The Vanderpump Rules' star talks with The Hollywood Reporter about that recent dramatic double elimination, navigating the heated moments and her relationship advice
Season six of Peacock‘s Love Island USA could arguably be one of the most dramatic thus far — and it’s only 15 episodes in.
Not only is the long-running dating competition series finding new eyes this year, but it also has a new host with Vanderpump Rules breakout star Ariana Madix.
Her hosting turn on the hit dating show comes as her status with her other reality show — the hit Bravo series that has followed her and her Hollywood friends for just over a decade — remains fluid. Following the “Scandoval” scandal that centered on her and ex Tom Sandoval for the past two seasons, Vanderpump Rules is taking a hiatus. Madix and the ensemble are taking the summer off of filming in order to regroup. Ultimately, it will be up to Madix whether she wants to return.
With the break, the sandwich shop co-owner (who recently opened Something About Her) is now bringing her signature looks and facial reactions to a different setting: the Love Island villa.
“I knew going in that I just wanted to be me, times 10, and just bring whatever makes me me to the role,” Madix tells The Hollywood Reporter of hosting the American spinoff of the popular British dating series.
“If I’m not watching it and I’m not in the villa, I’m on the Instagram or the TikTok account, commenting my opinions with twitchy thumbs because I have so many thoughts all the time,” adds the host, who has also been a longtime fan of the Love Island franchise.
You went from “VIP guest” in season five and Love Island Games to hosting season six. What was it like getting that call?
It was amazing! I was actually backstage at [Broadway show] Chicago [where she plays Roxie Hart], and I had to sneak away into the stage manager’s office to take a call. Getting that news was so exciting. I was backstage, living this lifelong dream of being on Broadway. And then to get that call and go into another total dream was amazing. A pinch-me moment.
Did you feel any pressure taking over the reins from previous host Sarah Hyland, and did you get any advice?
I didn’t get any advice. But what’s really cool and crazy is that because she’s doing [Little Shop of Horrors on Broadway], we almost just like did a swapsies. (Laughs.) And I’m actually kind of bummed, because I would love to see her in Little Shop. But you know, as a longtime fan of Love Island across the board, watching Sarah 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 it as host, along with Arielle Vandenberg, Sophie Monk, Caroline Flack — the best to ever do it, Maya Jama, who’s like the hottest person alive — I know that every host brings their own flavor to the job and to the show. And so I knew going in that I just wanted to be me because that alleviates any sort of pressure to try to do what anyone else is doing, and creates something that can’t be re-created because you’re just being yourself. But I think the excitement on my end is palpable because it is my favorite show.
You’ve had some memorable reactions to the drama so far. What is going through your head witnessing the heated moments live in the villa?
How do you navigate delivering bad news? Do you get nervous in those moments?
Love Island USA castmembers: Cassidy Laudano, Miguel Harichi, Serena Page, Nigel Okafor, Kenny Rodriguez, JaNa Craig. Kim Nunneley/Peacock
Do you get to talk with the Islanders more than what the viewers see on camera?
And sometimes I can’t tell if I’m successfully communicating with my eyes. I’m trying to tell them that I love them through my eyes. But I don’t know if it really translates. (Laughs.) They’re probably like, “Why is she staring at me?”
The double elimination with Andrea Carmona and Hakeem White could potentially be considered one of the most dramatic in Love Island USA history — do you think the Islanders made the right decisions?
And while this is Love Island and not Friendship Island, I think that something on every single season — because these types of eliminations do happen on every season — it is important you have the person you are coupled up with, or want to be coupled up with, but that you also have the other Islanders. It is important to be making friendship connections as well. And so I think when the girls were weighing all of their options, they chose who they thought made the most sense to them.
Do you have a favorite couple you’re rooting for?
Having been through your own ups and downs in past relationships, what advice would you give to the Islanders?
I would tell them, I think that sometimes someone seems really great on paper, my type on paper as they say, and I think that sometimes the grass is greener when a bombshell comes in. I know we don’t have a ton of time on Love Island for anybody to really be thinking, taking their time to make decisions. But if they just would talk about it with their friends a little bit more and try to see what’s good in the person that they were with. I guess what I’m saying is that sometimes you can’t tell chemistry until you actually are with someone in the room, so it’s hard to say. I really liked Nicole and Kendall together. And so when Miguel came in, I was sad she was trying to get to know Miguel. And so I wish that Nicole would just give it a second. But it’s hard. They don’t know what time it is, they don’t know what day it is, they don’t know what’s going on. I can only imagine the whirlwind of emotions they’re all feeling at all times. And I’m really glad the girls seem to all be there for each other, because I think that that’s been so great to watch this season. It’s been so important in them being able to move through this crazy experience.
Can you tease any games or challenges planned for the Islanders in the upcoming episodes?
Do you hope to host more seasons of Love Island USA, and if so, have you been asked to return for season seven?
I don’t know anything yet, but I hope to host this show until I die … until it never airs ever again or something. (Laughs.)
Love Island USA season six is currently streaming on Peacock.
