Ariana Madix’s Must-Have Products | POPSUGAR Smart Living

Last year was a roller coaster for Ariana Madix, to put it lightly. The “Vanderpump Rules” star famously ended her 10-year relationship after discovering a months-long affair between her then-boyfriend and best friend. While the fallout literally changed everything, Madix is much more than another reality TV fixture recovering from a messy breakup. In fact, her future has never looked brighter.

On the seventh episode of season 11 of “Vanderpump Rules,” which was filmed in the spring/summer of 2023, astrologer and castmate Ally Lewber said that by March 2024, Madix would be in a much better place. And she is. She was cast in “Dancing With the Stars” season 32, she starred in a Broadway show, and she has countless brand deals, including Duracell batteries, BIC razors, and a new shoe collection with DSW.

Her current emotional state is a bit more complicated. “I think it’s going to take me still a lot more time to be able to reflect and kind of truly process the last year of my life,” Madix tells PS. However, she still thinks Lewber’s reading was spot on. “Ally can read a chart, and she very accurately has predicted the future. She’s so smart, she’s so good at it,” says Madix, before adding: “I think that she was right.”

To kick-start her self-reflection and healing journey, Madix wrote the cocktail recipe book, “Single AF Cocktails,” and she calls it her version of a breakup album. “I’m always so impressed by people who can turn their life experiences or emotions into music — and maybe one day I’ll be able to do that,” she says, noting that she’s a big fan of Beyoncé, Kelly Clarkson, and Kacey Musgraves. “But cocktails are my creative medium. I wanted to have this, my breakup album, told through cocktails and photography.”

Madix’s “Single AF Cocktails” book includes cocktail creations for various life experiences. Trying to get over a past lover? Whip up the Rat Poison cocktail, which has four types of whiskey for a delightfully bitter taste that drowns out any lingering feelings. The Revenge Dress cocktail, a nod to Madix’s spectacular look from the season 10 reunion, is a spicy Negroni for when you’re ready to step out looking hotter than ever. The Lemonade cocktail, inspired by Beyoncé’s album of the same name, is all about a fresh start; mixing vodka, gin, lemon juice, and club soda, the refreshing cocktail is what Madix envisions Roxie Hart would drink.

While writing her cocktail recipe book, Madix also made time to waltz her way to the finale of “Dancing With the Stars,” where she says she learned a valuable lesson in partnership and trust. “I had not done partner dancing before, and my partner being such an incredible ballroom dancer and knowing how to do this partner-style dance, was able to show me just how that works. There’s a trust there, and there’s knowing that you’re safe.” After finishing in third place on the show, the Los Angeles native made her Broadway debut in “Chicago” and performed her heart out as Roxie Hart.

Despite having a résumé that most reality stars can only dream of, Madix says she’s actually just getting started. “There’s so many things that I want to do,” she reveals. “I would love to come back to Broadway, whether in ‘Chicago’ again or at another show. I love being on stage. It’s so much fun every night, and who knows what the future has in store? I am open and ready, and excited to see what happens.” Next on her agenda? She’s heading to Fiji for her new hosting gig on “Love Island USA.”

Ahead of her big season six hosting debut, Madix shared her current must-have products with PS, including her go-to slides, her favorite weighted blanket, and more.