Ariana Madix Recalls Scandoval Drama On 'DWTS'
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00:00 This scandal does not define me.
00:02 Ariana Maddox is tangoing through the tough times.
00:05 The 38-year-old Vanderpump Rules star
00:07 hit the Dancing with the Stars ballroom
00:09 during the 32nd season premiere on Tuesday night
00:12 to perform a fiery red tango dance routine
00:15 with her partner, Pasha Pashkov.
00:17 But ahead of showing off her moves,
00:19 Ariana reflected on the scandal surrounding her split
00:22 from ex Tom Sandoval, who was having a months-long affair
00:26 with her former co-star and BFF, Raquel Levis.
00:30 My life has been a roller coaster in the last year.
00:34 You probably know me from Vanderpump Rules.
00:37 My partner of nine years and one of my best girlfriends
00:40 were having an affair behind my back.
00:43 And everybody got to watch it all play out,
00:45 and my life blow up on television.
00:47 But this scandal does not define me.
00:50 So now, I just want to do something for me
00:53 that's fun and positive.
00:56 [SCREAMS]
00:57 Hi.
00:58 [LAUGHS]
00:59 I'm Pasha.
01:00 Ariana.
01:01 Why are you doing Dancing with the Stars?
01:04 It's time for me to just stand on my own two feet
01:07 with the help of you.
01:08 Feeling like you were a joke to your partner of nine years
01:11 and your best friend is devastating.
01:14 But I want to show other women none of that stuff
01:16 has to hold you back.
01:18 The reality star concluded her emotional intro
01:20 by revealing she's ready to dance away from the drama
01:23 and do this next chapter of her life for her.
01:26 This is going to be a more confident, fun, and vibrant
01:29 version of myself because I don't need anybody else.
01:33 I love me.
01:34 So sure.
01:35 [LAUGHS]
01:38 Ariana and Pasha performed a tango for their first routine,
01:42 Da Haley Steinfeld's "Love Myself."
01:44 And she rocked a sparkly version of the same revenge
01:47 dress she wore for the Vanderpump Rules season 10 reunion.
01:51 And Dancing with the Stars judge, Karyanna N'Naba,
01:54 had some wise words for Ariana.
01:57 Can I just say, as a woman, cheaters suck.
02:01 They suck.
02:02 But you just showed every woman, every man, anybody
02:04 who is watching how you handle a cheater.
02:07 You come out here and you turn it up.
02:09 The pair were also a hit as she tied for second place
02:12 at 21 points with Jason Mraz and Daniella Kargash.
02:17 AXS Hollywood chatted with Ariana a few weeks
02:19 before the premiere, and she opened up
02:21 about why the opportunity to be on Dancing with the Stars
02:23 is so empowering after such a difficult chapter
02:26 in her personal life.
02:28 I'm thrilled to see you do this.
02:29 What made you want to do it?
02:32 It's just such a positive experience.
02:34 And everyone that's ever done Dancing with the Stars
02:36 just comes away from it feeling so empowered
02:38 and talking about how amazing it is.
02:41 And I just feel like it's a once in a lifetime opportunity.
02:44 And I really wanted to take it and just gravity the more.
02:48 I love this.
02:49 I feel like you just went through one of the toughest
02:51 years, and now it's like this is a part of you
02:54 coming rising like a phoenix.
02:57 You know, it's almost like sometimes you
02:59 have to get through the bad stuff
03:02 to come out the other side.
03:04 It's actually very inspirational.
03:06 How has she been so far?
03:07 I know you guys had some rehearsals.
03:09 We've had two whole rehearsals.
03:11 And so far, it has been great.
03:14 Did she make you a sandwich yet?
03:16 A sandwich?
03:17 I'll make you a sandwich.
03:18 I'll bring you--
03:19 [LAUGHTER]
03:20 Yeah.
03:21 A drink?
03:22 Yes, every practice, yes.
03:23 Well, those are her two specialties,
03:25 drinks and sandwiches.
03:26 Drinks and sandwiches, yes.
03:27 Did Lisa Vanderpump give you any ballroom dancing advice?
03:31 Not yet.
03:33 She is, I think, overseas right now.
03:35 But I'm going to have to hit her up and see what kind of tips
03:38 she has for me.
03:40 What do you think will be harder for you,
03:43 the Scandal Ball or the Samba?
03:47 Honestly, I'm very nervous about the Samba.
03:50 Really?
03:50 I can't lie.
03:52 I feel like my feet might fall off.
03:55 Do you have any dance experience?
03:56 I danced and cheered in high school and college.
04:00 But that was 20 years ago.
04:04 So I don't know if that counts.
04:07 OK, OK.
04:08 We did at Access just speak to the one
04:10 we don't speak of, who is taking on special forces.
04:15 Do you-- Voldemort, better known as Voldemort.
04:18 Do you think he's tough enough for this?
04:22 I don't know.
04:24 Remains to be-- I don't know.
04:26 I'll be rooting for you.
04:27 I'm so excited.
04:28 You look amazing.
04:29 And I'm just such a fan.
04:31 I'm so happy to see you.
04:32 Thank you.
04:33 I'm just-- yeah, I'm really, really excited for this.
04:37 I'm really grateful.
04:37 And I already won.
04:38 I have the best partner.
04:39 So yeah.
04:41 I'm already thinking about the sandwich, to be honest with you.
04:43 [LAUGHTER]
04:45 I know we haven't really eaten yet.
04:46 [LAUGHTER]
04:47 Thank you, guys.
04:48 Good boy.
04:49 [MUSIC PLAYING]
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04:56 [MUSIC PLAYING]
04:59 (upbeat music)