All the Ways Ariana Madix Keeps Thriving Amid Vanderpump Rules’ Cast Shakeup

A year and a half after the Vanderpump Rules Scandoval launched her into a new echelon of fame, Ariana Madix stays booked and busy. A VPR mainstay since Season 2, Ariana expanded her reality TV horizons. In between Pump Rules seasons, Ariana was a finalist on Dancing with the Stars and hosted the summer’s hottest show, Season 6 of Love Island USA. Both of these gigs were also bookended by two very successful runs in the Broadway show Chicago.

After months of uncertainty amidst the extended hiatus, we now know that Ariana’s time on Vanderpump Rules is over. It was recently announced that Season 12 will feature an entirely new cast. But even without a reality TV show on the air, Ariana’s success hasn’t wavered. Vanderpump Rules as we know it may be over, but Ariana is here to stay.

Ariana Madix scores her latest acting gig amidst Vanderpump Rules exit

Shortly after Scandoval made national headlines, Ariana booked a Lifetime movie role. After her acclaimed run in Chicago, the acting opportunities keep coming. For her latest acting gig, Ariana will guest star as herself on the ABC series Will Trent. The show stars Ramón Rodríguezas the titular FBI Agent, and is based on a popular book series by Karin Slaughter.

Ariana will appear in an episode in the upcoming Season 3. According to the episode description, Ariana holds an intervention for a friend in Atlanta, where the series takes place. She hires Detective Michael Wormwood, the character played by Jake McLaughlin, as security for the intervention. As for what happens next, fans will have to wait and see when the episode airs!

Ariana’s casting made headlines in major trade publications like Variety and Deadline. That’s great publicity for her and for the show. And it’s one of many signs that she’s officially made it.

Ariana Madix will appear at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Despite the VPR news, Ariana has a lot to be thankful for this holiday season! On November 28, Ariana will appear in the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. Her name was announced alongside The Roots, Chloe Bailey, T Pain, and The Temptations. As a fellow musical theater girl, I assume Ariana is extra excited to be included with Broadway legends Lea Salonga and Idina Menzel!

While we don’t know what Ariana’s part in the parade will be yet, it’s still a very exciting gig. And in a city that’s become a second home. Ariana’s divided her time between LA and the Big Apple a lot since Scandoval. NYC is also where her boyfriend Daniel Wai lives.

Between these appearances on NBC, a guest starring role on ABC, and her recent guest host spot on CBS’ The Talk, Ariana is taking over network TV!

Ariana launches her second DSW collection

Once the brand partnership opportunities started rolling in for Ariana, it never really slowed down. Ariana also got a lot of attention for her fashion sense. Especially after her red hot revenge dress at the Season 10 Vanderpump Rules reunion. When she hosted Love Island USA, viewers salivated over Ariana’s amazing outfits. And not just because she always entered the villa with a sassy slow-mo walk. Somehow, her looks got better and better with every episode!

Once minted as an influencer fashionista, Ariana began partnerships with beauty and fashion brands. In the spring, she launched a collection with DSW. Now, as the weather changes and we need new shoe options, Ariana’s come out with a second collection. As any influencer will tell you, multiple collections with major retailers are not guaranteed. This means that people are buying what Ariana is selling.

Ariana can finally move on from her and Tom Sandoval’s house

Very soon after she and Tom Sandoval broke up, Ariana publicly said she wanted to sell their house. However, her ex was extremely stubborn about it from the get-go. In the immediate aftermath of Scandoval, he refused to leave, not even to give Ariana a little space. Rachel Leviss gave him the key to her apartment, but he never used it.

Some co-stars insisted Ariana couldn’t be that broken-hearted because she stayed in the same house as her ex. But it came off as a nightmarish living arrangement in Season 11. The exes used Sandoval’s assistant Ann Maddox as a go-between. Ariana saw Sandoval and Rachel’s love letters. At one point, she accused him of trying to kill her dog. He tried to buy Ariana out, but the offer was comically low. He even floated the idea of Tom Schwartz moving in as a roommate.

Over the past year, Ariana spent considerable time in NYC, bought a new place, and took legal action to push a sale. In October, Sandoval finally agreed to sell the house. Surely, this is a huge weight off of Ariana’s shoulders, and another in her lineup of wins. Perhaps this also means Lala Kent can finally let go of her obsession with their living situation. Plus, the VPR cast shakeup means Ariana won’t be forced to film with her ex anymore!

Something About Her continued success

For a while, it seemed like Something About Her might be doomed. Ariana and Katie Maloney’s sandwich shop faced a lot of hurdles. The opening was pushed back many, many times. But on May 22, the Nancy Meyers-inspired restaurant finally opened its doors. Fans showed up in droves, with lines around the block, and hour-long wait times. Even Emily in Paris star Lily Collins couldn’t get a sandwich!

That’s not to say there aren’t some setbacks. An outdoor patio was blocked by budget and zoning issues. And there’s a pending lawsuit with the former chef. But with almost $2 million in merch sales, the shop is definitely a hit.

Reportedly, the VPR OGs will get a send-off special when the new cast takes over. If that happens, it would make sense for Something About Her to be featured. And even before the cast shakeup, some fans suggested a SAH spin-off. No matter what, the sandwich shop is one of many things that Ariana can take away from her time on Vanderpump Rules.

Vanderpump Rules is currently streaming on Peacock.