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Ariana Madix reflected on her decision to return to Vanderpump Rules for season 11 after the outbreak of “Scandoval” in March 2023 during an interview this week.

As she looked back on the moments that followed the reveal of Tom Sandoval‘s affair with their friend and co-star, Rachel “Raquel” Leviss, 30, spoke of her relationships with The Valley cast, and reacted to the controversial behavior of Jax Taylor, 45, and James Kennedy, 33, Ariana offered an update on the status of her and Tom’s shared home and more.

“I had to [return to Pump Rules],” Ariana said during a recent interview with Variety. “I was definitely not in a position where I could say no to work.”

Looking back at “Scandoval,” Ariana said it was “terrible” to go through as she admitted that the reality was “much, much darker” than the headlines portrayed. Because Ariana already had a mortgage on her home, she struggled to move out and get her own place and found it “frustrating” that it seemed like she was some sort of squatter on the show.

“As if it’s not hard enough, trying to uproot from what you thought was a house you’re going to live in for at least 10 years. Trying to pull everything out that you own, and try to organize — and then being told you’re some sort of loser,” she recalled. “That drove me insane.”

“[But] I think it’s important to show where I was at. And if somebody relates to that and they’ve also been there, then I feel like that’s worth it,” she noted.

Then, reflecting on the season 11 finale, which saw the Pump Rules cast calling her out for refusing to film with Sandoval, Ariana admitted to feeling redeemed in her thoughts about her co-stars.

“I was like, ‘Bro, I just proved the whole point! I’m glad. Show your true selves.’ … I was like, ‘That’s exactly what I’ve been saying! This whole thing is fake,’” she declared. 

Although Ariana was not going to allow herself to be filmed with her ex-boyfriend, she admitted that showcasing her genuine reaction to the betrayal and lack of support from her castmates was “really emotional.”

“It was really emotional, looking at the way they clipped everything together,” she explained.

Months after the show was fully recast for season 12, Ariana confirmed she was told ahead of time about the reboot and said, “Cool! Good luck.”

As for The Valley, Ariana revealed she didn’t watch the series — or “anything on Bravo” — and would never make a cameo. That said, she is friends with some of the cast, and she named Janet Caperna, 35, Kristen Doute, 42, and Jasmine Goode, 37, as the stars she’s closest to.

“But Janet and [Jason Caperna] as a couple, very close to them as well. We went to Scotland together,” she shared.

Throughout the second season of The Valley, Jax has been criticised for his treatment of estranged wife Brittany Cartwright, 36, which even he has admitted was abusive.

“What I know of it, it’s horrible. And I’m proud of Brittany for finding her voice and getting out of that,” Ariana said in response.

She also commented on James’ domestic violence arrest, saying it was “awful.”

“[I’m] proud of [Ally Lewber] that she’s out of that, and she’s thriving,” Ariana stated.

She then admitted that her and Tom’s house isn’t even on the market.

“It’s not just, put the house up for sale — there’s contents within it. There’s a lot of stuff that has to be worked out. It’s fine, though. I mean, the longer I own it, the more I have equity,” she reasoned. “For me, it’s more important that things get worked out the way they should than to just rush to sell.”

Also during the interview, Ariana spoke of the sandwich shop she owns with Katie Maloney, 38.

“Opening a restaurant is hard. And it comes with a whole set of things that make it hard … [But] we love our staff, Katie and I, and we love working together. We really share the same vision,” she gushed.

Vanderpump Rules season 12 is currently in production with its new cast.