Ariana and Ricky's date, Messi's new world record, A24's AI partnership

Ariana Grande and ex-boyfriend Ricky Alvarez spotted together

Ariana Grande and Ricky Alvarez are once again fueling fan speculation after the former couple were spotted spending time together in Texas.

The pop star, 33, was seen having lunch with Alvarez ahead of her Eternal Sunshine Tour stop in Austin on Friday, June 26. A source confirmed to PEOPLE that the two have recently been spending time together, though Grande’s representative declined to comment on the outing.

The sighting comes shortly after Grande’s reported split from Wicked costar Ethan Slater. PEOPLE previously confirmed that Grande and Slater ended their relationship earlier in 2026 after dating for several years.

Grande and Alvarez, both 33, were previously linked from 2015 until their breakup in July 2016. At the time, Grande described herself as happy in the relationship, telling Billboard, “I'm a very happy girl. I have a healthy life right now.”

Despite ending their romance, the two have remained close friends over the years. Alvarez even reacted playfully when Grande mentioned him in her 2018 hit “Thank U, Next,” joking about the lyric, “Wrote some songs about Ricky, now I listen and laugh.”

The longtime friends also recently caught attention when Grande changed the lyric during live performances, singing “Wrote some songs about Ricky, I know he’s still got my back,” further exciting fans who have followed their history.

While their recent reunion has sparked romance rumors, Grande previously clarified their relationship, telling fans in 2018, “We’re friends everyone take a big ol breather.”

Lionel Messi sets new record in World Cup history

Lionel Messi continues to rewrite football history, proving that age has not slowed down one of the greatest players the sport has ever seen. At 39, the Argentina captain remains at the center of his national team’s World Cup campaign, delivering another historic milestone on the biggest stage.

Through his first three appearances at the 2026 World Cup, Messi has already scored six goals, putting him at the top of the tournament’s scoring chart. His latest achievement came when he became the first player ever to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches, extending a streak that began during Argentina’s knockout run at the 2022 tournament in Qatar and continued into their 2026 group-stage campaign.

The record previously belonged to legendary names such as Jairzinho and Just Fontaine, who each scored in six straight World Cup matches. Messi’s feat also moved him ahead of longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo, whose best World Cup scoring run stretched across three consecutive matches between the 2014 and 2018 editions.

With Ronaldo unlikely to have another opportunity to match the mark, Messi’s record stands as another defining chapter in his international career. As Argentina prepares to face Cape Verde in the Round of 32, Messi will have another chance to extend his scoring streak while pushing for another deep World Cup run.

Courteney Cox parts ways with Snow Patrol’s Johnny McDaid

Courteney Cox and Johnny McDaid have officially gone their separate ways after more than 10 years as a couple.

The Friends actress and the Snow Patrol musician have ended their long-running relationship, PEOPLE confirmed Saturday. The former couple was last publicly seen together in September 2025 while attending the US Open in New York City.

Cox and McDaid first sparked romance rumors in late 2013 before making their relationship red carpet official the following year. They became engaged in 2014, but later called off the engagement in 2015. Despite the split, the pair reunited in 2016 and continued their relationship without becoming engaged again.

Cox previously opened up about their unconventional journey, explaining in 2019 that they were no longer engaged but were still together. “He's not my fiancé. We were engaged to be married, but now we're just together,” she said at the time.

The actress also reflected on their breakup during a 2024 podcast appearance, describing the moment as a turning point in their relationship. She said the separation was painful but ultimately helped them understand each other better.

“We broke up in therapy,” Cox shared, adding that the experience was difficult but life-changing. She later said she was grateful McDaid had the courage to step away when they needed time apart.

The two first met through mutual friends, including musician Ed Sheeran, who introduced McDaid to Cox’s circle in Los Angeles.

A24 justifies AI partnership amidst backlash

A24 is addressing criticism surrounding its new collaboration with Google AI’s DeepMind, insisting that the partnership is focused on giving filmmakers more control over emerging technology rather than replacing creative work.

The independent entertainment company recently entered a research partnership with DeepMind involving a reported $75 million investment, a move that sparked concern among some cinephiles who fear artificial intelligence could disrupt the filmmaking industry.

A24 spokesperson Sophia Shin clarified that the collaboration is not an endorsement of every AI project currently available. She explained that the company does not “necessarily love” all generative AI creations released so far, emphasizing that the agreement is centered on research and development.

Shin told Wired that A24 is working directly with DeepMind researchers to explore how AI tools could evolve alongside artists. “We’re working side-by-side with DeepMind’s researchers to learn, iterate, and build, having an active hand in shaping new tools and workflows,” she said.

The company also stressed that its goal is to ensure creators have a say in how these technologies are developed. “This partnership exists because we want to dictate what tools get built for artists, and so they have a voice in shaping them rather than having tools handed to them,” Shin added.

ICYMI:

• Harry Styles’ recent collapse during a show was reportedly not caused by the European heatwave, according to TMZ, but instead resulted from a choking scare. The incident sparked concern among fans after footage of the moment circulated online, though the new report suggests the situation was linked to a brief medical scare rather than the extreme temperatures affecting parts of Europe. 

• Love Island UK Casa Amor contestant Gabriel has reportedly been removed from the show after ITV learned about his connection to a past stabbing incident. According to reports, documents state that Gabriel’s friend, who was later convicted, stabbed two people on New Year’s Eve following an altercation involving Gabriel and the victims. Gabriel was not charged with any offense, but ITV decided to remove him from the program after reviewing the circumstances surrounding the incident.

— Bea Bertuldo

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