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Ariana Madix was never going back to Vanderpump Rules—and that decision was made long before Bravo even announced the reboot of the show. When the network revealed they were revamping the cast for season 12, Madix was completely at peace with it. She had already made up her mind that her time on the show had come to an end, and the reboot didn’t change that. In an exclusive interview with People published on March 13, Madix opened up about why she knew she was done with the show, months before the official news broke.
“I don’t think I was ever going to go back to Vanderpump Rules,” Ariana Madix confessed. “That’s the first time I’ve ever said that publicly, but I was never going to.”
But it wasn’t about bad blood or a dramatic exit. According to Madix, it was a feeling she couldn’t shake. “It just didn’t feel right,” she continued. “Not in any sort of rude way, not in a professional, ‘We don’t need this,’ not in a, ‘I’m too good for this,’ but it just didn’t feel right.”
The decision came after a tumultuous period in her personal life, following the infamous “Scandoval” – the cheating scandal involving her ex-boyfriend Tom Sandoval and their former costar Rachel “Raquel” Leviss.
Ariana Madix reflected on the impact the scandal had on her view of the show: “If I did go back, I wouldn’t have been able to do the job that would make a good show,” she said. “And so it just wasn’t going to make sense, the story didn’t make sense.”
Interestingly, Madix shared that she never quite felt at home in the world of reality television, despite the fact that she became one of the most recognized faces of the show. “I was never really made for reality TV,” she admitted. “I don’t think I’ve ever been what makes ‘a good reality star.’ I think in some ways that’s what has made me a good reality star.”
However, her time in the limelight wasn’t without its challenges. “I’ve also learned that maybe that’s not the best setting for me, and it’s not a setting that really allows me to be myself,” she explained. “And when you’re not being yourself, you get yourself into situations where you’re saying or doing things that you don’t really back or believe in.”
Despite the drama that surrounded her on the show, Madix has found success in other areas. Since stepping away from Vanderpump Rules, she’s taken on hosting duties for Peacock’s Love Island USA – and she’s loving it. “I feel at almost 40 like my true self,” she shared. “I’m surrounded by such amazing friends and family. It feels really good to be in a position where I’m able to do what I love and make a living doing it.”
For Madix, it’s been a long road to get to this point, but she’s finally where she feels she belongs. “Being in this business for many, many years, it’s taken a long time to get to that point, and I feel really lucky.”
As for Scandoval? Madix isn’t looking back. When asked about the scandal, she simply stated, “I don’t. I hate that name too. That word has never come out of my mouth.”
Ariana Madix may be done with Vanderpump Rules, but she’s found a new path where she’s flourishing – and fans couldn’t be happier for her.
