Ariana Madix, known for her role in “Vanderpump Rules,” took center stage on “Dancing With the Stars,” boldly stepping into the spotlight and leaving scandal behind. At 38 years old, Madix didn’t resort to throwing shade during her inaugural routine on the reality ballroom competition’s premiere night. Instead, she metaphorically sprayed tan on her newfound path to self-discovery and empowerment.
Before delivering a passionate tango that would captivate audiences, Madix opened up about the infamous “Vanderpump Rules” scandal. This scandal involved alleged infidelity between her former partner of nine years, Tom Sandoval, and her once-close friend, Raquel Leviss. In a pre-taped segment filled with dramatic music, Madix candidly shared her thoughts on the tumultuous year that had unfolded. She revealed, “My life has been a roller coaster in the last year. My partner of nine years and one of my best girlfriends were having an affair behind my back. And everybody got to watch it all play out, my life blowing up on television.”
However, amidst the chaos and public scrutiny, Madix firmly declared, “But this scandal does not define me.”
Her professional partner, Pasha Pashkov, inquired why she decided to embark on her “DWTS” journey. Madix’s response was empowering and heartfelt. She expressed her desire to stand independently and regain her sense of self-worth, stating, “Feeling like you were a joke to your partner of nine years is devastating. But I want to show other women that none of that stuff has to hold you back.” Madix committed to presenting “a more confident and vibrant version of myself. Because I don’t need anybody else. I love me.”
The moment had come for Madix to take the stage and deliver a statement. With the enchanting melody of “Love Myself (Riddler Remix)” by Hailee Steinfeld as her backdrop, Madix exploded onto the dance floor. Her performance left the crowd cheering and the judges showering her with supportive superlatives.
Judge Bruno Tonioli exclaimed, “Ariana strikes back with a vengeance!” Fellow judge Carrie Ann Inaba was even more effusive in her praise. “Can I just say, as a woman, ‘Cheaters suck!'” Inaba passionately declared. “They suck. But you just showed every woman and every man who was watching how you handle a cheater. You come out here and turn it up!”
Madix’s impressive scores of 21 out of 30 from the judges catapulted her to the upper echelons of the leaderboard. Coupled with the viewer votes, she secured her place to dance another week.
In contrast, “Veep” star Matt Walsh and his professional partner Koko Iwasaki faced elimination after receiving low scores for their initial dance, a cha cha set to “Poison” by Bell Biv DeVoe.
“Zoey 101” star Jamie Lynn Spears embarked on her own journey, showcasing a promising debut tango performance without mentioning her older sister, Britney Spears. Spears, aged 32, did, however, emphasize her ability to handle “tough love” coaching from her pro partner, Alan Bersten. She confidently stated, “In my family, we have a lot of tough love, so I can take it.” Despite her main dance experience being rooted in cheerleading, Spears’ somewhat tentative tango, set to “Don’t Call Me Up (Zac Samuel Remix)” by Mabel, garnered praise from the judges. Inaba remarked, “When you smile, you light up the room,” and judge Derek Hough added, “I think you’re better than you believe you are.”
Speaking backstage with host Julianna Hough, Spears candidly acknowledged the need to work on the mental aspect of her performance. She confessed, “I’m always like my worst enemy,” and even just completing the dance felt like a significant victory. Lightly, she added, “Also, I was trying not to vomit the whole time. So it was a big win.”
Julianna Hough responded with humor, saying, “Alright! Let’s not vomit on these scores!” Spears advanced to the next week, poised to continue her journey on “DWTS.”
Ariana Madix’s debut on “Dancing With the Stars” was more than just a dance; it was a testament to resilience, self-love, and the ability to rise above adversity. As the competition unfolds, viewers can expect to witness Madix’s transformation into a stronger, more empowered version of herself. In a world filled with twists and turns, she’s chosen to dance her way through the spotlight, showing the world that she is more than the scandals of her past. Madix’s journey on “DWTS” is a powerful reminder that we have the strength to define ourselves, no matter the challenges we face.