Who is Ariana Madix? All about ‘Vanderpump Rules’ star as she competes on ‘Dancing with the Stars’

"Ariana strikes back with a vengeance" as "Dancing with the Stars" judge Bruno Tonioli put it last night.

"Vanderpump Rules" and Florida native Ariana Madix made her ballroom debut on the dancing competition show on Tuesday night, declaring herself free of the drama that came with this year's "Scandoval" incident.

Partnered up with pro-dancer Pasha Pashkov, the pair exploded onto the dance floor in a tango to “Love Myself (Riddler Remix)” by Hailee Steinfeld, which had the crowd and judges cheering. The judges' scores of 21 out of 30 shot Madix to the upper leaderboard which, combined with viewer votes, assured she was safe to dance another week.

Not sure who exactly the TV show darling is? Here's what to know about Ariana Madix.

See the dances from 'DTWS' premiere: 'Dancing With the Stars' dives into Scandoval with Ariana Madix: 'Scandal does not define me'

Who is Ariana Madix?

“Vanderpump Rules” personality Ariana Madix is a Melbourne, Florida, native and Flagler College alumni who had the entire reality TV realm in a chokehold this last year. After becoming the heartbroken victim in a public cheating scandal, the 38-year-old has graced multiple magazine covers, done various high-profile interviews and rebranded herself post-breakup.

What does Ariana Madix do for work?

Aside from her reality TV work, Madix is also an actress and former bartender. According to interviews, she got her big acting break in the 2012 straight-to-video movie "The Dead Want Women." She secured the starring role of Danni, opposite veteran Hollywood actor Eric Roberts.

She has partnered with Bic razors, Bloomingdale’s, Uber One, Boys Lie, Joyburst canned drinks and Lay’s chips for brand deals. She also is opening up a sandwich shop called "Something About Her" in West Hollywood, which was featured in season 10 of Vanderpump Rules.

What is 'Vanderpump Rules?'

The spinoff show follows the lives of people who work at the West Hollywood restaurant SUR, which is owned by Lisa Vanderpump, one of the legendary Bravo reality show stars from “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills." Debuting in 2013, it is now on its 11th season and fans can more "crazy, chaotic drama."

Ahead of its 10th season earlier this year, Vanderpump told Forbes, "I knew that authenticity was key to reality television. There was nothing inauthentic about Vanderpump Rules at all. You could film this group when we're shooting the show or could keep going all year. They hang out together, they go on holiday together, they fight together, they sleep together. So, I didn't try and create something. This was organic."

How did Madix join the cast?

People Magazine reported back in March 2023 that Madix previously worked as a bartender at a different Lisa Vanderpump restaurant in Beverly Hills before she was transferred to the West Hollywood restaurant. Once there, she became co-workers and castmates with the Vanderpump Rules crew.

Who is her ex-boyfriend, Tom Sandoval?

Missouri native Tom Sandoval was one of the original cast members of "Vanderpump Rules," where he worked as a bartender at SUR.

According to Bravo, he teamed up with castmate Tom Schwartz, Lisa Vanderpump and her husband, Ken Todd, in 2018 to open their own restaurant "TomTom" in Los Angeles. Sandoval became the co-owner of another restaurant with Schwartz, called Schwartz & Sandy’s, in fall 2022.

How did Ariana Madix meet Tom Sandoval?

The pair first connected when Madix joined the cast of "Vanderpump Rules" during its first season in 2013. Sandoval was an original cast member while viewers first spotted Madix while she worked as a bartender in the background.

Sandoval did refer to Madix as a friend in her debut episode and shared that they had previously worked together. Sandoval's then-girlfriend Kristen Doute accused him of cheating on her with the new castmate, which the pair denied.

According to past interviews with Madix, the two began dating in February 2014 and she would join the main cast in the following season. They purchased a $2 million Los Angeles home together five years later in 2019.

What was the 'Scandoval' incident involving Ariana Madix?

The breakup announcement heard around the world, earning the name "Scandoval." On March 3 of 2023, Sandoval confirmed they broke up after nine years together.

The announcement came after rumors flooded social media earlier that month that Sandoval allegedly cheated on Madix with their "Vanderpump" co-star Raquel Leviss for six months. It was made worse after multiple cast members unfollowed Sandoval, including Madix herself.

Leviss joined the series as reoccurring cast member during season 5 as the girlfriend of cast member James Kennedy and then a main cast member during season 9. They announced their engagement in May 2021 but broke up a few months later. She later was linked to Tom Schwartz in 2022, Sandoval's best friend and business partner, before the scandal broke.

According to People, Madix learned about the alleged affair “when a selfie video sexual in nature from Leviss popped up on his phone” on March 1. She reportedly “began scrolling and saw their history of inappropriate texts.”

Madix broke her silence on March 16 about Sandoval's infidelity.

Bravo then filmed a heated finale special on March 23 to address the allegations, which aired to the public on May 24 and June 7. Filled with angry yelling towards Sandoval and Leviss from the main cast, Madix received immense support from cast mates and the general public for what she had gone through the last three months.

What shows and movies has Ariana Madix been in?

She has appeared on TV shows such as "Anger Management," "Single Siblings," "Love Island," "College Humor" and "Waking Up with Strangers."

She was announced in March to be in upcoming Lifetime movie "Buying Back My Daughter," costarring alongside Meagan Good. The film is based on real life events about a teen who was the victim of human trafficking.

Why did Ariana Madix join 'Dancing with the Stars?'

Madix told Good Morning America hosts in September that she was excited to do the show. She noted that she feels “like I’m in a new phase” of life.

“I’m ready to just take on whatever I can and do my best,” she said.

In a pre-taped segment before her passionate tango, Madix spoke of the "Vanderpump Rules" scandal involving Sandoval and Leviss.

"My life has been a roller coaster in the last year," Madix said, along to the segment's dramatic music. "My partner of nine years and one of my best girlfriends were having an affair behind my back. And everybody got to watch it all play out and my life blow up on television."

More: 'Dancing with the Stars' cast: Celebrities from Florida to vie for mirrorball trophy

Asked by Pashkov why she was doing "DWTS," Madix said she wanted to stand on her own two feet because "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."

Where can I watch 'Dancing with the Stars?'

Dancing with the Stars airs live every Tuesday from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+ this fall. For those without cable, it will stream on Disney+ and Hulu the following day.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: 'DTWS' Ariana Madix: 'Vanderpump Rules,' Scandoval and what's next