Ariana Madix was winning the moment she broke up with Tom Sandoval. Now, as a fan-favorite on season 32 of “Dancing With the Stars,” the reality star is proving why she deserves to take home another crown. If her fiery comebacks on the “Vanderpump Rules” reunion served as any indication, viewers suspected Madix would bring the heat long before she took the stage. But her trademark strength aside, her actual dancing has surpassed many viewers’ expectations, showcasing a fun, more light-hearted side of her.
Madix came in hot from day one, performing a fiery tango in a rendition of her infamous revenge dress. “I literally said ‘wow’ once they started. She’s really good,” one viewer wrote on YouTube. Others applauded her for doing something so exciting after such a public breakup. “She is going to make it so far in this competition if not WIN it,” another fan added. According to Madix’s website, although she hasn’t danced in years, she has won two national dance championships. This history, in addition to her past cheerleading experience at Flagler College, could explain her impressive rhythm and partner work.
Madix previously said she made the decision to join the “DWTS” cast, in part, because of the turbulent year. “Feeling like you were a joke to your partner of nine years is devastating. But I want to show other women none of that stuff has to hold you back,” she told her dance partner, Pasha Pashkov, before her first performance. She then swore to show a part of herself that often went unseen due to the relentless drama surrounding #Scandoval. “This is going to be a more confident, fun, and vibrant version of myself,” she promised. “Because I don’t need anybody else. I love me.” Read on to see how Madix’s performances have delivered on her word (so far).