Ariana Madix is proving she’s more than just a reality TV star—she’s a hosting force to be reckoned with! Fresh off her second season as host of Love Island USA, the 40-year-old Vanderpump Rules alum is stepping into the spotlight alongside Bravo legend Andy Cohen for the highly anticipated season 7 reunion special. In a recent interview with PEOPLE at the opening of Shakespeare in the Park’s Twelfth Night on August 21, Madix shared how Cohen’s commanding presence on set has shaped her own hosting style.
“I was taking mental notes all day,” Madix revealed. “Andy has this incredible ability to take charge—not just with the Islanders, but of the entire production. It was a lightbulb moment for me, like, ‘Oh, I’m allowed to do that!’ It’s been such a fun learning experience.”
The chemistry between Madix and Cohen was undeniable. “We had an absolute blast together,” she gushed, reflecting on their dynamic during the reunion taping. For Madix, who spent a decade as a cast member on Vanderpump Rules facing Cohen’s tough questions at reunions, the tables have now turned. Stepping into the host’s chair, she admitted to feeling a twinge of guilt when grilling the Love Island USA cast with hard-hitting questions.
“Sometimes I do feel bad putting people in the hot seat,” she confessed. “But then I remind myself that these tough questions are what the audience wants answers to. It’s a chance for the Islanders to share their side, to dig deeper into how they felt in those pivotal moments. It’s not just about the drama—it’s about giving them a platform to express themselves.”
Cohen, the 57-year-old Watch What Happens Live host, gave fans a behind-the-scenes peek at the reunion via his Instagram Stories earlier this month. “Love Island reunions are no joke,” he said during a dinner break at 9:45 p.m. “This one’s good, and everyone’s here!” He also put rumors to rest about cast absences, confirming that even controversial Islander Huda Mustafa was in attendance.
Cohen couldn’t stop singing Madix’s praises, calling their collaboration a “full-circle moment.” “I’m having so much fun with Ariana,” he shared. “She’s amazing, and hosting a reunion with her is such a blast!” The long day wrapped at 11 p.m., with Cohen teasing that the episode was packed with drama.
The trailer for the Love Island USA season 7 reunion, set to air on Peacock on Monday, August 25, promises an explosive episode. Winners Amaya and Bryan, couples Nic and Olandria, Ace and Chelley, Pepe and Iris, Taylor and Clarke, and exes Chris and Huda are all featured, alongside returning dumped Islanders like Belle-A, Jeremiah, Austin, TJ, Hannah, Charlie, and Andreina. The preview hints at intense confrontations, with Hannah in tears, Chelley and Olandria addressing Huda’s bullying allegations, and Bryan responding to rumors of infidelity with Amaya. The drama peaks when Madix announces an unseen extended version of the heart rate challenge, leaving the cast visibly shocked.