Ariana Madix, star of the hit reality show Vanderpump Rules, values thoughtful gifts, especially those that prioritize safety. The 39-year-old reality TV personality recently shared with PEOPLE that one of her most cherished gifts was a snowboard helmet from her longtime friend and costar, Scheana Shay.
“Helmets are important,” Madix emphasized. “Everyone should be wearing helmets, whether they’re snowboarding, skiing, riding horses, or riding motorcycles.” This highlights a crucial safety message that resonates beyond the world of entertainment.
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The cast of Vanderpump Rules Season 11. From left to right: Katie Maloney, Ariana Madix, Tom Sandoval, Lisa Vanderpump, James Kennedy, Lala Kent, Tom Schwartz, and Scheana Shay.
Finding a properly fitted helmet can be a challenge for Madix. “I have a small head, so sometimes when you go get rentals for things, it’s hard. I have to try on kid-size helmets,” she explained. Shay’s gift was particularly thoughtful because it addressed this specific need. The pink helmet was not only stylish but also ensured Madix’s safety during their snow trip. “I was able to not only look cute because it’s pink, but be safe,” Madix shared.
The bond between Madix and Shay has been a cornerstone of Vanderpump Rules since its premiere in 2013. Their friendship began while working at Lisa Vanderpump’s renowned restaurant SUR, with Shay as a waitress and Madix as a bartender.
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Ariana Madix and Scheana Shay at an event in Los Angeles, California.
Their friendship has endured through eleven seasons of the show, navigating breakups, shifting group dynamics, and career evolutions beyond SUR. This enduring friendship exemplifies the strength and support found in genuine connections.
While Madix appreciates a thoughtful gift, she admits to struggling with her own gift-giving abilities. “Every time there’s gift-giving happening, I’m super stressed,” she confessed while discussing her recent holiday edit partnership with DSW. “I am not so good at it. I try and I get really lofty big ideas about gifts, and then I overthink and then if one part of it doesn’t work out I get really stressed,” she explained.
In contrast, her boyfriend, fitness influencer Daniel Wai, excels at gift-giving. Madix shared that she keeps a note folder on her phone to track Wai’s preferences, jotting down ideas whenever he mentions something he likes. “I have a little list there that I’ll be going off of and collecting things from,” she said. However, she acknowledges Wai’s superior gift-giving skills, stating, “He’s the gift-giver… He already knows what he wants to get.”
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Ariana Madix at her DSW Collection Dinner in Beverly Hills, California.
Madix and Wai’s relationship began in April 2023, following Madix’s highly publicized split from longtime boyfriend Tom Sandoval. Their connection blossomed quickly, with public appearances at Coachella and confirmations from sources that Madix was falling in love.
