Ariana Madix Spills the Real Tea on ‘Love Island USA’ Season 7: “I Wanted to Shake an Islander!”

With Love Island USA Season 7 heating up in all the wrong—and right—ways, host Ariana Madix is pulling back the curtain on the villa’s wildest moments, eyebrow-raising connections, and her own struggle to remain neutral in the chaos.

In a candid behind-the-scenes reveal, the Vanderpump Rules alum opened up about the one moment she nearly broke host protocol to intervene: Olandria’s controversial decision during the Casa Amor recoupling.

“I just wanted to be like, ‘Babe, you’re better than him!’” Madix admitted.

Olandria had written Taylor’s name on her card, despite his clear lack of commitment, leaving fans stunned—and Ariana visibly exasperated. “Even after he was like, ‘Maybe I would still want to get to know Olandria,’ I’m like, can you not?” she said, adding, “Have you seen yourself in a mirror? She’s a goddess!”

The bubbling tension between Olandria and Taylor has become a centerpiece for fan debates, especially after the infamous foot-licking incident between Olandria and Nick—an encounter that Madix described as nothing short of electric.

“The chemistry and soul ties were palpable through the screen,” Ariana confessed. “When they said they didn’t have sparks, I was like, are you sure? Are you human?”

As for the passionate kissing this season—particularly the noticeable trend of “leading with tongue”—Madix offered a generational theory.

“I’m not really sure why everyone’s doing that,” she laughed. “Maybe it’s a Gen Z thing? I’m personally a tongue-second person.”

She named Huda and Alania as the unofficial “queens” of this season’s aggressive lip-locking. And it’s not just the kisses that are getting attention—viewers are zeroing in on connections they believe are happening off-camera.

“There’s this whole conspiracy that Ace is running the show like a game,” Ariana noted. “I mean, any Islander might try to control the situation out of fear or insecurity. But here’s the truth: the audience is smart. They can spot realness from a mile away.”

That sense of authenticity, Madix believes, is what keeps the show’s integrity intact. “You can try to play a game, but if it’s not genuine, America will vote for someone else. That’s the beauty of it.”

Asked whether she has a favorite couple, Madix didn’t hesitate to praise Amaya and Zach.

“I love their quirky little moments—the hula hooping, talking about cats. It’s been so fun watching them together.”

She also expressed admiration for Sierra, whom she described as “so hot,” with “the best style” and a magnetic, down-to-earth presence that draws both Islanders and viewers in.

When it comes to dream match-ups that haven’t quite materialized, Madix floated the idea of a surprise pairing.

“I would love to see Shelly and Sierra together, to be honest. Shelly seems stuck in love triangles and indecision. Maybe that means her person isn’t here—or maybe it’s Sierra.”

Her role as host has given her a front-row seat to both the heartbreak and the hilarity, including Amaya’s full-circle transformation.

“Last time I saw her, there was a lot of crying,” she said. “Now she’s running around with cards and joy—it’s amazing. As she said, she’s an emotional gangster. She feels deeply.”

Beyond the villa drama, Love Island USA fans have been digging into Madix’s own reality TV past, unearthing old audio clips and viral moments from her earlier career.

“Some of those are fun, some were from really hard times,” she admitted. “But hey—have fun with it. I never said I was perfect. At least I’m pretty, a little funny, and my own best friend.”

With the season still in full swing, Ariana Madix’s insights offer fans a sharper lens through which to decode the drama, passion, and mind games happening on-screen. Whether she’s marveling at a spontaneous three-way kiss or silently rooting for an underdog romance, her commentary proves she’s more than just a host—she’s the beating heart of Love Island USA this season.

And for those wondering, yes—she was feeling the fantasy on kissing challenge night.

“I was in full glam and very tan. I loved it. But day to day? I’d look like the Crypt Keeper,” she laughed.

In other words, don’t expect Madix to hold back—on style or opinions—anytime soon.