Ariana Madix Refutes Claims That On-Screen Heartbreak Has Made Her A Millionaire

Reality TV star Ariana Madix denies claims of becoming a millionaire despite the attention surrounding her breakup with Tom Sandoval and his affair with their "Vanderpump Rules" co-star Raquel Leviss. 

Despite her claim, Madix has secured endorsement deals, including collaborations with brands like Bloomingdale's, SoFi, Uber One, BIC razors, and Joyburst energy drink, incorporating playful references to her breakup in some posts.

Keep on reading to learn more.

According to Daily Mail, Ariana Madix has refuted claims suggesting that she has transformed her heartbreak from the 'Scandoval' incident into a millionaire's fortune. Madix, 37, gained significant attention in reality TV following the revelation that her longtime boyfriend, Tom Sandoval, had engaged in infidelity with their fellow cast member and friend, 28-year-old Raquel Leviss.

During a reunion episode of "Vanderpump Rules" season 10, Madix had disclosed earning $200,000 in merchandise sales for her yet-to-be-launched sandwich shop, Something About Her, which she co-owns with her business partner Katie Maloney. This disclosure prompted branding experts and PR professionals to speculate that Madix could surpass the million-dollar mark by year-end.

However, when she was spotted in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Madix responded to inquiries about her financial status with laughter, firmly stating, "No, I'm not a millionaire."

Elma Beganovich, co-CEO of the digital marketing agency Amra and Elma, recently spoke to the Daily Mail about the relatability factor of reality TV stars.

"The appeal of reality TV show stars is that most are every day, often middle-class, American women and are more relatable than, for example, a Marvel superhero, which is impersonal," Beganovich stated.

"The reality TV show stars show their vulnerabilities and the raw reality of difficult everyday life decisions that many Americans face, [for example], drinking, martial, mental health, etc. In other words, they make everyday Americans feel better about themselves or at least not alone in their struggles," she added.

Branding expert Rachel McCord also told the outlet that she was "thrilled" with Madix's current situation and acknowledged the opportunity for her to leverage endorsement and sponsorship ventures. 

"I love hearing about her merch sales increasing and her creative marketing strategies with some of our favorite brands." McCord said at the time, adding that Madix "deserves it. She is facing such a devastating situation."

Since the Sandoval affair came to light on March 3, Madix has managed to transform her heartbreak into lucrative opportunities, leading some to view it as the ultimate form of revenge.

A glance at her Instagram profile, where she boasts 1.8 million followers, reveals numerous sponsored collaborations with renowned brands such as Bloomingdale's, SoFi (a finance company), Uber One, BIC razors, and Joyburst energy drink, among others.

Interestingly, some posts contain playful references to her highly publicized breakup. In a post for Bloomingdale's, she incorporated the hashtag "revenge dressing." At the same time, her BIC razors ad subtly alluded to the annoyance of hair clogging the shaving tool, reminiscent of her ex-boyfriend.

In her partnership with Uber One, she appears to be relishing her newfound freedom, joining forces with her "Vanderpump Rules" co-star Sheana Shay to playfully parody Sheana's song "Good As Gold." Furthermore, her SoFi post hints at her intention to surround herself exclusively with loyal and supportive individuals moving forward.

Madix struggled to charge her electric car when she encountered the paparazzi, who further requested to learn more about her relationship with her "VPR" co-stars.

When asked if she might forgive Leviss, who went to a mental health facility due to the criticism she faced over the "Scandoval" affair, Madix was firm in her response. She coldly stated, per Daily Mail, "I don't know her anymore," without glancing up from her phone.

The "bravolebrity" also mentioned that she plans to have a quiet celebration for her upcoming 38th birthday. She also shared that Father's Day is a tough time since she unexpectedly lost her father in 2013.