Scheana Shay Reflects on Her Candid Remarks About Ariana Madix Missing Out on 'DWTS' Opportunity

Scheana Shay Addresses Her Cringe Comments About Ariana Madix Being Offered DWTS Instead of Her

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Scheana Shay talked about the criticism she received for her comments on Vanderpump Rules about Ariana Madix being considered for Dancing With the Stars over her.

On her podcast "Scheananigans" on Friday, March 15, Shay, 38, responded to a fan's question about whether she regretted her remarks about Madix, who is also 38.

"I know it might be embarrassing, but that was genuinely how I felt at that moment. Even though I might cringe at myself sometimes, I never regret being open. It's part of my job," she said. "This season, I was focusing on being the most transparent and truthful version of myself - even if the audience doesn't always agree with me."

Shay stood by her choice to share everything, saying, "I really stepped out of my comfort zone this season and I hope you all can be understanding and show me some grace. A lot of the things we're dealing with are things many people can relate to. I'm being open because I want to help others who have been through similar experiences."

In a recent episode of Vanderpump Rules, Shay opened up to Lisa Vanderpump about feeling hurt when Madix was asked to compete in a competition series by ABC.

Shay shared with Lisa, "I started taking dance classes this year, preparing in case I got the opportunity. It was definitely a blow to hear about it. I am genuinely happy for her success, but I also feel a mix of happiness for her and sadness for myself at the same time."

Shay then made a confessional, where she seemed to make a snide remark, mentioning, "Good for her. She has come such a long way from being my backup dancer."

After the video spread on social media, Shay took to her podcast to explain her intentions. "I was just joking when I said that. I didn't mean to throw shade," she clarified on Friday. "Sometimes when I try to make fun of myself, it doesn't come across well. It just doesn't work."

Shay shared that Madix joined her in a flashback scene for her season 1 performance on Vanderpump Rules.

She mentioned, "I always try to incorporate flashbacks in the show. I believe it adds value to my 11 seasons on the show by revisiting past moments. Flashbacks are always enjoyable to watch. So, there was no intention of throwing shade with that scene."

Shay had nothing but praise for Madix’s dance abilities — especially after watching her compete on season 23 of DWTS.

Scheana Shay Addresses Her Cringe Comments About Ariana Madix Being Offered DWTS Instead of Her

Scheana Shay shared that Ariana is an amazing dancer, as seen on Dancing With the Stars. She asked Ariana to be part of her show because she knew she would enhance the performance. Scheana also clarified that she would not have wanted to compete against Ariana on Dancing with the Stars. She wanted to make it clear that her comment was not meant to be shady and apologized if it came across that way.

Madix shared her thoughts on the drama during the latest episode of WWHL. She mentioned that her participation in DWTS opened up new opportunities for her costars, paving the way for them as well. Shay, on the other hand, clarified on her podcast that she was not actually upset with Madix.

Shay expressed her feelings about the situation, revealing that she was one of the last to find out about Ariana being on DWTS. She felt hurt because if there was a non-disclosure agreement in place, why did others know before her? She questioned whether this meant that there was a lack of trust. Shay also mentioned that she used to be the first person Ariana would confide in, which made her feel particularly hurt in that moment. Looking back, Shay wished they could have avoided the whole situation.

Shay reassured fans that her friendship with Madix is genuine, explaining that it started long before reality TV entered the picture. She emphasized that their bond is like family and will always remain strong.

When asked about handling fans with strong opinions about the show, Shay shared her approach to dealing with feedback.

As a mom, Shay feels overwhelmed by the noise around her. She wants to create a peaceful environment for her daughter, Summer, and herself. Shay aims to be a role model for her daughter and hopes to make her proud.

You can catch Vanderpump Rules on Bravo every Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET. If you miss it, you can stream it on Peacock the following day.

Editor's P/S:

Scheana Shay's comments on Vanderpump Rules regarding Ariana Madix's Dancing With the Stars casting have sparked controversy. Shay initially expressed disappointment over Madix being chosen over her, but later clarified that she was joking and had no malicious intent. She emphasized her genuine happiness for Madix's success and defended her decision to share her feelings on the show, stating that transparency and authenticity were important to her.

While Shay's intention may not have been to throw shade, her comments nevertheless caused hurt feelings. Madix addressed the situation on Watch What Happens Live, acknowledging that Shay had reached out to apologize. Despite the initial discomfort, Shay and Madix have maintained their close friendship, which they believe is stronger than any reality TV drama. Shay's focus on creating a peaceful environment for her daughter, Summer, is commendable, and her desire to be a positive role model is evident in her approach to handling criticism. it means facing criticism.