She was once a bartender at SUR, and now, she’s an Emmy nominee. Ariana Madix just landed her first Emmy nomination for her hosting role on Love Island USA, and the Bravoverse couldn’t be more proud. Who would have thought a Vanderpump Rules cheating scandal would have gotten us here? Here are the details on Ariana’s breakthrough nomination and the seriously steep competition she’s up against in her category.
Inside Ariana Madix’s Emmy breakthrough
Ariana first landed her Love Island hosting gig in the immediate aftermath of Scandoval. When her longtime boyfriend, Tom Sandoval, cheated on her with another member of the friend group, it turned into a national crisis, earned Pump Rules an Emmy nom, and catapulted Ariana into a whole new lane of stardom. Tom, on the other hand, is living a much different life.
Ariana took over hosting duties with Love Island USA Season 6, stepping in for actress Sarah Hyland. Since then, the Peacock dating series has exploded into a full-blown cultural phenomenon, and clearly, the academy has been paying attention.
The other nominees in the Outstanding Host category are Kristen Kish for Top Chef, Jeff Probst for Survivor, RuPaul for RuPaul’s Drag Race, and Alan Cumming for The Traitors. Alan has taken home the award for the past two years, ending RuPaul’s eight-year streak, so Ariana is walking into some serious competition. No pressure, though.
The ceremony takes place on Monday, September 14, giving her a few months to campaign, and we’re obviously already fantasizing about the look she’s going to deliver. In the meantime, she’s got important business to handle in Fiji.
As you’re probably well aware, Season 8 of Love Island USA is barreling toward its conclusion. Six couples are remaining, and there’s $100,000 up for grabs for one of them.
Love Island USA is streaming on Peacock. The finale airs Sunday, July 12.
TELL US – ARE YOU SURPRISED BY ARIANA’S EMMY NOMINATION? DO YOU THINK SHE’LL TAKE HOME THE AWARD?
