How Ariana Madix Is Healing Her Broken Heart Post-Scandoval

As the "Vanderpump Rules" Scandoval drama took the world by storm in 2023, it was Ariana Madix that was facing the ultimate betrayal from both her longtime significant other, Tom Sandoval, and her very close friend, Raquel Leviss. The reality star was first spotted on the hit Bravo series as a guest star on Season 1, and later transitioned to a recurring player in Season 2 when she struck up a flirtation with fellow SUR bartender Sandoval. During the Season 2 reunion Madix and Sandoval ignited a scandal of their own when they came clean about their relationship, which happened to overlap with Scandoval's relationship with co-star Kristen Doute. By Season 3, Madix was promoted to main cast member and her relationship with Sandoval has taken center stage ever since. 

Season 10 chronicles the demise of Madix and Sandoval's nearly ten year relationship, as it's revealed that the latter has been sneaking around with Leviss for months behind Madix's back. Despite their duplicity, Madix has held her head high since the Scandoval broke, and we're taking a look at all the ways she's been healing her heart ever since.

When news of Scandoval originally broke in early March 2023, Ariana Madix opted to remove herself from social media and deleted her Instagram and Twitter accounts in the wake of the scandal. Ironically, despite Madix no longer being on the platform, her ex Tom Sandoval chose to post his public apology to her on Instagram on March 7. Raquel Leviss, who had been one of Madix's closest friends prior to diving into a relationship with Sandoval, followed suit with an Instagram apology on March 8, even though Madix was still absent from the platform. 

By March 9, Madix had returned to Instagram — but with some major changes. Though she originally refrained from posting, she spoke volumes by unfollowing Tom Sandoval, Raquel Leviss, and Tom Schwartz. A little less than a week later, the former SUR bartender issued her own statement on Instagram, her first comment following all of the drama, with a bold post. Alongside a photo of the star beaming in a gorgeous green and pink dress, Madix began, "i want to express my most sincere gratitude for the outpouring of love and support i have received from friends, family, and people i've never even met in the last two weeks. when i have felt like i couldn't even stand, you all have given me the strength to continue and seen me through my darkest hours. to say i have been devastated and broken is an understatement." She closed her lengthy and heartfelt statement with an empowering final line, writing, "what doesn't kill me better run."

Less than a month after finding about her "Vanderpump Rules" co-star Tom Scandoval's affair, Ariana Madix had already landed a major new gig. In late March, it was revealed that she had been cast as Karen in the upcoming Lifetime film "Buying Back My Daughter." Madix stars opposite Meagan Good in the film, which is based on a true story involving a mother attempting to save her daughter from sex trafficking. Her character Karen is a police officer who will help investigate the case. 

The Lifetime film doesn't yet have a release date as of this writing, but it won't mark the first time Madix has flexed her acting muscles. The reality star has appeared on an episode of series like FX's "Anger Management," an episode of HBO Max's "The Other Two," and an episode of Amazon Prime's "Paradise City." In 2021, she also appeared in Yung Gravy's music video for his song "Oops!"

With all eyes on Ariana Madix's newly reinstated Instagram, it was time for the blonde beauty to rake in the endorsement deals. And after making her first public statement on the platform, Madix got back to business and posted quite a few sponsored posts. Her first paid endorsement post-Scandoval came in May for Bellesa, a sex toy company. Madix posted a photo with a vibrator alongside a caption that read, "Sometimes you just gotta change up your vibe" in a since-deleted Instagram post that announced a giveaway for the product. In the wake of the posting, TMZ reported that the company received thousands of sign ups.

Aside from the sex toy post, Madix also landed a sponsored post for luxury department store Bloomingdales in April. She also made a post promoting the energy drink Celsius while enjoying herself at the Coachella Music Festival in Indio, California, that same month. In May, she took to Instagram to share a sponsored post for another energy drink, Joyburst. 

While Ariana Madix has stood faithfully by her partner Tom Sandoval's side as he launched the bar TomTom, and more recently, Schwartz and Sandy's, it's now her time to open up a shop. She's teamed up with co-star Katie Maloney to launch a sandwich shop in West Hollywood, California, called Something About Her. The "Vanderpump Rules" duo showed off their new space on a Season 10 episode — prior to the Scandoval erupting — while Maloney exclaimed, "We're gonna have a sandwich empire... and it all starts now!"

Fast forward post Madix and Sandoval's breakup, the ladies launched Something About Her merch on International Women's Day March 8, providing the perfect place for diehard Madix fans to show their support. Everything on the site cost less than $50, allowing fans to rep the eagerly anticipated sandwich shop before it even opens its doors — which will be sometime later in 2023, as of this writing.

Don't get mad — get money! Aside from raking in endorsements, landing an acting role, and going full steam ahead with her new sandwich shop, Ariana Madix also wisely capitalized on her heartbreak with merchandise. A few weeks after her split from Tom Sandoval became public news, Madix posted a video whispering on Instagram Stories that instructed her followers to click on a link, where she promised "something cool" would be there. 

The coolness in question was all on the website officialteamariana.com, with offerings ranging from hoodies to wine tumblers to blankets and even a baby onesie. All of the gear served as the perfect gift for the Madix stan in your life, with some of her most iconic quotes — like "I'm smarter than you. I'm prettier than you. I'm cooler than you. Get over it." and "I was born cool." There's also items with her late beloved dog Charlotte's image, and an often touted phrase on "Vanderpump Rules," "Ride or Die" shirts.

Only in the reality television world do you have to face the man who cheated on you and the best friend he cheated on you with — all while the cameras roll. But Ariana Madix made sure her appearance at the Season 10 "Vanderpump Rules" reunion left her with the last laugh when it came to her ensembles. Paparazzi caught the star arriving at the taping of the reunion in a pair of sweats that read "1-800-BOYS-LIE" on the front. The matching pants featured a slogan that read, "We're sorry the number you are trying to reach has moved on." 

When it came time to get glam for the cameras, Madix changed into a dress that gave off a different type of message — a pair of show-stopping coordinates by Monot. Her look was comprised of a red cropped red jacket and a matching high-waisted pencil skirt, both of which featured strategically placed bands and cutouts that showcased her toned tummy.

Ariana Madix looked single and ready to mingle at 2023's Coachella Music Festival. She attended the annual event alongside co-stars and pals Scheana Shay and Brock Davies, rocking a crop top and short shorts. One event she was even able to profit off of — as she shared a sponsored post from an event promoting the energy drink Celsius. But the most notable happening from the reality star's time at Coachella involved a brand new man.

The blonde beauty spent a lot of time with Daniel Wai, a fitness trainer based in New York. Bravo fans went wild when TMZ reported that the two were making out during a performance at the outdoor music festival. For his part, Wai put together an Instagram Reel of his experience at the festival, with plenty of romantic snippets involving Madix. And they ended their weekend with a PDA-filled drop off at Los Angeles International Airport as Wai headed back off to New York. 

After spending some time in the desert, it was time for a European getaway. Ariana Madix jetted off to the UK with some of her besties — including Katie Maloney and former "Vanderpump Rules" star Dayna Kathan. The Los Angeles-based ladies headed to the UK to attend a friend's wedding, and Madix shared a lot of their travels on Instagram, including the group all dressed up in front of one of England's iconic double decker buses. 

Aside from attending a wedding, Madix also had time to let loose and sing some good old fashioned karaoke. TMZ reported that the reality star had some fun at a bar in Scotland, where she belted out Alanis Morissette's "Hand in My Pocket" alongside a group of pals. The outlet reported she was really feeling the optimistic line, "Everything's gonna be fine, fine, fine."

Things seem to be heating up between Ariana Madix and the man she was spotted with at Coachella, Daniel Wai. Just a few weeks after they were spotted making out at the music festival in Indio, California, they took their new relationship to the opposite coast. In early May, Madix and Wai were spotted attending a New York Yankees game together — and even got spotted on the jumbotron! 

A few days later Wai, who works as a fitness trainer in New York City, took to Instagram to explain their latest rendezvous, noting that some of the festivities were in honor of his birthday. Wai hared a sweet Reel on Instagram that featured their time at the game, among other New York escapades, and specifically called out Madix in the comments, writing, "Good way to celebrate and big thanks especially for @arianamadix @baplife @rwangg for the surprise!"

From SUR to the White House! In an unexpected turn no one saw coming, Ariana Madix found herself attending the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner at the end of April 2023. The black tie event allows famous figures and those in the media to spend time alongside government officials, and Madix didn't disappoint in the fashion department. The beauty donned a stunning strapless gown by Needle and Thread, which featured a delicate, sheer tulle cape detail, as seen in an Instagram post from pal Lala Kent, who attended alongside Madix and Lisa Vanderpump. All of the ladies attended as guests of the Daily Mail.

Prior to the event, Madix spoke to ET about what the Scandoval experience has taught her, revealing it showed her, "I can do anything. I can handle anything." During the event, Madix was spotted covering her mouth with laughter when comedian Roy Wood Jr. made a Scandoval joke, likening the big "Vanderpump Rules" cheating saga to Tucker Carlson's firing from Fox News, "Scandals have been devouring careers this year. Tucker got caught up. Got caught up like that dude from 'Vanderpump Rules'."

We've seen Ariana Madix on our television screens for a decade on "Vanderpump Rules," but as of this writing, post-Scandoval, it's unclear what the future holds for Season 11 of the Bravo series. In the meantime, there are rumblings that Madix may be joining the cast of a very different type of reality show — one of the competition kind. In April, rumors were swirling that the former SUR bartender may be in talks to put on her dancing shoes and join the next season of "Dancing With the Stars." 

Page Six first revealed the exciting potential gig, with their sources revealing, "ABC is in late stage conversations with [Madix] to be a contestant to join 'DWTS' this fall." The insider also shared that Madix "has already received all of the approvals and sign-offs from NBC Universal." The new season, Season 32, will air in September 2023.