Ariana Madix’s Other Jobs: Acting, ‘Love Island’ And More Work Outside of Vanderpump Rules’
Ariana Madix is best known as a reality TV star after appearing on Bravo's Vanderpump Rules since the show's inception in 2013.
Is Ariana Madix an Entrepreneur?
She and best friend Katie Maloney are opening up a sandwich shop called Something About Her in West Hollywood. Their journey to find the right commercial space, decor, menu and more was featured in season 10 of Vanderpump Rules. However, there have been rumblings that the eatery shut down before it had even opened its doors to the public.
What Are Ariana Madix's Jobs?
Aside from her work on reality TV, Ariana is also an actress and former bartender. Ariana got her big acting break in the 2012's straight to video movie The Dead Want Women, landing the starring role of Danni opposite actor Eric Roberts. She appeared on TV shows such as Anger Management, Dads, Single Siblings and Awesomeness TV between 2013 and 2014. Ariana's most prominent role was on the sketch comedy online series College Humor, where she appeared in 10 episodes from 2009 through 2015 in various roles, including "hot girl," "Alexis" and other characters.
Ariana has still landed acting gigs despite her work on VPR. In 2018 she appeared on two episodes of the Roku comedy series Waking Up With Strangers and played herself in an episode of Comedy Central's The Other Two in 2019. Her last IMDB.com acting credit was in 2021 on the Amazon Prime show Paradise City.
However, Ariana scored a huge new acting opportunity when it was announced on March 22, 2023, that she had been cast in the upcoming Lifetime movie Buying Back My Daughter, costarring alongside Meagan Good. The film is based on real life events about a teen who was the victim of human trafficking.
Following boyfriend of nine years Tom Sandoval's cheating scandal with fellow VPR costar Raquel Leviss, Ariana has landed plenty of new work. She has partnered with BIC and did a commercial for their Easy Rinse razors that debuted in May 2023, and aired during the Vanderpump Rules season 10 reunion part one on May 24.
Ariana also scored an ad for Uber One alongside cast mates Lala Kent and Scheana Shay where they sang the latter's 2013 single "Good as Gold," while extolling the benefits of the ride share's membership program. That commercial aired prominently during the dramatic VPR season 10 finale on May 17. Ariana has entered into paid partnerships with several companies to do Instagram posts, including one for Purina's Tidy Cats Lightweight Litter.
The Florida native got one of her most high profile post-Scandoval gigs to date when she announced on Good Morning America's July 7 telecast, "I will be joining the cast of Dancing with The Stars this season,” while going live from her sandwich shop. She was joined by judge Derek Hough, who added, "That’s right! Say goodbye to the drama and hello to the dance floor." Ariana was the first celebrity contestant announced for the season 32 of DWTS and blew away the judges and viewers week-by-week. After coming in third place on December 4, Ariana revealed she is making her Broadway debut.
“I have some news. As of January 29, I will be playing Roxie Hart on Broadway in Chicago,” she said during a December 6 appearance on Live With Kelly and Mark. “It is just the biggest dream come true. I can’t believe this is real life. I’m going to cry.”
The VPR star once again landed in the spotlight when appearing on Love Island USA on July 25. Appearing in a gorgeous mermaid-inspired dress, Ariana guided the islanders and stood in front of them while appearing to host one of the show's infamous challenges. She was such a hit that she returned to the franchise for Love Island Games season 1 and hosted both a recoupling ceremony and “Madix Mountain” challenge.
It came as no surprise when March 2024 reports revealed that Ariana would replace Sarah Hyland as the host of Love Island U.S.A. Neither the network nor Ariana addressed the claims, but Sarah confirmed the news was true.
“I’m disappointed the news had to break this way, but it is in fact true that I will not be returning to the island this summer. I have committed to an exciting project that will be announced soon that conflicts directly with the shooting dates for Love Island USA,” the actress wrote via Instagram Stories at the time. “While I’m sad I can’t return, I hope to see lots of love this summer on Peacock this upcoming season.”
How Long Did Ariana Madix Work as a Bartender?
Like many aspiring actresses in Hollywood, Ariana got a server job, working at Lisa Vanderpump's now-defunct Beverly Hills restaurant, Villa Blanca, tending bar. She soon began working as a bartender at Lisa's newest hotspot, SUR, which led to Ariana getting cast on Vanderpump Rules as a recurring guest star in season 1. She was upped to series regular in season 2 and has been one of the stars of the show ever since.
Ariana's relationship with Tom quickly became a main plotline, after he split form longtime girlfriend Kristen Doute. The pair revealed they were officially a couple during the season 2 reunion episode, and Tom and Ariana went Instagram official later that night. The pair split in March 2023 after Ariana discovered Tom was having an affair with VPR cast mate Raquel.
How Many Books Has Ariana Madix Authored?
Tom and Ariana released their cocktail book, Fancy AF Cocktails: Drink Recipes from a Couple of Professional Drinkers, in 2019. After their split, Ariana finally released her solo mixology book like the first one was intended to be. In 2023, Ariana released Single AF Cocktails: Drinks for Bad B*tches.
What Other Jobs Has Ariana Madix Held?
The Florida native tried her hand in the beauty industry. She released a holiday lip kit called "Ariana Nudist Lip Set" with Frankie Rose Cosmetics in November 2017.
