Ariana Madix Addresses ‘Scandoval’ Drama In Emotional ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Debut

etcanada.com:

Ariana Madix is showing the world who she really is through dance! The “Vanderpump Rules” star took to the ballroom on Tuesday for the Season 32 premiere of “Dancing With the Stars”, where she delivered a performance alongside pro partner Pasha Pashkov.

The pair delivered a stunning routine set to a particularly appropriate track — Hailee Steinfeld’s “Love Myself”. Madix addressed the “Scandoval” drama head-on in the pre-taped segment before her dance, which she introduced by explaining, “My life has been a rollercoaster in the past year.” Madix recalled the scandal involving her ex-boyfriend and “VPR” co-star, Tom Sandoval, cheating on her with her close friend, Rachel Leviss, after nine years of dating, and how it all came to light as part of the show. “Everybody got to watch it all play out and my life blow up on television,” Madix shared. “But my scandal does not define me.” “It’s time for me to stand on my own two feet… feeling like you were a joke to your partner of nine years… is devastating, but I want to show other women that you don’t have to let that hold you back,” she added.

Before hitting the dance floor for Pashkov, Madix teased what she hoped to show fans watching her act, sharing, “This is going to be a more confident, fun and vibrant version of myself because I don’t need anybody else.

I love me.” Madix and Pashkov then came out as the last couple of the night and lit up the stage with an epic tango that easily put her near the front of the pack and made her one of the season’s potential frontrunners. “That was red hot!