Ariana Madix is still smitten.
On Monday, July 29, the Vanderpump Rules cast member took to social media to share a romantic post for Daniel Wai, the New York City-based fitness trainer she began dating in 2023. The Instagram was soundtracked by Kaytranada’s “Lover/Friend” instrumental and showed Daniel smiling ear-to-ear against a beautiful beachside backdrop.
“So close to getting to see my favorite smile in the whole world,” Ariana wrote in the post along with a smiling face with hearts emoji.
Daniel reshared the post on his Instagram along with the caption: “”Yey I see you later today!!!”
Ariana Madix to reunite with her boyfriend, Daniel Wai, in NYC
The message came fresh off Ariana’s hosting gig for Love Island USA Season 6, which required her to be in the South Pacific for nearly two months. Shortly before filming kicked off, Ariana and Daniel squeezed in a “mini” Fiji vacation, which they shared on Instagram. The couple posted several photos and videos of them taking a hike, enjoying a boat ride, and soaking up the sun.
Ariana is now gearing up to reunite with Daniel in the Big Apple, where she will reprise her role as Roxie Hart in the Broadway production of Chicago. The cocktail book author took on the part in early 2024 and will return to the stage from August 1-27.
Ariana spoke about her Broadway debut in a March interview with BravoTV.com.
“Chicago on Broadway is going amazingly. I love it so much,” she said. “Yeah, it’s my favorite thing ever. I’m obsessed with it, and I’m gonna chain myself to the building and never leave.”
Ariana Madix compares Broadway to Vanderpump Rules
Elsewhere in the interview, Ariana was asked which she found more difficult: stage acting or Vanderpump Rules.
“Oh my gosh, performing on Broadway… is like apples and oranges to filming Vanderpump Rules,” said ahead of the VPR Season 11 reunion. “I feel like Vanderpump is like – they’re both difficult in just like completely different ways. I don’t know how to say which one is more difficult.”
Ariana Madix responds to concerns over her relationship with Daniel Wai
Ariana announced her Chicago role in late 2023, less than a year after her tumultuous breakup with her VPR castmate Tom Sandoval. Following the split, Ariana and Daniel were introduced to each other at a friend’s wedding in Mexico and immediately hit it off. Although Ariana insisted she didn’t start dating Daniel right away, some of her castmates questioned if she was moving too fast.
Scheana Shay was among those who expressed concern over Ariana’s new romance and whether she had given herself enough time to process the Tom breakup.
“So it had only been a matter of weeks,” Scheana said on the Vanderpump Rules After Show, “and that’s where I worried for her because I’m like, God forbid this doesn’t work out… she’s going to have both of that coming down on her, and that’s going to hit her like a f-cking ton of bricks.’”
Ariana addressed the concerns in the same episode, saying she’ll be A-OK if the relationship doesn’t work out.
“Here’s the thing, he could literally turn out to be, which he’s not, a f-cking con artist,” Ariana said. “And guess what? I’ll be fine. I’ll take care of myself regardless.”
