Ariana Madix Reveals the Status of Her Vanderpump Rules Friendships

The TV host/Broadway actress admitted one of the relationships took "a big hit" after the explosive VPR Season 11 reunion.

The past year and a half has brought many changes for Ariana Madix — especially in the relationship department. 

As seen in Vanderpump Rules Season 11, the multi-hyphenate experienced several friendship rifts while navigating the aftermath of her breakup with Tom Sandoval. Ariana made it clear she wanted nothing to do with her ex and initially vowed to cut ties with anyone who remained his friend. This, of course, caused friction with some of her castmates, including Scheana Shay, who admittedly struggled to disassociate from Tom. 

Are Ariana Madix and Scheana Shay on speaking terms?

The drama was highlighted in the Vanderpump Rules Season 11 reunion, which captured tense and emotional moments between Ariana and Scheana. After the three-part reunion aired, uncertainty continued to loom over the relationship, as many wondered if the former besties would ever reconcile. 

Ariana addressed the relationship during the August 13 episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, confirming she still communicated with Scheana “here and there.”

“Would you say that your friendship took a big hit after the reunion?” host Andy Cohen asked.

“Yes,” Ariana replied before applauding Scheana’s recent honor. “But there’s a lot of love there, and I think that will always be there. And I’m really happy, she just won an award for talking about her postpartum OCD, and I thought that was really, really lovely.”

Ariana shares updates on Tom Schwartz and Katie Maloney

Katie Maloney at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards held at the Dolby Theatre on April 1, 2024 in Los Angeles, California; Ariana Madix attends Sparkle's Drag Spectacular benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at The Comedy Chateau on April 27, 2024 in North Hollywood, California; Tom Schwartz at the Season 11 Vanderpump Rules reunion. Photo: Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Images; Bravo; Paul Archuleta/Getty Images

Ariana also confirmed she hasn’t spoken to Tom Schwartz since Season 11 wrapped, but didn’t expand on their falling-out.

As for the status of Lala Kent and Katie Maloney’s rocky relationship, Ariana claimed she was out of the loop. 

“I don’t know,” she told Andy. 

Ariana did, however, shut down rumors about Katie’s dating life. She confirmed that her longtime friend/business partner was not dating Love Island USA contestant Connor Newsom… or anyone else, for that matter.

“Katie is not dating anyone,” Ariana said. “I have never played matchmaker with Katie.”

Ariana says she & James Kennedy have a "big sister, little brother" bond

James Kennedy attends the 2022 MTV Movie & TV Awards: UNSCRIPTED at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California and broadcast on June 5, 2022; Ariana Madix as host of Love Island USA Season 6 Photo: Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images for MTV;

But the friendship updates didn’t end there. During the WWHL After Show, Ariana was asked about James Kennedy’s emotional reaction to her Love Island USA hosting gig. The DJ/producer congratulated Ariana in a June 12 Instagram Story, admitting he “teared up” when he heard the news.

“It means a lot to me to hear that from James,” Ariana said about the heartwarming post. “James is always — I feel like we have a big sister, little brother relationship a bit. It’s a show that both of us have chatted about in the past, so it’s very cool that him and [his girlfriend, Ally Lewber] were watching. That was like, really cute. I loved it...He’s really supportive.”