The Evolution of Ariana Madix and Scheana Shay's Friendship on Pump Rules

The relationship between Scheana Shay and Ariana Madix has been a strong and documented friendship on the popular reality TV show Vanderpump Rules for years.

Madix became part of the show’s main cast in 2015 following a few appearances in the first two seasons. Shay’s close bond with the Florida-born reality star contrasted her struggling relationships with other coworkers at SUR, Stassi Schroeder, Kristen Doute, and Katie Maloney, which were much more tumultuous in nature. Nonetheless, Shay and Madix have had their fair share of ups and downs throughout the years.

During an episode of season 4 of Pump Rules which aired in January 2016, Shay and Maloney confronted Madix about tensions between her and Doute, who had dated Tom Sandoval prior to Madix. Shay implied that Madix thought of herself as laid-back and cool, but in reality, she held onto grudges which were supposed to be Doute’s forte.

The “Good As Gold” singer explained that both she and Maloney felt that Madix had been excessively negative and bitchy about the group being on good terms with Doute. Shay then revealed that Madix’s mother had reached out to her to inquire about her daughter’s emotional state, and whether she was unhappily dating Sandoval, who was evidently a bad boyfriend.

During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen in January 2017, Shay expressed that she and Madix were better than ever after the fallout. The California native added that the audience could expect their friendship to heal on season 5 of Pump Rules. “You’ll see Ariana and I kind of reconnect and you’ll see more of that friendship grow back stronger as it was in the prior seasons,” she said.

In March 2023, news broke that Sandoval had cheated on Madix with Raquel Leviss, a costar from the show. Amid the scandal, the couple of nine years split up. Despite being close with Leviss before the controversy, Shay and most of the Pump Rules cast pledged their loyalty to Madix following Sandoval’s infidelity.

“We rally,” the “Shake That” musician captioned Instagram footage of her and Madix at a Tove Lo concert only hours after the breakup and affair were confirmed by Us Weekly.

Take a look at Madix and Shay’s friendship throughout the years below: