How Vanderpump Rules' Ariana Madix Is 'Thriving' After Scandoval Drama

Who knew getting cheated on could lead to so much liberation? Ariana Madix has been enjoying a new level of fame and popularity in the wake of a messy breakup with Tom Sandoval. With Madix and Sandoval's decade-long relationship being captured on "Vanderpump Rules," it only made sense that their split (caused by a shocking cheating scandal, or "Scandoval") took center stage on the show. Season 10 captured the aftermath of Madix finding proof in Sandoval's phone that he had been cheating on her with her friend Raquel Leviss for months. Viewers were quick to throw their support around Madix and bash the new villains, Sandoval and Leviss.

With all the added support from fans, Madix has become the new it girl in Hollywood. She attended the White House Correspondents' Dinner with Lisa Vanderpump and Lala Kent, where host Roy Woods Jr. took a few comedic jabs at Tom Sandoval. She also enjoyed a weekend at Coachella where she ignited dating rumors with a personal trainer by the name of Daniel Wai, via TMZ. From the looks of it, Madix has been bouncing back from her breakup just fine. 

Ariana Madix's friends also think the "Vanderpump Rules" star has newfound confidence that's creeping to the surface after her split from Tom Sandoval. Outspoken co-star Lala Kent believes Madix is "thriving" in the wake of Scandoval, as she told E! News. Kent mentioned a green room moment where she showed Madix a recent photo of herself, and the Bravo star couldn't hold back from acknowledging how fantastic she's looking these days. "I had never heard her refer to herself like that ever," Kent admitted. It was another example of how Madix is rebounding after cutting "the dead weight," as Kent referred to Tom Sandoval.

Thanks to the Scandoval, the "Vanderpump Rules" ladies are enjoying added exposure. Kent and Scheana Shay joined Madix in appearing in an Uber One commercial that sampled Shay's infamous track "Good As Gold." Madix looked genuinely happy throughout the ad that premiered the same day as the "Vanderpump Rules" season finale, as she mentioned in her Instagram post of the commercial. It was just one of many advertising endorsements Madix has been raking in after the dramatic breakup.

One look at Ariana Madix's recent Instagram posts, and it's clear the "Vanderpump Rules" star is cashing checks from the extra exposure she's receiving in endorsements. In addition to an Uber One commercial, Madix appeared on "Today With Hoda and Jenna" where she opened up about Scandoval and the season 10 finale. And as mentioned on Instagram, she also promoted financial literacy as part of her partnership with the money management app SoFi. Madix posted an Instagram photo slide of all the fun-filled activities she's been up to, which included a selfie in a plunging red dress, turn-up sessions with her girlfriends, and even a selfie with her rumored new beau Daniel Wai. 

During her latest appearance on "Watch What Happens Live" with Andy Cohen, Madix gushed when asked about her budding romance with Wai. "I'll just say that I am very happy and very satisfied," she told Cohen after he noted how content she appears with her new partner (via Bravo). Madix's most recent glam photoshoot shared on Instagram might tease her plans to change things up in all the right ways now that she's enjoying newfound fame, freedom, and liberation. Sandoval might've been what was holding Madix back from reaching a new plateau in Hollywood.