Ariana Grande and Ricky Alvarez make their red carpet debut as a couple

It's official, red-carpet official. Ariana Grande and Ricky Alvarez posed together at the premiere of "Focker-in-Law" in New York City on Wednesday evening, and it was their first time on a red carpet as a couple.

What happened? 💕

The dancer wrapped his arms around the "Wicked" star for the photographers. In other shots, the two faced each other, held hands, and Grande rested a hand lightly on her boyfriend's chest.

Grande, 33, wore an off-white and gray tartan ballgown. She styled her hair in her signature sleek ponytail, now with a new shorter cut, and went for soft pink makeup and simple earrings.

Alvarez kept it relaxed: jeans folded at the cuff, a black blazer, brown shoes and a classic belt.

Why is everyone talking about it?

Because Grande had said she would step back. In August, her representative announced she would pause public-facing work after her "Eternal Sunshine" tour ended on Sept. 1, to make more time for her personal life. A source told us she would spend that time with family, friends and Ricky.

She also pulled out of a planned West End production of "Sundays in the Park with George" with Jonathan Bailey, which was due to open in the spring.

So this premiere, for her new comedy, is a rare public outing. And she brought Alvarez along.

How did they get here?

Grande and Alvarez dated briefly in 2015, then reunited earlier this year. This followed her split from "Wicked" co-star Ethan Slater after about three years together. Sources said the two stayed friends.

Since going Instagram official over the summer, the couple have been spotted with matching "love" tattoos and sharing passionate kisses. In September, Grande tweaked a line in "thank u, next" to sing, "Wrote some songs about Ricky / I'm tryna make him my last."

A source said back then that she is "in an amazing place" and "really happy." The red carpet photos from New York suggest that hasn't changed.