Scheana Shay Reveals Surprising Connection with Ariana Madix Before 'DWTS'

Scheana Shay Makes Shady Comment About How Ariana Madix Was Her 'Backup Dancer' Before 'DWTS'

Scheana Shay and Ariana Madix. Getty Images (2)

Scheana Shay allowed her jealousy to take over when Dancing With the Stars offered Ariana Madix a chance at the mirrorball trophy before her.

In a preview of the upcoming episode, Scheana, 38, and Lisa Vanderpump talked about the sudden attention surrounding Ariana, 38, following Tom Sandoval and Rachel "Raquel" Leviss' relationship issues. Scheana confessed that she was hurt when ABC invited Ariana to participate in the show.

Scheana shared that she began taking dance classes this year as a way to prepare just in case she got the opportunity. She mentioned that not getting it was disappointing for her.

Lisa mentioned that Scheana has been open about her desire to compete on Dancing With the Stars for a while now. Lisa, who was a contestant in 2013, and Ariana, who made it to the season 23 finale last year, have also been involved in the show.

Scheana clarified that she was thrilled to support Ariana, adding, “I am so happy for her. But I can be happy for her and sad for me at the same time.”

Scheana Shay Makes Shady Comment About How Ariana Madix Was Her 'Backup Dancer' Before 'DWTS'

During the confessional, Scheana made a snide comment about Ariana, saying, "And, like, good for her. She has come such a long way from being my backup dancer," as she smiled at the camera.

After news of Sandoval’s affair broke in March 2023, Ariana received a lot of public support. The scandal led to the end of their nine-year relationship. Despite the difficult situation, Ariana found some positive outcomes. She was offered opportunities like appearing on DWTS, landing the role of Roxie Hart in Chicago on Broadway, and releasing a new cocktail book called Single AF Cocktails.

Scheana talked about Ariana’s sudden rise to fame on the episode of Vanderpump Rules that aired on Tuesday, March 5th.

She knew how much I wanted to be on Dancing With the Stars. I told her, "I am truly happy for you. I'll be there every Monday if you want me there," she shared with Lala Kent. "She truly deserves all the success she's getting now, and I'm genuinely happy that she didn't fall into a dark place. I'm still hurting, but I'm happy for her."

Scheana Shay Makes Shady Comment About How Ariana Madix Was Her 'Backup Dancer' Before 'DWTS'

Scheana expressed her feelings, saying, "Why can't I have a moment where it's about me? I'm hurt. I lost a dear friend and I'm struggling with that. But I'm not allowed to feel anything because it's only about Ariana. I'm tired."

In the upcoming episode airing on Tuesday, March 12, Scheana opens up about her complex feelings towards Ariana. She expressed that Ariana did not give her the space to rebuild her friendship with Sandoval, 41.

"It's tough when I try to share my emotions about Sandoval with her. She flat out told me, 'I don't want to hear about it,'" Scheana revealed in the clip. "I've been there for Ariana through thick and thin. But is my support not sufficient?"

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Scheana opened up about feeling hesitant to share her thoughts, saying, "I sometimes hold back because the focus always seems to be on someone else. Lately, I find it hard to communicate with her because I feel like my feelings are not taken seriously."

Season 11 of Vanderpump Rules airs on Bravo Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET and is available to stream on Peacock the next day.

Editor's P/S:

Scheana Shay's jealousy over Ariana Madix's success on "Dancing With the Stars" highlights the complexities of navigating friendships and personal aspirations. Despite publicly supporting Ariana, Scheana's envy and disappointment simmer beneath the surface. Her comments about Ariana's background as a backup dancer reveal a sense of entitlement and a desire for recognition.

Scheana's struggles to process her emotions regarding Tom Sandoval's infidelity further complicate the situation. While she expresses support for Ariana, she also feels abandoned by her friend, who she believes has not provided adequate support during this challenging time. The dynamics within the Vanderpump Rules group are strained as Scheana grapples with her feelings of hurt and inadequacy. The upcoming episode promises to delve deeper into the complexities of this friendship and the impact of personal ambitions on interpersonal relationships.