevin Rawley, Pam’s former boyfriend who remains interested in her.
Focker-In-Law is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on November 25.
