How Ariana Madix turned Scandoval into a $1 MILLION goldmine: Branding experts reveal the secrets behind the Vanderpump Rules star's lucrative success - and how she can continue to cash in on her on-screen heartbreak
- Ariana, 37, could potentially rake in more than $1 million by the end of the year
- Experts have now given insights into what makes her so appealing to brands
- Most reality TV stars are 'everyday middle-class women' who are 'relatable'
Ariana Madix has become one of the most talked-about figures in reality TV as Vanderpump Rules' Scandoval continues to break the internet.
The 37-year-old is at the center of one of the most controversial cheating scandals to ever grip viewers after news broke that her boyfriend of nine years, Tom Sandoval, had been cheating on her with their costar and friend, 28-year-old Raquel Leviss.
And she revealed previously during a season 10 reunion episode that she had made $200,000 in merchandise sales for her and business partner Katie Maloney's yet-to-be-opened sandwich shop Something About Her.
Last month, branding experts and PR gurus told DailyMail.com that Ariana could rake in more than $1 million by the end of the year.
![Ariana Madix has become one of the most talked-about figures in reality TV as Vanderpump Rules's Scandoval continues to break the internet](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/19/19/71925321-12124573-Ariana_Madix_has_become_one_of_the_most_talked_about_figures_in_-a-97_1687199233842.jpg)
Ariana Madix has become one of the most talked-about figures in reality TV as Vanderpump Rules's Scandoval continues to break the internet
![Ariana features in an Uber One Instagram promo with Scheana Shay](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/19/19/71928251-12124573-Ariana_features_in_an_Uber_One_Instagram_promo_with_Scheana_Shay-a-98_1687199233846.jpg)
![Here Ariana promotes BIC razors, making a thinly veiled comparison to hair clogging up her shaving tool to her ex-boyfriend](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/19/19/71928233-12124573-Here_Ariana_promotes_BIC_razors_making_a_thinly_veiled_compariso-a-96_1687199233765.jpg)
Since the news of the scandal broke, it appears Ariana has able to turn her heartbreak into money-making opportunities, including deals with Uber One (left) and BIC razors (right)
So what do the public find endlessly appealing about the reality TV star?
Elma Beganovich, co-CEO of digital marketing agency Amra and Elma, told DailyMail.com that people found reality TV stars relatable.
'The appeal of reality TV show stars is that most are everyday, often middle class, American women and are more relatable than, for example, a Marvel superhero, who is impersonal,' she said.
'The reality TV show stars show their vulnerabilities and the raw reality of difficult everyday life decisions that many Americans face, [for example], drinking issues, martial issues, mental health issues, etc. In other words, they make everyday Americans feel better about themselves or at least not alone in their struggles.
'Hence, the American viewer being glued to the reality TV show - this makes it a perfect product placement opportunity for brands, especially for reality TV shows whose ratings are skyrocketing.
'Consumer brands' goal is to reach millions of eyeballs and what better way to do it than through a reality TV show that is blowing up the charts, so to speak.'
Branding expert Rachel McCord told DailyMail.com that she was 'thrilled' for Ariana and it was 'definitely her moment to capitalize on endorsement and sponsorship opportunities.'
'And we are all rooting for her! I love hearing about her merch sales increasing, and seeing her creative marketing strategies, with some of our favorites brands. And she deserves it. She is facing such a devastating situation,' the founder and CEO of The McCord List said.
![Ariana could potentially rake in more than $1 million by the end of the year. Pictured above in her role in Lifetime movie Buying Back My Daughter](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/16/23/71925247-12124573-Ariana_could_potentially_rake_in_more_than_1_million_by_the_end_-a-102_1686956269186.jpg)
Ariana could potentially rake in more than $1 million by the end of the year. Pictured above in her role in Lifetime movie Buying Back My Daughter
![Not only has she been fielding lucrative brand deals, but she's now appeared on the cover of Glamour magazine](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/19/19/71925255-12124573-Not_only_has_she_been_fielding_lucrative_brand_deals_but_she_s_n-a-95_1687199233749.jpg)
Not only has she been fielding lucrative brand deals, but she's now appeared on the cover of Glamour magazine
'But she's an inspiration, reminding us that no matter what lemons life hands you, get that revenge dress on and sip some lemonade right in front of your haters. This is her moment to leverage this into something bigger. But she has to leverage it fast. And I think she's doing it very well.'
Since the news of the scandal broke on March 3, it appears Ariana has able to turn her heartbreak into money-making opportunities, which some may say is the ultimate revenge.
Just perusing her Instagram feed where she has 1.8 million followers, she's had sponsored deals with Bloomingdale's, finance company SoFi, Uber One, BIC razors and Joyburst energy drink to name a few.
And some of these posts have tongue-in-cheek references to her dramatic breakup with 40-year-old Tom.
In her Bloomingdale's post she included the hashtag 'revenge dressing,' while her BIC razors ad made a thinly veiled comparison to hair clogging up her shaving tool to her ex-boyfriend.
And she looks to be living her best life in her partnership with Uber One as she spoofs costar Sheana Shay's song Good As Gold with the fellow Vanderpump Rules star and castmate Lala Kent.
And she also references 'only surrounding myself with ride-or-dies from now on' in her SoFi post.
After Scandoval blew up, Ariana was announced as a star in Lifetime movie Buying Back My Daughter, Deadline reported, and she was a guest of DailyMail.com's at the White House Correspondents' Dinner along with Lisa Vanderpump.
Most recently, she appeared on this month's cover of Glamour magazine where she spoke candidly about the cheating scandal.
![In March, it was revealed her boyfriend of nine years, Tom Sandoval (pictured with Ariana in 2019), had been cheating on her with their costar and friend, 28-year-old Raquel Leviss](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/19/19/71913657-12124573-In_March_it_was_revealed_her_boyfriend_of_nine_years_Tom_Sandova-a-99_1687199234080.jpg)
In March, it was revealed her boyfriend of nine years, Tom Sandoval (pictured with Ariana in 2019), had been cheating on her with their costar and friend, 28-year-old Raquel Leviss
![The trio are pictured here back in November 2022. Arguably Ariana has benefited the most from Scandoval](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/16/20/71914467-12124573-The_trio_are_pictured_here_back_in_November_2022_Arguably_Ariana-a-89_1686944007444.jpg)
The trio are pictured here back in November 2022. Arguably Ariana has benefited the most from Scandoval
There has also been reports she'll be joining the next season of Dancing With The Stars.
As for how much she is getting paid for access to her Instagram fans, Elma was unable to name an exact figure because it not only depended on the number of followers, 'but also their PR coverage.'
'For example, if the PR coverage of a celebrity exceeds 1 billion of unique monthly visitors, they can demand $100,000 per post easily. Also, it ultimately, falls to supply and demand,' she explained.
And Ariana is showing no signs of slowing down, explaining to Glamour recently: 'We have no generational wealth in our family.
'I want to make enough money to be able to take care of my mom and my brother and any other family members who may or may not need it. I never want to worry about it ever, ever, ever. So I will work as much as possible to not have to.'
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