Who Is Ariana Madix’s Boyfriend Daniel Wai? Everything to Know (PHOTOS)
Get to know Vanderpump Rules cast member Ariana Madix's boyfriend Daniel Wai a little better from his career to his age!
If there's anything to say about Ariana Madix, it's that she's been positively thriving. Next to all of her major career moves (from hosting Love Island USA Season 6 to Broadway stardom in Chicago!), she has a great group of people surrounding her — including her boyfriend Daniel Wai.
But who is the man who stole Ariana's heart? Ahead is everything you need to know about Daniel, including his career, where he lives, and how the pair's love story began.
How did Ariana Madix meet Daniel Wai?
Ariana and Daniel met the old fashioned way: at a mutual friend's wedding.
"I met Dan at one of my oldest friends' weddings, literally 10, 11 days after everything frickin' blew up," revealed Ariana in a Season 11 episode of Vanderpump Rules. "He's a personal trainer and a bartender and he lives in New York so we're doing a little long distance thing."
"Aside from the fact that he had the nicest smile ever, at that same [wedding] I was like, 'That one guy is pretty hot.' [ ... ] All the girls were chatting about this serious, deep stuff, and the way that he would contribute to the conversation in a way that showed he was really listening, and not busting in and overpowering, it was really nice," explained Ariana in Season 11, Episode 14 when asked what she first saw in the New Yorker.
This particular event took place in Mexico. Soon after, in April 2023, they were spotted at Coachella.
She continued in a confessional interview.
"With Dan, he just has an incredible perspective on life that I was immediately impressed by. Over the course of having conversations I was just really drawn to his personality," she said. "It's almost like he knows me before knowing me. I feel like it's been all of these little moments that show that he is thinking of me or wanting to be with me. Things like that that make me smile."
Has Ariana Madix's boyfriend Daniel Wai appeared on Vanderpump Rules?
Well, yes! Though Daniel only made a few appearances on VPR, he was a fairly constant subject of conversation. "You've always got me. I'll cheer you on from the sidelines," Daniel told Ariana during a Season 11 episode of Vanderpump Rules when she called him to tell him she was nervous about a night out at TomTom in West Hollywood during the season. Cue fans' collective "awww."
During Season 11, Lala mentioned him while talking about how she's found it hard to trust people in the wake of all the relationship scandals their group has been through; she questioned his motives. Soon after, he appeared via Facetime.
Nevertheless, the fitness instructor seemed to win her (and everyone else!) over eventually. During Episode 15 of the same season, Daniel had a moment with Ariana's friends during the cast trip to San Francisco, where they naturally grilled him on his career, past, and everything else. He shared he was 40 years old, had never been married, and last dated someone five or six years prior, and thinks he wants kids. "Dan is handling this interrogation like a champ," said Lala. "He's not breaking a sweat."
A good sign — especially for a professional sweater.
What Does Daniel Wai Do for a Living?
All the details on Daniel Wai's Fitness Career
Dan works as a fitness coach and personal trainer for his own company: Daniel Wai Fitness. Prior to discovering his dream job, he was pursuing a career in consulting.
"I have been a trainer for the past decade and it has been one of the most fulfilling and humbling experiences," he writes in his website bio, noting that his interest in physical health and conditioning began when he was around 13 years old. "As a typical teenager, I was insecure with my size and strength and decided to incorporate exercise and physical fitness into my life and it has been a large part of my life ever since."
The fitness professional works with clients, both online and in real life at a studio on Manhattan's Lower East Side.
"Now that I feel I have found my passion and purpose I specialize in fitness and lifestyle changes catered to each client’s goals and needs," his bio adds. "Whether it's sport specific, overall fitness, or attaining a specific body build I enjoy helping those to achieve those goals in the most enjoyable and creative way possible. I want to continue to be able to help inspire others to be healthy, happy, and perform overall at a higher standard in life."
Daniel Wai also works as a bartender
When he's not working on his fitness, Daniel is also a professional behind the bar — just like his girlfriend. "I train seven days a week, and then I bartend Friday. I do double shifts on Saturday," he explained during Season 11, Episode 14 of VPR.
More Details on Daniel Wai's Career
According to Dan's website, he majored in computer science and a secondary degree in Business with a minor in math. After college, he began working as a consultant to Fortune 500 companies while pursuing his passion for fitness by earning his National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certified Personal Trainer credential.
He worked as both a consultant and a personal trainer for a year before quitting consulting to work full-time as a trainer, while also earning his NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist certification and later studying for his National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists certification.
Where does Daniel Wai live?
Daniel lives in New York — which is a great thing when you're dating a Broadway star. He has also taken fans inside the renovations he's doing on his NYC apartment.
When he's not working out or doing upgrades on his home, he's spending time with Ariana.
In August 2024, Ariana and Dan were able to step out for a date night in Manhattan. "Finally a Wednesday off," Daniel wrote over a video he took of Ariana stepping into the famous NYC restaurant, Aquavit. "Unreal dessert," he shared in another snap. "Unreal company!" According to his Instagram, the pair ended the evening with a nightcap at The Polo Bar.
When Ariana is home in Los Angeles, they're 2,427 miles apart (yes, she's looked).
Daniel Wai's family
During Season 11, Episode 1 of VPR, Ariana revealed that Daniel has two nephews after Scheana Shay said he seems like he's really good with kids.
"He hangs out with them and teaches them to do things they're not supposed to do," she joked.
How old is Daniel Wai? His age is...
According to an Instagram shoutout from his girlfriend, Dan's birthday is May 4. He turned 41 in 2024.
"Happy birthday to the most handsome man i know who always lets me have the first and last bite," wrote Ariana in the post.
