Dancing with the Stars announces first celebrity contestant for season 32, Vanderpump Rules’ Ariana Madix
Vanderpump Rules star Ariana Madix has been announced as the first celebrity contestant for season 32 of Dancing with the Stars. The casting announcement was revealed on Good Morning America on Friday, July 7.
Speculation about Madix joining the show began earlier in the week after she was seen having lunch with judge Derek Hough at Something About Her, the sandwich shop she co-owns with Katie Maloney. The following day, a short teaser filmed inside the shop was shared by Good Morning America social accounts, confirming the appearance.
In the announcement clip, Derek teased the news with playful wordplay about being “mad for Madix,” and announced that Ariana would be joining the cast for the upcoming season. The lighthearted teaser finished with the pair celebrating the reveal and urging viewers to look forward to her dancing debut.
Ariana Madix, fresh off a cheating scandal
Madix’s casting follows intense public attention surrounding a widely reported cheating scandal involving her relationship with Tom Sandoval and his affair with Raquel Leviss. The controversy generated extensive media coverage and high viewer interest in Vanderpump Rules, prompting Bravo to film additional material and producing a highly watched, emotionally charged finale.
For viewers unfamiliar with the series, Vanderpump Rules follows restaurateur Lisa Vanderpump and the staff—both current and former—at SUR, a well-known West Hollywood establishment. The show often centers on interpersonal drama among its cast, which has made several cast members recognizable to a broader television audience.
Dancing with the Stars returns to ABC after streaming exclusively on Disney+
Dancing with the Stars will return to ABC for Season 32 this fall, marking its move back to the network after a year of exclusivity on Disney+. The series will continue to be available to streaming audiences via live broadcasts on Disney+ for fans who prefer the platform.
Season 32 will introduce a hosting change: former professional dancer Julianne Hough joins Alfonso Ribeiro as co-host, stepping in following Tyra Banks’ decision to depart after three seasons. The judging panel for the season will include Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli.
Longtime head judge Len Goodman announced at the end of season 31 that it would be his final season. Goodman later passed away in April, and his departure from the show left a notable gap in ballroom commentary and judging that the series has been adjusting to in subsequent seasons.
Ariana Madix’s participation brings a mix of high-profile reality TV recognition and recent controversy to the ballroom, a combination the show has historically leveraged to attract viewers. With the return to ABC, a refreshed hosting lineup and a familiar judging panel, Dancing with the Stars aims to recapture broad audience attention while offering longtime fans new twists and celebrity competitors from across entertainment and reality television.
As the season approaches, viewers can expect casting announcements to continue, along with promotional appearances and social media teasers. Madix’s entry will be closely watched by both fans of Vanderpump Rules and followers of the dancing competition as the season prepares to blend celebrity drama with competitive ballroom performance.