Ariana Madix Has Advice for ‘Love Island USA’ Cast Members: ‘Start Therapy Now’
Ariana Madix has one tip for this year’s Love Island USA cast: Book your therapy appointment before you check into the villa.
Ariana Madix says therapy will prepare Islanders for what’s ahead
The Vanderpump Rules alum returns to host season 8 of the Peacock dating show, which premieres June 2. And after years in the reality TV trenches, she knows a thing or two about navigating life in front of the cameras and in the pubic eye.
“Honestly, start therapy now,” she recently told Bustle when discussing what advice she’d give the Islanders. “And I don’t mean that reality TV is going to f*ck up your brain. I just think the sooner you start therapy, the more prepared you’re going to be for anything that comes at you. You’ll come out on the other side less scathed – plus, you’ll be able to talk about your feelings in a more concise way.”
‘Vanderpump Rules’ was ‘terrified’ when she joined the cast of the Bravo show
Madix – who fell into her reality TV career as a struggling actor – could have used those words of wisdom herself when she joined Pump Rules. She said she was “terrified” when she was first cast. Learning how to behave while filming was a challenge.
“I was always really bad about saying what I think in a succinct way,” she recalled. “I still am — I’m becoming less concise by the day. I’ll talk about something for so long it doesn’t even make sense anymore. I really wish I’d had one of those emotions charts because in reality TV, you really have to be able to name the feeling. I’m also really bad at interrupting people, because in a scripted situation, you wouldn’t want to step on someone’s line.”
Madix stressed that appearing on the Bravo show was a job, though it was often a fun one.
“Making reality television definitely feels like work … It’s a bit like clocking into your shift and checking in with your boss,” she shared.
Reality TV opened doors for Ariana Madix
Eventually, Vanderpump Rules gave Madix the chance to pursue other opportunities, including brand deals that gave her more financial security. (In 2023, she also landed her dream gig – a role in a Broadway production of Chicago.) She said that Islanders should be thoughtful about their next moves after the show.
“That’s advice I’d give to Love Islanders coming out of the Villa now: If you get an offer from a brand, make sure it’s showcasing what you love — whether that’s singing, dancing, acting, skateboarding, whatever,” she said.
“The belief for so long was that if you did reality TV, that wiped the slate clean of everything else you’re good at or passionate about,” she added. “But now, people are realizing you can do both, and, honestly, a lot of the skills are transferable.
Love Island USA Season 8 premieres Tuesday, June 2 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on Peacock.
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