Ariana Madix’s love life has been one of the most talked-about storylines in reality TV history. From a nearly decade-long relationship with Vanderpump Rules co-star Tom Sandoval that ended in spectacular, headline-grabbing betrayal, to a thriving romance with fitness trainer Daniel Wai, Ariana’s journey through heartbreak and new love has captivated millions of fans worldwide. Here is everything you need to know about Ariana Madix’s ex-boyfriend Tom Sandoval and where her love life stands today in 2026.
Who Is Ariana Madix?
Ariana Madix, 40, is best known as a former cast member of Bravo’s Vanderpump Rules, the hit reality series set in the Los Angeles restaurant world of Lisa Vanderpump. Since leaving the show, she has expanded her career significantly — hosting Love Island USA, making her Broadway debut as Roxy Hart in Chicago, and cementing herself as one of reality television’s most beloved and respected personalities.
Ariana Madix and Tom Sandoval: A Nine-Year Relationship
How They Met
Sandoval was an original cast member of Vanderpump Rules, while viewers were first introduced to Madix during Season 2 of the show. Madix worked as a bartender at Lisa Vanderpump’s Beverly Hills restaurant before being transferred to her West Hollywood establishment.
Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix confirmed their relationship during the Season 2 reunion episode of Vanderpump Rules in February 2014. The couple then went Instagram official on their accounts.
Nine Years Together
What followed was nearly a decade of shared milestones documented on Bravo cameras. In Season 4, Ariana and Tom’s relationship went to the next level when they decided to move in together. Ariana agreed to settle into Sandoval’s West Hollywood apartment that he had previously shared with ex-girlfriend Kristen, but only on the condition they got rid of the old couch.
Tom and Ariana became homeowners in 2019 when they purchased their Los Angeles dream home. The couple also co-authored a book together and became dog parents, all while their relationship unfolded publicly on television.
Scandoval: The Affair That Broke the Internet
What Happened?
One year after the scandal first broke, the landscape of reality TV had been dramatically shifted. Despite being in a nearly decade-long relationship with Ariana Madix, Sandoval had engaged in a prolonged and secretive affair with their friend and co-star Raquel Leviss. The scandal erupted on March 1, 2023, when Ariana stumbled upon incriminating evidence — a personal video of Rachel on Sandoval’s phone during one of his band’s performances. Ariana wasted no time in ending their relationship.
On March 3, 2023, longtime partners Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix confirmed they broke up after nine years together. The term “Scandoval” — a mash-up of “scandal” and “Sandoval” — quickly became the defining cultural moment of the year.
The Fallout
Bravo swiftly deployed cameras to capture the fallout for Season 10, propelling Vanderpump Rules to new heights of popularity and earning it an Emmy nomination.
The split was made even more complicated by the couple’s shared property. Madix and Sandoval had originally purchased their shared property in 2019 for $2 million. Despite finding love with Daniel Wai in April 2023, Madix remained roommates with Sandoval in their house as they navigated their next moves. Madix ultimately purchased a new $1.6 million house in March 2024.
More than two years after their breakup, Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix are still on less than cordial terms, according to a March 2025 appearance Sandoval made on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.
Ariana Madix’s New Boyfriend: Who Is Daniel Wai?
Meeting After Scandoval
Ariana’s heartbreak did not last long before a new chapter began. It was in March 2023 that Ariana and Daniel met for the first time at a wedding in Mexico, introduced by mutual friends. In April 2023, paparazzi captured the couple kissing at Coachella, which confirmed their relationship publicly. After the toxic drama with her ex-partner, Ariana found Daniel’s entry in her life like a breath of fresh air.
Daniel Wai is a renowned fitness coach and personal trainer with an impressive following on Instagram. Based in New York City, he quickly became Ariana’s most enthusiastic supporter — showing up for her Broadway debut with flowers and becoming her go-to red carpet companion.
Going Public
In March 2024, weeks after her split proceedings with Tom, Ariana officially announced she was dating Daniel Wai. The two seemed to get close quickly, with Daniel making a few cameos in Season 11 of Vanderpump Rules.
Even Tom Sandoval acknowledged the new relationship: “He seems like a nice guy. I don’t really know him or them together, but from what I’ve seen, they seem happy. I wish them the best,” Sandoval told E! News.
Ariana and Daniel’s Relationship: Key Milestones
Broadway, Coachella, and Lisbon
Daniel proved to be deeply supportive from the start. He stepped out to support Ariana when she made her Broadway debut in Chicago, bringing her a bouquet to celebrate the major career milestone. Their official red carpet debut as a couple came a year later when the pair stepped out together at the iHeartRadio Music Awards in March 2025. They have since turned premieres, music festivals, and exclusive parties into their regular date nights.
As the clock struck midnight to start January 1, 2025, Ariana kissed Daniel Wai in Portugal. She shared a photo of their New Year’s Eve kiss on her Instagram Stories, tagging their location in the Bairro Alto neighborhood of Lisbon.
Long-Distance Love
While Ariana confirmed in May 2025 that she and Daniel were still together, she explained that the distance between Los Angeles and New York City prevents them from taking the next step of moving in together. “We might as well wait to talk about that,” she explained. Despite the long-distance dynamic, she gushed about his willingness to make it work: “We have phone dates and stuff where we’ll pick a recipe and we both order the ingredients and we make it together and then sit and eat together and watch shows.”
What She Says About Him
Ariana has described Wai as the “most beautiful person” with the “most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen.” At the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards in March, she declared that there was “something different” about him — a bold and meaningful statement for someone who had been so publicly burned before.
In January 2026, Ariana again praised her partner of nearly three years in a red carpet interview with E!, calling herself lucky every single day to be with him.
Engagement Rumors: Is Ariana Madix Getting Married?
As 2025 turned into 2026, engagement speculation began to swirl around the couple. Reddit users speculated about a potential engagement between Ariana and Daniel based on photos of her wearing a ring on her wedding finger. Despite the engagement rumors, Ariana and Daniel have kept their relationship relatively private, with Daniel not wanting to be in the spotlight like Ariana’s previous relationship.
In December 2024, after previously suggesting she wasn’t interested in getting married or having kids, Ariana admitted to Us Weekly that she was no longer completely opposed to the idea, and gushed over their relationship.
When asked about a suspicious ring she wore to the premiere of Wuthering Heights — which sparked headlines — Ariana offered a telling reaction at a Super Bowl LX event in February 2026: she tossed her head back and appeared to groan at the question, neither confirming nor denying the speculation.
Ariana and Daniel in 2026: Where Things Stand
In May 2026, Madix and Wai had one of their most glamorous outings yet: a Vulture event celebrating reality TV’s most influential stars. Wai, who is based in New York City, remains Madix’s biggest cheerleader and go-to red carpet date.
The couple have been going from strength to strength. Daniel has even confirmed plans to join Ariana in Fiji for a portion of her Love Island USA filming, though not the full duration: “I try and go for two weeks,” he said.
For Ariana Madix, the story of her ex-boyfriend Tom Sandoval and the scandal that rocked reality television has transformed into one of the most inspiring comeback stories of the decade — and her romance with Daniel Wai is only getting stronger with every passing chapter.
FAQ: Ariana Madix Ex Boyfriend
Q: Who is Ariana Madix’s ex-boyfriend? A: Ariana Madix’s most well-known ex-boyfriend is Tom Sandoval, her Vanderpump Rules co-star with whom she was in a relationship for nearly nine years, from 2014 until their split in March 2023.
Q: Why did Ariana Madix and Tom Sandoval break up? A: The couple broke up after Ariana discovered that Sandoval had been having a secret affair with their mutual friend and castmate Raquel (Rachel) Leviss. The scandal became known as “Scandoval.”
Q: Who is Ariana Madix dating now in 2026? A: Ariana Madix is currently dating Daniel Wai, a New York City-based personal trainer and fitness coach. The two have been together since early 2023 and continue to thrive in their long-distance relationship.
Q: Are Ariana Madix and Daniel Wai engaged? A: As of 2026, Ariana Madix and Daniel Wai are not officially confirmed as engaged. Engagement rumors have circulated based on ring sightings, but Ariana has neither confirmed nor denied a proposal.
Q: Did Tom Sandoval comment on Ariana’s new boyfriend? A: Yes. Tom Sandoval told E! News that Daniel Wai “seems like a nice guy” and that he wishes them both the best.
Q: Has Ariana Madix changed her views on marriage? A: Yes. Ariana previously said she wasn’t interested in marriage or having children, but in December 2024 she admitted to Us Weekly that she is no longer completely opposed to the idea.
Drop a comment below — are you rooting for Ariana and Daniel to get engaged in 2026, or do you think they’re perfect just the way they are? Let us know!