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The Daily Dish Vanderpump Rules

Ariana Madix's Childhood Photos Showcase Her Love of Horses and Florida Life

The Vanderpump Rules star shared some very cute throwback pictures from her childhood in the Sunshine State.

By Casey Suglia

Ariana Madix has a lot going on these days. But before she was on Dancing with the Starswriting her book, and opening her own sandwich shop with Katie Maloney, she was just a kid growing up in Melbourne, Florida.

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Since joining the cast of Vanderpump Rules in Season 2, viewers have watched as she fell in love with her ex-boyfriend, Tom Sandoval, and juggled various friendship dramas, all while working as a bartender at SUR. 

And these photos from Ariana's childhood — which she shared with Bravo — shows that her younger years were just as fun-filled. She swam, celebrated birthdays, competed with horses, and never missed the opportunity to take a sunny photo.

Take a look at the snapshots from her sunshine-filled life before Vanderpump Rules down below. 

Ariana Madix Swimming in a Pool

Ariana Madix swims in a pool as a child.

After being on Vanderpump Rules for 10 years, Ariana is used to being in front of the cameras.

But she was clearly comfortable in front of them before she joined the show — even while swimming.

Ariana Madix as a Brownie Scout

Ariana Madix smiles next to other students for a camera.

Ariana posed for the camera in this adorable snapshot, posing for the camera against the clear wall of an outdoor aquarium tank while her friends (and fellow Brownies) appear to be distracted by something in the water.

Ariana Madix and Her Horse

Ariana Madix holds on to a horse.

Ariana's longtime love of horses has been thoroughly documented, as she is a competitive equestrian and continued to ride horses well into her adulthood.

This photo of Ariana and her lovely looking horse shows that her love of animals started early. 

Ariana Madix Tubing

Ariana Madix sits on the beach in an inner tube.

Being born and raised in Florida means that Ariana has had plenty of time to have fun in the sun, just like she is doing in this photo of her on a body of water in an inner tube.

Ariana Madix shows off her rollerblades

Ariana Madix holds up a box of roller blades.

Ariana was born in 1985, which made her a '90's kid and allowed her to bear witness all of the very fun trends of that decade — including rollerblading. In this photo, Ariana looks absolutely ecstatic to be showing off her neon-hued blades. 

Ariana Madix at a Birthday Party

Ariana Madix pulls out candles from a birthday cake.

She is no stranger to throwing one heck of a birthday party, especially in old episodes of Vanderpump Rules (currently streaming on Peacock).

Clearly she has loved celebrating, especially as a kid — even if that meant lightly the candles as well as blowing them out.

Ariana Madix cheeses for the camera

Ariana Madix smiles as a child.

Her smile is too sweet in this super cute and simple snap.

Ariana Madix Winning an Equestrian Competition

Ariana Madix riding a horse.

It was more than just another day on the saddle for Ariana in this photo: The ribbon on her horse's bridle and the Florida-shaped plaque in her hand clear indicate the two won an event together.

Ariana Madix loved Barbie, too

Ariana Madix holding a Barbie Jeep.

Ariana has always been a Barbie girl, living in a Barbie world. Just look at her smile in this picture as she holds her doll's new pink-and-white "Sun Rider" jeep. (In a commercial for the product, Barbie lets Ken tag along — but she drives.)

Ariana Madix celebrates another birthday

Ariana Madix gets ready to blow out the candles on her birthday cake.

Ariana smiled widely for the camera in a photo from yet another birthday celebration — this time with a light blue cake with chocolate accents. 

Ariana Madix in a Stable with her Horse

Ariana Madix stands in a stable with her horse.

In this photo, a somewhat older Ariana peers at the person holding the camera from under her horse's neck, smiling while grabbing its reins. 

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