Ariana Madix, the charismatic host of Peacock’s reality dating series Love Island USA, has been honored with her first Emmy nomination in the Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program category. The television personality, who is currently in Fiji hosting the show’s eighth season, expressed her heartfelt gratitude and excitement over the recognition from the Television Academy.
‘I’m so thrilled and excited,’ Madix exclaimed. ‘I mean, almost a little bit shocked just because when you look at the names of the categories — these are juggernauts of hosting when it comes to reality TV. So, to be up there next to them is crazy and amazing, and I’m so excited.’
Madix is indeed among an elite group of reality TV hosts, including RuPaul Charles, Alan Cumming, Kristen Kish, and Jeff Probst, who have also been nominated in the same category. This prestigious nomination marks a full-circle moment for Madix, as she was a fan of the dating series years before ever hosting it.
‘I hope my love for my role on the show and my love for the show itself comes across because I think that if it does — it’s so important,’ Madix said. ‘I really think it is such an amazing show and I’m so lucky to be a part of it and to be recognized for that is incredible.’
Madix revealed that she received the news of her nomination while still asleep in Fiji, where she was awoken by her team’s phone call in the middle of the night. The television personality was overwhelmed with congratulatory messages from her friends, family, and boyfriend, Daniel Wai, including a heartfelt message from her mother, whom she shares a very close relationship.
‘We have this thing from when I was a kid. She would call me her awesome girl,’ Madix shared. ‘And when she texted me, ‘Congratulations,’ she referred to me as her awesome girl, which always makes me tear up a little bit because it’s kind of our thing.’
As an Emmy-nominated host, Madix will now be introduced as such, which she says makes her ‘giddy.’ She expressed her gratitude and humility over the nomination, stating that it’s a ‘dream come true’ to be recognized among some of TV’s greatest hosts.
When asked about her chances of winning, Madix remained modest, saying, ‘It feels like a big of a David and Goliath situation with this amazing category, but I think seeing the packages and seeing them say all of the names, and my name being one of those names — I think that is gonna feel like the best win ever in that moment.’
To quote RuPaul, who has won this category so many times, ‘You’re a winner, baby!’ Madix is indeed a winner, and her nomination is a testament to her hard work and dedication to her craft.
