Lisa Vanderpump Reveals How She Really Feels About Ariana's Career Success: "I Cheered Her On"
The Vanderpump Rules matriarch admitted that there were times when she thought Ariana Madix might "flounder."
Ariana Madix's days of bartending at SUR may be long behind her, but her former boss, Lisa Vanderpump, will always be in her corner.
The Vanderpump Rules matriarch recently caught up with Us Weekly, and she chatted about Ariana's recent career milestones — which span from a second run in Chicago on Broadway and a recent gig hosting Season 6 of Love Island USA (which also featured her hosting a reunion special).
"This was the greatest revenge," Lisa said, referring to how Ariana has progressed professionally since her 2023 breakup from longtime partner Tom Sandoval. "This is what I love for her, because often people flounder, and, for a moment there, I thought she was going to flounder."
As Lisa explained, she had been worried that Ariana would "become the victim" in her breakup. "But, then she came back and she didn't get mad. She just got even, and I love that. I really love that," she continued.
As Ariana continues to move from strength to strength in her career, Lisa is optimistic that the Something About Her co-owner will eventually move past any of her outstanding resentments towards Tom.
"I hope she can find a place in her life where she can, you know, let the anger go, and then I think you can really feel like you've moved on," the restauranteur continued. "But I think she's done really well, and I cheered her on every step of the way. I'm proud of what she's done, for sure."
How Ariana Madix feels about Lisa Vanderpump today
Back in March 2024, Ariana revealed if her positive feelings towards her former boss had changed at all after watching back moments from Vanderpump Rules Season 11.
"It's been good," Ariana said about her relationship with Lisa on the March 12 episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. "She came to see me at the Dancing with the Stars finale, which was super cool, and every time I see her, it's great."
Though Ariana was still in a good place with Lisa, she wasn't always thrilled with what the SUR owner was saying about her relationship with her ex on Season 11.
"When you watch the show, you see things that you're like, 'What the heck?'" Ariana continued on WWHL. "You know, so."
Find out where Ariana stands in her friendships with Vanderpump Rules castmates Scheana Shay, Katie Maloney, James Kennedy, and Tom Schwartz by watching the video at the top of this post.
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