Ariana Madix Gives Melanoma Update After Seven Years

Vanderpump Rules alum Ariana Madix is celebrating being cancer-free for seven years. In 2018, Ariana was diagnosed with melanoma. Now she’s sharing her happiness about her recovery and how good it feels to be healthy again.

On March 26, the Chicago star took to Instagram to tell the story of her brush with cancer. “I had noticed a dark spot here,” she said, pointing to her chest. “But it was a few years before I decided to do anything about it. A major push for me to see the dermatologist came from my [Instagram] followers. I went to see a dermatologist, and he immediately made me see a plastic surgeon.”

The surgeon removed the mole. When testing revealed it was, in fact, melanoma, the doctor removed a larger area around the mole. Since the tumor was so close to her lymph nodes, they also had to be removed to ensure the disease hadn’t spread (it hadn’t). Now Ariana proudly wears “this lovely scar across my chest,” proving she’s a survivor.

Ariana Madix gives update on health journey

In 2019, Ariana shared with Entertainment Tonight about her continuing awareness of melanoma and the possibility of its return. “Once you have it, it’s much easier to have it again or have it throughout your life,” she explained. “It’s going to be an ongoing thing, but right now, I do not have cancer in my body.”

I’m sure Ariana’s heart goes out to Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum Teddi Mellencamp, who’s currently battling melanoma. Following multiple surgeries to remove cancerous skin lesions, doctors discovered tumors in Teddi’s brain and lungs. The mom of three is currently undergoing treatment, while trying to remain active and positive about her prognosis.

In 2023, the Love Island USA host told the Skin Cancer Foundation that now she’s that “annoying friend” who’s always nagging her pals about wearing sunscreen and getting your skin checked. “Skin cancer can be so fast and aggressive,” she explained. “I was lucky … mine wasn’t moving very quickly, but I don’t want any of my friends or family to be in a position where they don’t get checked, and it’s too late.”

Growing up in Florida, iHeart Radio’s Favorite Broadway Debut Nominee naturally spent a lot of time in pursuit of the perfect tan. “I would go to the tanning bed almost every day, and then sometimes in the same day, go to the beach and lay out,” she confessed.

But those days are long behind her. “Now, when I have to film something, I’ll use a foam, sunless tanner, that I put on a mitt and rub in,” she said.

All episodes of Vanderpump Rules are now streaming on Peacock.