Ariana Madix Explains Why She STILL Chooses To Live With Cheating Ex Tom Sandoval

"Vanderpump Rules" star Ariana Madix has revealed why she still lives in the same home with Tom Sandoval despite not being together anymore.

The reality star shared that she is currently prioritizing other things in her life and does not deem it fit to spend money at the moment on a new apartment.

Although they share the same space, Madix said she does her best to avoid interacting with Sandoval as she spends her time in her room.

Read below for more details.

In response to criticism from Bethenny Frankel, Madix has shared the reasons behind her choice to remain in the $2 million Los Angeles home that she once shared with her ex-boyfriend, Tom Sandoval.

The couple ended their nine-year relationship around five months ago, a split prompted by Madix's discovery of Sandoval's affair with her "Vanderpump Rules" co-star Raquel Leviss after perusing his phone messages.

Addressing her stance, Madix said that just because her relationship with Sandoval was over did not mean she would make hasty decisions that might negatively impact her.

She added that she was also tight on cash and had other bills as her priority rather than looking for a new place to live.

"A lot of people on the internet seem to think I'm rolling in money right now. I have a lot of places where that money has to go before I get [it]," Madix said on Friday's episode of the "Scheananigans with Scheana Shay" podcast.

For those curious about the current living situation between the two, Madix provided some insight into how it works. The reality star disclosed that she makes an effort to minimize any encounters with her ex-partner, spending most of her time in her "pretty decent setup."

"My room is kind of like my little apartment… I stay in my own little zone," the reality star said. "Yes, we're in the same house, but I don't have to think about [him.]"

Madix also revealed that she takes extra care to keep her door "locked just in case" to prevent Sandoval from wandering in without her permission.

Her strategy of keeping her distance also extends to their work environment, as she ensures that they don't film together on the set of "Vanderpump Rules."

"To make it very clear, he and I do not film together; I have not forgiven him; we are not cool; that has not changed at all," Madix said, per the Daily Mail.

Since splitting from Sandoval, Madix has found love in the arms of 29-year-old personal trainer Daniel Wai.

The two first met each other at the wedding of a mutual friend in Mexico in March. They quickly formed a connection, which transitioned into something deeper.

At the time, a source close to the reality star claimed that the duo were "having fun" and that Madix was happy with this new phase of her life.

"Ariana's been telling people in her circle that she's falling in love with him," the insider told People magazine. "It's happening faster than she thought, but he treats her well, they're having fun, and she's happy to be moving on to this next chapter with such an incredible guy."

Despite the relationship being long-distance, as Wai stays in New York while Madix lives in Los Angeles, the two aren't letting it get in the way of their love.

"They have a special bond," another source said. "Even though he lives in New York City, they've been able to make it work."

It comes as no surprise that during the podcast with Shay, Madix enthusiastically praised Wai, sharing that she's been having an amazing time since they first met.

She told her host that "He's always trying to help with things," including trivial tasks like contacting her credit card company.

"He's like, 'I'm gonna call them. I know you wanna do everything yourself, but I'm gonna just go ahead and do it,'" Madix told Shay.

Meanwhile, Shay, who is Madix's BFF, also had a lot to say about Wai. She shared that the personal trainer is always in a positive mood and that he tries to extend the same vibe to everyone else.

"I can't even picture this guy in a bad mood ever," Shay explained. "Like, he's just that person where you feel like, 'Are you always happy?' Because he always just has the best energy, he wants to make sure everyone else is having the best time."