Scandoval's Ariana Madix Headed To Broadway

By Emily Richardson | Celebrity | December 6, 2023 |

By Emily Richardson | Celebrity | December 6, 2023 |

Spoilers for Dancing with the Stars

Last night, Vanderpump Rules star Ariana Madix placed third in the Season 32 finale of Dancing with the Stars. Jason Mraz came second, and actress Xochitl Gomez walked foxtrotted away with the show’s coveted Mirrorball Trophy.

This morning, 38-year-old Ariana went on Live with Kelly and Mark, where she announced she’d been cast as Roxy Hart in Broadway’s Chicago. Ariana, who has a degree in theater, says getting the role is “the biggest dream come true.” Her eight-week run begins on January 29. Damn, Ariana’s had quite the year! She parlayed getting cheated on into countless magazine covers, Dancing with the Stars, and now a starring role on Broadway. When I got cheated on, all I got were a bunch of lousy trust issues. Sigh. Here’s Ariana on Live:

In case you’re thinking, “A reality star on Broadway? How gauche!”, think again. The current Chicago revival has been running on Broadway since 1996 (if it lasts 3,380 more shows, it’ll beat The Phantom of the Opera’s record). Part of the reason Chicago keeps getting butts in seats is stunt casting. In fact, Ariana is the fifth Bravolebrity to star in the show: Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast members Erika Jayne and Lisa Rinna both played Roxy and Real Housewives of Atlanta stars Nene Leakes and Kandi Burruss played Mama Morton.

Other famous Roxy Harts include Pam Anderson, Mel B, Christie Brinkley, Trading Spaces host Paige Davis, Melanie Griffith, Brandy, Ashlee Simpson, Brooke Shields, Angelica Ross, Michelle Williams (the Destiny’s Child one, not the actress one), Rumer Willis, Robin Givens, and actual Broadway legend Bebe Neuwirth.

When I saw Chicago on Broadway in 2006, Rita Wilson played Roxy. She was… fine. Did she land the big cartwheel at the end of the show? No. But that’s OK. Rita was a celebrity Roxy Hart; the only thing that mattered was her name on that marquee.