Inside Ariana Madix’s first public appearance since ‘Scandoval’
Ariana Madix has officially returned to the spotlight.
The “Vanderpump Rules” star made her first public appearance since dumping Tom Sandoval amid his affair with Raquel Leviss.
Madix, 37, took the stage Saturday night at a wacky comedy show at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in Los Angeles, a venue just minutes away from her ex-boyfriend’s newest restaurant, Schwartz & Sandy’s Lounge.
An eyewitness tells Page Six that the reality star was met with “thunderous cheers and applause from the crowd” when she walked on stage at the live event, billed as “the only sandwich making gameshow on the planet.”
“From the smile on her face and the little dance she did while walking out on stage, she appeared a little surprised but super appreciative of all the fan support,” the insider said.
“And judging from the audience’s excitement for Ariana, it was evident that the majority of people showed up to see her.”
The eyewitness noted that Madix “looked carefree,” adding, “She seemed happy to have a fun night where there was absolutely no mention of ‘Scandoval.’”
We’re told the show, titled “Make That Sandwich,” started around 10:30 p.m. Madix was dressed in a brown tweed blazer and matching skirt, which she paired with a sparkly brown turtleneck and knee-high leather boots.
The insider noted that the crowd, comprised mostly of “Pump Rules” fans, seemed excited about the multiple cameras stationed around the small venue.
Comedian Connor Wood, better known on social media as “Fibula,” was also “nervous” to meet the newly single Madix, as evidenced in clips obtained by Page Six.
“You weren’t supposed to say that. I played it really cool backstage,” Wood said facetiously when host Lindsay Ames called him out.
“I totally outed you, but you know what? It is really adorable,” she replied.
“What do we think about moving forward with the show?” he asked in an attempt to change the topic.
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“After we talk about how you were a little bit nervous meeting Ariana,” Ames continued to joke. Wood then insisted that “we covered that” already, to which Madix responded, “You’re making me nervous.”
As Page Six previously reported, Madix was watching 40-year-old Sandoval’s cover band, Tom Sandoval & The Most Extras, on March 1 when she discovered a sexually explicit video of Leviss, 28, on his phone. It then came to light that the pair had been having a secret affair since at least July 2022.
Madix dumped Sandoval and put the drama behind her by escaping to Mexico, where she was seen smiling, dancing and partying in the city of Oaxaca for celebrity chef Michael Jenkins’ wedding to Lauren Basco.
Photos showed the Bravolebrity wearing a stunning pink-and-green “revenge dress” that’s sold at “Real Housewives of New Jersey” star Melissa Gorga’s Envy store. The ombré style gown is available to shop on the boutique’s website for $550.
“Vanderpump Rules” airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo.