POWER MOVES

ShekicRed feality-TV's worst boyfriend to the curb. Now Ariana Madix is dancing her way into America's hearts

- JAIME HARKIN & SARAH JONES

In early March, Ariana Madix’s world turned upside down when it was revealed that her boyfriend of nine years, Tom Sandoval, was cheating on her with her close friend and fellow Vanderpump Rules costar Rachel “Raquel” Leviss. What followed was a surreal chain of events for Madix as “Scandoval” gripped the nation, setting social media ablaze and breathing new life into the Bravo reality series.

A longtime fan favorite thanks to her refreshing mix of girl’s-girl energy and vulnerability, Madix was suddenly the TV star everyone everywhere was rooting for. As the demise of her relationship played out IRL and on the show (production on season 10 resumed as soon as the news broke), the Florida native, 38, released breakup merch, was cast in a Lifetime movie and even got invited to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Her now-iconic confrontation with Sandoval during the season finale was a master class in badassery, and in September, it was announced she was joining season 32 of Dancing With the Stars.

Eight months after the drama unfolded, Madix — who’s been dating New York–based fitness coach Daniel Wai since April — says she feels more confident than ever and is focused on looking forward. “This situation made me realize that I can do hard things,” she tells Us. “The worst-case scenario literally did happen, and I was OK. Like, look — you can handle what’s thrown at you.” Madix sat down with Us on the set of her cover shoot in L.A. to talk about what’s next for her.

Were you aware of how big Scandoval was when it was happening?