Everyone is Talking About Ariana Madix | Vanity Fair

Article by Chris Murphy

Reality television turned household name Ariana Madix, of Vanderpump Rules, realized that dreams often require time to materialize. In the wake of her public breakup with VPR co-star Tom Sandoval over a scandal dubbed Scandoval, Madix transformed personal heartbreak into professional triumph. This transformation included endorsement deals, a distinguished stint on Dancing With the Stars, landing a significant role in a Lifetime movie and skyrocketing to stardom.

Madix is now set to tread the path formerly trodden by personalities such as Pamela Anderson and Erika Jayne, as she equips herself to portray the most intimidating woman on Broadway, Roxie Hart from the musical, Chicago. In discussing her upcoming Broadway debut, Madix acknowledged her initial hesitations believing her dream too lofty to attain.

Before her rise to prominence as a beacon of strength for wronged women, Madix's aspiration was Broadway. Raised in Florida, she pursued her passion by completing degrees in theater and broadcast communications before moving to New York City. Like many actors, her path to success was not instantaneous.

Madix, now 38, expressed her lifelong ambition to pursue acting and the continued struggle to secure consistent work until her breakout with Vanderpump which took between 10 to 20 years. The woman who commenced her career on Vanderpump Rules as a nameless backup dancer during Scheana Shay’s song “Good as Gold,” now finds her Broadway role as Roxie Hart both surprising and a culmination of her early ambitions. Despite a path to the stage steeped in heartbreak, Madix remains content and wouldn't alter her past if given the chance

In discussing her Broadway debut (set for Monday, January 29), the upcoming 11th season of Vanderpump Rules (premiering Tuesday, January 30), and her current living situation with her ex-boyfriend, Madix spoke to Vanity Fair.

Vanity Fair: This must be a unique time for you. Please share your theater journey with our readers.

Ariana Madix: Following college, I shifted to New York to focus on acting and theater, and I started gaining more attention in front of the camera – that was when Katie Holmes was featured in Chicago on Broadway. Over time, I began to understand the interplay between business and entertainment. It became clear that a combination of qualities was necessary to succeed, not just talent in singing, acting, or dancing. Simultaneously, it was necessary to ensure I was making financially viable decisions. I had to learn this lesson while attending countless auditions after college. Eventually, I realized I needed to strengthen my credentials to be considered a serious contender and took a different route, driven by this realization. This unexpected route turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it ultimately steered me back here.

It appears that talent alone is insufficient in realizing dreams, business acumen also plays a crucial role.

When I was offered a spot on Dancing With the Stars, much of it was because of my popularity. However, it was my responsibility to demonstrate my deservingness of the opportunity. My contribution to Dancing earned me recognition, and I intend to maintain it during my Broadway run.

Interestingly, you’ve mentioned "notoriety", but you haven’t committed any crimes, have you?

Funnily enough, You’re somewhat like Roxie Hart. This year you've experienced greater fame and a man's reputation was tarnished in the process. Do you think your personal journey has influenced your interpretation of Roxie Hart in any way?

Oh yeah. There are elements of Roxie that I really connect with—some of her dialogue, specifically; saying things like, “If life is a game, I’ll play it the best. I won’t give up. I won’t give in.” She literally is never down and out. And if she is, she’s not there for long. That is something that I’ve related to because this past year, this isn’t the first time that I’ve been through shit. I am 38 years old. This isn’t the first time that I’ve been knocked down. This isn’t the first time I’ve struggled. This isn’t the first time that I’ve had to try to lift myself up. I think that that’s something with Roxie—that she can’t be counted out.

Ariana Madix with Chicago's associate costume designer, Donald Sanders.

What were some of your favorite roles you played growing up?

I was actually in a children’s musical called Honk that is super iconic. That was actually one of my favorites. I love that show.

I love Honk. What part were you?

Pretty sure it was the chicken, but I don’t remember.

There’s been a lot of amazing celebrity Roxies, like Pamela Anderson, and now a lot of Bravo Roxies, like Real Housewives of Beverly Hills stars Lisa Rinna, Erika Jayne. Have you talked to any of the previous famous Roxies? The Bravo ones?

No, I haven’t talked to any of them. I’ve spoken with the current Roxie, who is Charlotte d’Amboise, who’s played this part so well over so many years. She is incredible. If I could just bring a tenth of what she brings, I would be happy. And it’s funny, too, you mentioned Bravo, and I think it’s cool. There’s been some people who seem to think that it’s easy or that Roxie doesn’t require chops, but that is so not the case.

How have rehearsals been going?

I love rehearsal. I almost feel like, Oh, we actually have to put on the show? Because I really enjoy the rehearsal process. “Me and My Baby” definitely feels like one of those moments where you’re rubbing your tummy and patting your head at the same time. So that can get a little scary, thinking about doing that. But I feel like any time I’m having a panic moment, everyone on the production here says that I’m in a great place and that it’s going to be great. So I have to just take a deep breath and trust that they know what they’re talking about, because they do. 

Speaking of casts, how has your Vanderpump Rules cast been? Have they all been supportive? Are they coming? I could see some jealousy: Scheana Shay famously loves to sing.

No, they’re all really supportive. A lot of them are coming. Scheana and Lala [Kent] are coming opening night. I know that a lot of them are going to be coming during the run, so it’s been awesome. Everyone’s really excited.

Season 11 of Vanderpump Rules premieres on Tuesday, one day after your Broadway debut. How are you feeling about it?

It’s going to be interesting because it is very much a time capsule. It really is going back in time, and it really is me in a very different place than I’m at right now. There’s good days and there’s bad days. There’s ups and there’s downs. There’s definitely going to be those moments—the dancing, having-fun feeling like, I got this. And then there’s going to be moments where maybe I don’t got this. But that’s the journey I was on, and I feel like it’s just my job to let people in on that. So you’re going to see all of it.

You’re still sharing a house with your recent ex, Tom Sandoval. Has it been nice to be in New York for a little bit and out of the house?

Yeah. Hopefully my mail and my packages aren’t getting thrown in the trash because I still own the house. That’s against the law, right?

That is definitely against the law. You cannot mess with people’s mail.

Okay, good to know. I’ve been out of the house since September. But obviously, there’s a loss. I’m trying to have the house sold because there’s been no movement, and I need to be able to get my investment so that I can move on with my life. It’s money. I need my money. I need it.