Ariana Madix

Ariana Madix
Born	Ariana Madix 6/24/1985
Birthplace	Melbourne, Florida, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Television host, reality television personality, actress, author, businesswoman
Known for	Vanderpump Rules, Love Island USA, Dancing with the Stars
Education	Flagler College
Website	https://www.arianamadix.com

Ariana Madix (born June 24, 1985) is an American television host, reality television personality, actress, author, and businesswoman. She first gained national recognition as a cast member and bartender on the Bravo reality television series Vanderpump Rules, which she appeared on from 2013 to 2024. In 2023, Madix became a central figure in one of the most widely covered reality television storylines in recent memory—dubbed "Scandoval" by media outlets—after the public revelation of her then-partner Tom Sandoval's affair with co-star Raquel Leviss. The aftermath of that event propelled Madix into a new phase of her career that included competing on season 32 of ABC's Dancing with the Stars, publishing a New York Times best-selling cocktail book, making her Broadway debut in the musical Chicago, and becoming the permanent host of Peacock's Love Island USA beginning in 2024. Raised in Melbourne, Florida, Madix studied at Flagler College before pursuing acting and entertainment in New York and later Los Angeles. Beyond television, she is a co-owner of the restaurant Something About Her, a sandwich shop she opened with fellow Vanderpump Rules cast member Katie Maloney. Madix has also been a vocal advocate for mental health awareness and skin cancer early detection, drawing on her own personal experiences with both issues.

Early Life

Ariana Madix was born on June 24, 1985, in Melbourne, Florida, a city on the state's Space Coast. She grew up in the Melbourne area and has spoken publicly about aspects of her childhood, including difficulties she faced growing up that later informed her openness about mental health on television.

Madix developed an interest in performing arts during her youth in Florida. Before gaining fame through reality television, she pursued acting and appeared in various small roles in film and television productions beginning in 2008. Her early career included work in independent projects and minor screen roles as she sought to establish herself in the entertainment industry.

Madix has discussed her experience with an eating disorder that predated and coincided with her early years on Vanderpump Rules, stating that she had "a full-blown eating disorder" when she first joined the show. Her willingness to speak publicly about these struggles would become a defining aspect of her public persona in later years.

Education

Madix attended Flagler College, a private liberal arts college located in St. Augustine, Florida. Her time at Flagler College contributed to her foundation in the arts before she moved on to pursue acting and entertainment professionally. Details regarding her specific field of study or graduation year have not been widely documented in published sources.

Career

Early Acting and Vanderpump Rules (2008–2022)

Madix's professional career in entertainment began around 2008 with small acting roles in film and television. She relocated to Los Angeles, where she worked as a bartender at SUR Restaurant, the West Hollywood establishment owned by Lisa Vanderpump that served as the primary setting for the Bravo reality series Vanderpump Rules.

Madix first appeared on Vanderpump Rules during its second season and subsequently became a full-time cast member. The series, a spin-off of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, followed the personal and professional lives of staff members at SUR and its associated restaurants. Over the course of multiple seasons, Madix became one of the show's central figures, known for her direct personality and willingness to address conflict candidly on camera.

During her years on the show, Madix also pursued entrepreneurial and creative ventures. She co-authored a cocktail book titled Fancy AF Cocktails with her then-partner Tom Sandoval, which was published with recipes and entertaining tips inspired by their bartending experience. She also launched beauty products, including a lip kit.

In addition, Madix launched a podcast titled Earth to Ariana, covering various lifestyle and cultural topics.

"Scandoval" and Breakthrough (2023)

In March 2023, Madix became the subject of intense public attention following revelations that her longtime partner Tom Sandoval had been engaged in a months-long affair with their Vanderpump Rules co-star Raquel Leviss. The story, which broke during the filming of the show's tenth season, quickly became a major media event and cultural phenomenon that was widely referred to as "Scandoval."

The scandal generated unprecedented levels of viewership and media coverage for Vanderpump Rules, drawing attention from mainstream news outlets well beyond the typical reality television audience. The New York Times published an explainer on the situation, reflecting the degree to which the story had permeated popular culture. The resulting tenth season of the show drew some of the series' highest ratings.

Following the public dissolution of her nine-year relationship with Sandoval, Madix received an outpouring of public sympathy and support. She leveraged this moment into a series of high-profile career opportunities that substantially expanded her public profile beyond the realm of reality television.

Dancing with the Stars (2023)

In the fall of 2023, Madix was cast as a contestant on season 32 of ABC's Dancing with the Stars. She was paired with professional dancer Pasha Pashkov. Madix advanced through multiple rounds of the competition and ultimately finished in third place, earning praise from judges and audiences for her performances throughout the season. Her appearance on the show further solidified her transition from reality television personality to a more mainstream entertainment figure.

Single AF Cocktails (2023)

On December 5, 2023, Madix released her solo cocktail book, Single AF Cocktails. The book, distinct from the earlier Fancy AF Cocktails she had co-authored with Sandoval, featured cocktail recipes and was positioned around themes of independence and self-empowerment. Single AF Cocktails became a New York Times best seller following its release.

Broadway Debut in Chicago (2024)

In January 2024, Madix made her Broadway debut in the long-running musical Chicago, taking on the role of Roxie Hart. The casting represented a significant expansion of her performing career into live theater. Madix joined a tradition of celebrity guest performers in the production, which has featured numerous notable names in the role of Roxie Hart since the show's 1996 revival.

Host of Love Island USA (2024–present)

In 2024, Madix was named the permanent host of Love Island USA, the American version of the British dating competition series, which airs on Peacock. The role marked her first major hosting position and a departure from the participant-driven format of her previous television work.

In March 2026, it was announced that the eighth season of Love Island USA, with Madix returning as host, would premiere on June 2, 2026, on Peacock. Her continued presence in the role indicated the show's confidence in Madix as the face of the franchise.

Business Ventures

Beyond her television and performing career, Madix is a co-owner of Something About Her, a sandwich shop she established with fellow Vanderpump Rules cast member Katie Maloney. The restaurant represents both women's entrepreneurial interests outside of television. As of March 2026, Maloney shared updates about the business, including its ongoing operations and potential future plans.

Personal Life

Madix was in a relationship with fellow Vanderpump Rules cast member Tom Sandoval from 2014 to 2023. During their relationship, the couple co-owned a home in Los Angeles and co-authored the cocktail book Fancy AF Cocktails. Their relationship ended in March 2023 following the public revelation of Sandoval's affair with co-star Raquel Leviss.

After their breakup, a protracted legal dispute arose over the couple's shared Los Angeles home, in which both parties continued to reside for a period following the split. In January 2026, Madix and Sandoval reached a settlement regarding the property. In February 2026, Madix was reported to have gathered her final belongings from the property, and Sandoval subsequently announced plans to put the home on the market.

Since late 2023, Madix has been in a relationship with Daniel Wai.

Madix has been open about her experiences with mental health challenges, including depression and an eating disorder she dealt with during her early years on Vanderpump Rules. She has spoken about her reasons for being candid about mental health publicly, stating that she hopes her openness will help others facing similar issues.

Madix has also been an advocate for skin cancer awareness and early detection after experiencing a skin cancer scare herself. She has discussed her experience of initially being told by doctors that she was fine before ultimately receiving a concerning diagnosis, and she has encouraged others to be persistent in seeking medical attention for skin abnormalities.

Recognition

Madix and the cast of Vanderpump Rules won the award for Best Reality Series at the 2022 MTV Movie & TV Awards: Unscripted ceremony.

Her solo cocktail book, Single AF Cocktails, achieved New York Times best-seller status following its December 2023 release, representing a notable achievement in the publishing sphere for a reality television personality.

Madix's third-place finish on season 32 of Dancing with the Stars in 2023 brought her recognition from a broad television audience beyond the Bravo network viewership. Her casting as Roxie Hart in Chicago on Broadway in January 2024 represented recognition within the theater community, placing her among a notable lineage of performers to take on the iconic role.

Her selection as the permanent host of Love Island USA on Peacock in 2024 further underscored her rising profile within the broader entertainment industry. As of 2026, she continues to appear in mainstream media as both a television personality and a public figure, including appearances on red carpets and in interviews for outlets such as Access Hollywood.

Legacy

Ariana Madix's trajectory from reality television cast member to multi-platform entertainer and businesswoman reflects a broader shift in the entertainment industry regarding the career possibilities available to reality television personalities. Her experience during the "Scandoval" storyline in 2023, which was covered by outlets including The New York Times, demonstrated the capacity of reality television narratives to penetrate mainstream cultural discourse in the digital media age.

Madix's subsequent career moves—competing on Dancing with the Stars, publishing a best-selling book, performing on Broadway, and hosting a major streaming competition series—represented an unusually rapid and diverse expansion of professional endeavors following a reality television storyline. Her ability to convert public attention into sustained career opportunities has been noted by entertainment media as an example of effective personal brand management in the contemporary media landscape.

Her advocacy for mental health awareness and skin cancer early detection has extended her public impact beyond entertainment. By discussing her eating disorder, depression, and skin cancer scare on public platforms, Madix has used her visibility to raise awareness about health issues that affect many people.

As a businesswoman, Madix's co-ownership of Something About Her with Katie Maloney represents her involvement in the restaurant industry, an area in which many reality television personalities from the Vanderpump Rules universe have sought to establish ventures. The sandwich shop's continued operation as of 2026 indicates an enduring entrepreneurial presence beyond the screen.