Unveiling Ariana Madix's Remarkable Journey to Triumph as Reality Star of the Year

Ariana Madix, 38, proudly shares her ability to thrive since Scandoval during her recent cover story interview with We.

The Vanderpump Rules personality, a long-standing member of the show since season 2, generated significant attention in March when it was revealed that Tom Sandoval had cheated on her with their costar Rachel "Raquel" Leviss. Following the incident, Madix decided to sever ties with both her ex-boyfriend and Leviss, focusing on her own healing and personal growth. In addition, she has been devoting her time to her upcoming project, Something About Her shop, and has found a new romance with Daniel Wai.

Madix has taken on her most fearless role to date by becoming a contestant on the 32nd season of Dancing With the Stars. "The boldest thing I've done recently was participating in DWTS and taking on the most difficult dance of all, the samba, in just my second week on the show," Madix shares with Us.

Madix is paired with professional dancer Pasha Pashkov, and they have consistently achieved high rankings on the leaderboard since the show premiered in September.

Keep reading for Madix’s biggest secrets, including her “daring” turn in the ballroom, her go-to meal to impress a date and more:

My favorite holiday is Halloween because I love dressing up. I love all things spooky and scary, and I love the way people decorate.

My biggest fear is dying — for obvious reasons.

I was once terminated from a position at a sports bar located on Third Street in Los Angeles. This occurrence remains the sole instance in which I have been dismissed from a job, primarily due to my unfamiliarity with the route to the establishment. At that time, having recently relocated to L.A., there was a situation on the road and I was only aware of one way to reach the destination, as we had not yet fully embraced smartphone mapping capabilities. Being equipped with a Blackberry, I arrived late, resulting in my termination.

Initially, I gained employment at my grandmother and uncle's real estate office. Although one might question the significance of this role, I was engaged in secretarial tasks for my grandmother.

My initial vehicle was a 1998 Acura TL. It possessed a distinctive hue akin to that of a dark green hunter, and had witnessed numerous teenage escapades.

When it comes to culinary preferences, octopus is an exception for me. Their immense intelligence and status as my preferred oceanic creature make it difficult for me to consume them.

I have attended some incredibly amazing concerts, making it difficult for me to choose a favorite. However, my most recent concert experience was Beyonce's Renaissance tour, which truly surpassed all expectations. I had the privilege of being in Club Renaissance, where I even made eye contact with Beyonce. It was a surreal moment, leaving me with a sense of complete fulfillment.

When it comes to impressing a date with my culinary skills, there is one dish that never fails to leave a lasting impression - my mom's lemon potatoes. The preparation involves slicing the potatoes and arranging them on a tray. Generously seasoned with salt, pepper, and an abundance of fresh lemon juice, they are then roasted in the oven until they achieve the perfect balance of crispy exterior and tender interior. The result is absolutely delicious.

I take great pride in my ability to persevere.

If someone were to portray me in a film, I would choose Florence Pugh as she possesses the depth and talent to truly understand me. I believe she is utterly remarkable.

When I'm having a tough day and need to disconnect, I find solace in binge-watching 50 episodes of Love Island.

The scent of jasmine holds a special place in my heart. In numerous Los Angeles neighborhoods, it gracefully thrives, enveloping the air during peaceful strolls that contribute to my mental well-being. There's no denying that it's the most delightful fragrance.

My favorite celebrity while growing up was Taylor Hanson, and recently I had the opportunity to meet him and have my picture taken with him. It was an incredibly exciting experience for me.

One thing that really turns me off is when people smack while eating. If I happen to be sitting next to someone who does that, I feel extremely uncomfortable.

In my second week on the show, I boldly took on the challenge of performing the most difficult dance, the samba, on Dancing with the Stars. For further details about Madix, grab a copy of the latest issue of We, available now at newsstands.