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Not surprisingly, Ariana Madix wasn't thrilled with the prospect of going back to Vanderpump Rules following Scandoval.
In fact, months before the network announced they were completely reinventing the cast for season 12, the Love Island USA anchor made her decision to depart the popular Bravo reality show after 2024's dramatic season 11 finale public for the first time.
"I doubt I ever intended to return to Vanderpump Rules," Madix stated in an interview with People that was released on March 13. "That’s the first time I’ve ever said that publicly, but I was never going to."
Adding, "It just didn’t feel right," the 39-year-old said. "Not in an impolite or professional manner, 'We don't need this,’ not in a, ‘I’m too good for this,' but it just didn’t feel right."
particularly after Tom Sandoval, her ex-boyfriend of ten years, ruined their lives with his months-long liaison with Rachel "Raquel" Leviss, their former co-star.
"If I did go back, I wouldn’t have been able to do the job that would make a good show," Madix said. "The story didn't make sense, so it just wasn't going to make sense."
Unexpectedly, Madix never felt completely at ease participating in the turmoil that surrounded Lisa Vanderpump's boisterous gang of former workers.
She said, "I was never really made for reality TV." "I don't believe I've ever possessed the qualities of a "good reality star." That, I believe, is what has, in part, made me a successful reality star. However, I believe that a lot of times I got in my head.”
Madix went on, "I've also discovered that perhaps that's not the ideal environment for me, and it's not one that truly lets me be myself." "And you put yourself in situations where you're saying or doing things that you don't really support or believe in when you're not being yourself."
Now that a few years have gone by, how does the Chicago star view Sandoval's cheating incident, which has subsequently gained international notoriety as Scandoval?
"I don't," she said plainly. "I also detest that name. I have never said that word before.
In addition, Madix has had a lot of success hosting Peacock's Love Island USA after departing the show.
She told the site, "I feel like my true self at almost 40." "I have such wonderful family and friends around me. Being in a position where I can do what I love and earn a living doing it makes me feel great. I consider myself really fortunate to have reached that stage after many, many years in this industry.
