Long before “Vanderpump Rules” announced its complete cast overhaul for season 12, Ariana Madix had already mapped out her exit strategy, and it turns out producers actually wanted her back for the revamped series. The 39-year-old reality star recently opened up about her departure from the Bravo series, explaining that leaving wasn’t a snap decision but rather a carefully planned move she discussed with her team during Season 11 contract negotiations.
Speaking on the “Not Skinny But Not Fat” podcast, Madix revealed the financial reality behind her initial hesitation to leave the show that made her famous. Despite wanting an exit plan, she felt trapped by concerns about her future earning potential before the show ultimately decided to replace its entire main cast.
“It was during when we were negotiating contracts for season 11 and we were working on all this stuff. It was like they’re working on Dancing With the Stars contracts, they’re working on this contract,” Madix explained to host Amanda Hirsch. “You know, my team and I have these conversations all the time, where it’s like, what do we want to do, where are we going, and I was like, ‘I can’t afford to say no to this.’ They were like, ‘Are you sure you want to go back?’ I was like I have to because then what do I do? I don’t have millions in the bank.”
Financial Concerns Kept Her Coming Back
The “Love Island USA” host admitted that money played a major role in her decision to complete one final season rather than walking away earlier. Madix also addressed criticism she received during the final season about her living situation, where viewers saw her belongings scattered throughout her space. She clarified that the mess wasn’t due to laziness, but rather preparation for a potential move, although editors didn’t provide that context to the audience.
“Also, this has been my job, like why should I disappear off the face of the planet, because I was like, why don’t I just show that my room is filled with boxes, that I’m cleaning out my closet,” she explained. “Which also, they didn’t show why I had clothes everywhere. I was literally cleaning out my closet ’cause I was packing because I thought I was moving.”
Producers Made Their Pitch Despite Cast Reboot Plans
When the time came to discuss potential participation in Season 12, Madix revealed that producers had approached her about returning, even as they were considering the dramatic cast changes that would eventually replace all the main stars. However, by that point, she had already made progress on her mental health and had a packed schedule that would have made filming challenging.
“Then I was like, we’ll see how this goes.” She then said producers asked her, “if I would come back. I said, ‘Well, you know, what does that look like?’ There was a lot of different things talked about, and I think they were like taking temperature, different places, with different people.”
Her decision to prioritize her well-being became a key factor in declining the opportunity. “For me, I was like, ‘Look, I mean, I’ve done so much work on like, my mental health is so much better right now, and I just feel like going back into that now, does it really make sense?'” she told the podcast host.
The timing also presented logistical challenges. Madix had already committed to numerous projects that would keep her busy through the end of 2024, making the proposed January filming schedule difficult to accommodate.
Since wrapping “Vanderpump Rules,” Madix has built an impressive career across multiple projects. She competed on “Dancing With the Stars,” reaching the finals, starred in “Chicago” on Broadway twice, hosted “Love Island USA” for its sixth season, guest-starred on “Will Trent,” and appeared in the film “City of Demons.” She’s currently hosting “Love Island USA” season seven, which airs daily on Peacock.
