If you still think of Ariana Madix as just a "reality star" who got cheated on in a global scandal, you've missed the biggest pivot in modern entertainment. It’s early 2026. While the dust has finally settled on the legal battles over her Valley Village home, Ariana’s IMDb page is getting more crowded than a Tuesday night at SUR.
She isn't just surviving. She's dominating.
Most people know her from Vanderpump Rules, but the list of Ariana Madix movies and TV shows stretches back way before she ever picked up a muddler for Lisa Vanderpump. She didn’t just stumble into a Broadway costume or a hosting gig on Love Island USA by accident. She’s been a working actress since 2008, grinding through indie films and sitcom guest spots that most fans completely forget exist.
The Scripted Era: Beyond the Reality Lens
Ariana’s early career looks like a "Who's Who" of 2010s digital comedy. If you go back far enough, you'll find her in CollegeHumor Originals playing everything from "Hot Girl" to "Lexi." She was doing the work. She was in the trenches of LA casting offices long before anyone knew what "Scandoval" meant.
Let’s talk about her actual acting credits. People often sleep on her scripted work, but it’s surprisingly diverse:
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- Buying Back My Daughter (2023): This was a major turning point. She played Officer Karen in this Lifetime movie, acting alongside Meagan Good. It wasn’t a "blink and you'll miss it" cameo; she played a cop with a personal connection to a sex trafficking case. Honestly, she held her own.
- St. Denis Medical (2025-2026): She recently landed a recurring role as Dr. Emerson. This is a big deal because it’s a high-profile mockumentary on NBC. It shows she can handle scripted comedy with the same ease she handles a chaotic reunion couch.
- Will Trent (2025): She popped up as herself in the episode "Abigail B." It was a meta moment, but it kept her face in front of a totally different demographic than the Bravo crowd.
- Paradise City (2021): She played Bobbi in this scripted series about the rock-and-roll lifestyle.
There are also those "lost" indie films like Dirty Dealing 3D and Attack of the 50 Foot Cheerleader. Are they Oscar contenders? No. But they prove she’s been an actress first, and a reality personality second.
Why Love Island USA Changed Everything
When Ariana took over hosting duties for Love Island USA in 2024, the internet basically broke. It was a masterstroke. She replaced Sarah Hyland and somehow made the show feel more authentic. Why? Because she’s a superfan.
She isn't just reading a teleprompter. She knows the lore. She understands the "bombshell" mechanics.
By the time Season 7 rolled around in 2025, she had cemented herself as the face of the franchise. It’s rare for a reality participant to successfully transition into a host role without it feeling forced. But with Ariana, it feels like she’s exactly where she belongs. She even branched out into Love Island Games and Love Island: Beyond the Villa, proving she’s the hardest working person in the Peacock ecosystem.
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The Broadway Record-Breaker
We have to talk about Chicago.
In early 2024, Ariana made her debut as Roxie Hart at the Ambassador Theatre. Most people expected a "stunt casting" situation where a reality star brings in some ticket sales and then fades away. Instead, she broke box office records.
She was so good they brought her back for a second run in late 2024.
She studied musical theater at Flagler College, so this wasn't some new hobby. It was a return to her roots. Seeing her go from a messy breakup on Bravo to a standing ovation on the Great White Way was the ultimate "best revenge is your success" story.
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The Current State of Vanderpump Rules
As of January 2026, the status of Vanderpump Rules is... complicated. With the news of a revamped cast for the upcoming seasons, Ariana has mostly moved on. She’s reached a conditional settlement with her ex over their shared house, and she’s looking forward.
She told E! News recently that she wants "more hosting, more acting." She isn't looking back at the drama that made her a household name. She's looking at the call sheets for her next big comedy project.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Creators
If you’re tracking the Ariana Madix movies and TV shows trajectory, there are a few things to keep an eye on this year:
- Watch the NBC Mid-Season Lineup: Her role in St. Denis Medical is expanding. If you want to see her actual comedic chops, this is where to look.
- Streaming Strategy: Peacock is her home base. Between Love Island and the VPR archives, she’s the queen of the platform. If you’re looking for her latest hosting gigs, check the "New & Upcoming" section on Peacock regularly.
- Broadway Rumors: She’s hinted at wanting to get back on stage in 2026. Keep an eye on casting announcements for limited engagements in New York—she’s proven she can move tickets.
Ariana Madix is no longer a "Bravo-lebrity." She’s a multi-hyphenate who leveraged a moment of public sympathy into a legitimate, diversified career in entertainment. Whether she's playing a doctor on a sitcom or hosting a bunch of 20-somethings in Fiji, she’s clearly done playing the supporting character in someone else's story.