Ariana Madix Says She’ll ‘Do Whatever It Takes’ to Star in a Mamma Mia! Revival on Broadway (Exclusive)

“I will rhinestone costumes," the 'Vanderpump Rules' star jokes in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE

Ariana Madix poses at a photo call for Madix joining the cast of "Chicago" on Broadway at 48 Lounge on January 9, 2024 in New York City.
Ariana Madix in New York on Jan. 9, 2024. Photo:

Bruce Glikas/WireImage

Ariana Madix is ready for her next big Broadway moment.

The Vanderpump Rules star, 39, made a splash on the New York theater scene back in January when she starred as Roxie Hart in the Tony-winning revival of Chicago — a debut that went so well, she made an encore performance in the Kander & Ebb/Bob Fosse classic for the month of August.

But while discussing her partnership with DSW on a new holiday edit, Madix tells PEOPLE that she hopes to return to the boards someday in another musical: a revival of Mamma Mia!.

“My first show I ever saw on Broadway was Mamma Mia!, so, if Mamma Mia! is coming back to Broadway, I would love to be a part of it in any way, shape or form,” the Dancing with the Stars alum says.

She's not joking when she says "any way, shape or form." Madix jokes: "I will rhinestone costumes! I'll do whatever it takes!"

Ariana Madix DSW interview
Ariana Madix for DSW.

DSW

Mamma Mia! tells the story of a young bride-to-be as she attempts to figure out which of her mother’s former lovers is her father in the hours before her "I dos." 

The show, which exclusively features music from the iconic Swedish band ABBA, ran on Broadway from 2001 to 2015 and was nominated for five Tony Awards including best musical. The original cast was led by Louise Pitre as mom Donna and Tina Maddigan as daughter Sophie, and was directed by Phyllida Lloyd with a book by British playwright Tina Maddigan.

Multiple productions and tours have been staged over the years worldwide. The musical was also adapted into a star-studded movie in 2008, which featured Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried as the mother-daughter duo, along with Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, and Stellan Skarsgard as Donna's three former suitors. 

A sequel, Mammia Mia! Here We Go Again, was released in 2018. The film delved deeper into Donna’s backstory while featuring much of the original cast — with the addition of Cher as Donna’s mom. A third installment is reportedly in the works.

Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried Mamma Mia! - 2008
Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried in 2009's 'Mamma Mia!'.

Universal Pictures/Relativity Media/Littlestar/Playtone/Kobal/Shutterstock 

While many fans know Madix from her reality TV fame, the Love Island USA host's true passion has always been the performing arts.

She studied musical theater at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Fla, moving to New York City after graduation with hopes of working on Broadway. Between auditions, she learned to bartend — a skill that came in handy when she relocated to Los Angeles to build a résumé in Hollywood and got a job at a bar called SUR ["Sexy Unique Restaurant"], which would become the setting of Lisa Vanderpump's Real Housewives of Beverly Hills spinoff, Vanderpump Rules.

A decade of drama on Bravo and one "Scandoval" later, Madix found herself right back where she started — this time with the Broadway contract she once coveted.

"To say this is a fulfillment of a lifelong dream would be an understatement," she told PEOPLE at the time during an exclusive press call. "This is quite literally everything to me. It's all I've ever wanted. And to be here now, having this full-circle moment ... I feel so beyond grateful."

Ariana Madix on stage during the curtain call of "Chicago" On Broadway
Ariana Madix as Roxie Hart (L) and Amra-Faye Wright as Velma Kelly in 'Chicago' on Broadway.

Andrew H. Walker/Shutterstock

Most recently, Madix has been busy promoting her new DSW holiday edit, which features a selection of the star’s favorite DSW styles, including everything from cozy favorites to glamorous accessories.

Speaking with PEOPLE about the line, Madix stressed the importance of taking risks.

"Something that I am learning a little bit later in my womanhood that I didn't realize when I was younger is that, if you see something that you want to try, just try it," she said. "It sounds like a cliché, but it really is. You can wear anything that you want to wear. There's no rules. Don't worry ever about something being, 'flattering.' If you see it, you like it, wear it, and have fun, because life is short."

Ariana Madix DSW interview
Ariana Madix for DSW.

DSW

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As for her goals for 2025, Madix said she hopes to just "keep working."

“I'm so grateful to be able to do what I love and what I've always wanted to do my whole life, and be able to make a living doing it," Madix reflected.

“So, I would love to just keep doing that,” she added. “Of course, in that umbrella is film, TV and Broadway. Any level of theater — I enjoy it so much. So, if I could perform for the rest of my life, I would. Hopefully, I have that opportunity.”

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