Ariana Madix has spent the last few years proving she is far more than a reality star.
From commanding the dance floor on Dancing with the Stars to delivering unforgettable moments on Vanderpump Rules, hosting Love Island, and landing her first-ever Emmy nomination, its clear that the 41-year-old is a total powerhouse entertainer. Now, she is taking her center-stage era to the next level by making a triumphant return to the Great White Way, and she is very, very ready for it.
Beginning this Saturday (September 12) at the Circle in the Square Theatre, Madix officially steps into the spotlight as pop icon Connie Francis in the hit Broadway musical Just In Time. She joins Broadway favorite Jeremy Jordan — who stars as legendary crooner Bobby Darin — for a limited engagement through November.
“This is a very exciting chapter in my career and in my life. This role is everything,” Madix tells Celeb Secrets exclusively. “From the first time that I saw this show, I became obsessed with it. It became my new favorite show on Broadway. So to be able to be a part of it is so incredible.”
As she prepares to step into the shoes of Connie Francis, the DWTS finalist doesn’t plan on just filling a spot in an already-beloved production. She’s looking for the pieces of Connie that feel familiar, the ones that allow her to bring something personal to the performance. You’ll see the Ariana everyone knows and loves — but with a little more Connie sprinkled in.
“I really wanna, you know, go out for this role,” she told us. “Connie is witty, Connie is sassy, Connie is flirty and her music is incredible, and getting to perform her music is really amazing.”
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What makes this takeover extra special is the unique bond Madix shares with outgoing star Olivia Holt. In a wild twist of Broadway fate, both actresses have now tackled two of the same iconic stage roles back-to-back: Roxie Hart in Chicago and now Connie Francis in Just In Time. That shared experience created an instant sisterhood backstage during the transition.
“Olivia Holt has been so incredible—her performance in this part is amazing,” Madix reveals exclusively to Celeb Secrets on passing the Broadway torch. “I’m so lucky I’ve been able to see it and be inspired by it. I’ve been lucky to be able to trail her backstage and chat with her about not just the role, but our experiences. She’s so lovely, she’s the kindest person, she’s so talented, and maybe one day we’ll get to do something together.”
As she dove into character study alongside Holt’s guidance, Madix found an unexpected line of symmetry between Connie’s rise to fame and her own path in the spotlight. In particular, one scene struck a deep personal chord. “The most unexpectedly Ariana moment is in her conversation that she has with Bobby Darin right before she performs on The Ed Sullivan Show,” Madix reveals. “She talks about how she never wanted to sing ‘Who’s Sorry Now,’ and she only did the one take, but the one take became the song and brought her to all of these places, including The Ed Sullivan Show that she dreamt of before. I can really relate to her in that moment.”
Of course, not every part of Connie’s background mirrors her own. When looking at Connie’s complex family dynamics, Madix laughs about where their lives diverge. “What doesn’t feel like me is that she has a very, very strict father who kind of messes things up for her in a major way,” she notes, comparing it to her own upbringing. “My parents were kind of strict about grades, but I don’t know. I would’ve been much more rebellious if I had a dad like hers!”
True fans of Ariana will know that this isn’t her first rodeo under the theater lights. The 41-year-old’s widely lauded debut as Roxie Hart in Chicago proved she had the vocal and dance chops for eight shows a week. As she returns to the stage this fall, she reveals to Celeb Secrets that she is leaning heavily on that previous grind for this new role.
“I definitely think that my previous experience on Broadway in Chicago really helped with this role,” Madix explains. “Roxie has so many different layers and colors, and she spends a lot of time on stage doing a lot of things. I think that stamina, that dedication, that commitment has really helped me in this part as well.”
While fans see the dazzling, seamless finished product, Madix wants everyone to know just how intense and isolating the work can be behind closed doors. “A lot of people might not realize just how much rehearsal time is spent,” she explains, breaking down the sheer physical toll of mounting a show. “It’s not just memorizing lines and singing songs a few times, you know? It’s really breaking things down. It’s really all about taking care of yourself physically as well, because the endurance is super important when you’re doing eight shows a week.”
In fact, the cast assembly happens much later in the timeline than most theatergoers think. “When you are at that point in the rehearsal process… you work a lot by yourself,” Madix reveals. “I rehearsed with a lovely stage manager in the beginning. It wasn’t until a couple rehearsals in that other actors were brought in. I’ve been working with Matt a ton, who is one of Jeremy’s covers. It wasn’t until much later that I worked with Jeremy, and it wasn’t until last night that I rehearsed with the band! It happens fast.”
This new stage chapter tops off an already unbelievable year for Madix, including a historic Emmy nomination for Love Island that gave her a core memory with family. “The Emmy nomination was really amazing,” she beams. “For our show to even be recognized felt incredible. I felt honored to be able to represent our show and our 400-person group project, as it feels like so much when we’re in Fiji. My mom got to come with me to the Emmys, so that was really cool to be able to share that with her!”
As for what lies beyond November, Madix already has big plans brewing across all entertainment avenues. “I have a lot of dreams that I hope to bring to fruition in the scripted television space,” she hints. “More theater work as well! And I’m looking forward to also being able to take some time and go on a vacation.”
For now, all roads lead to the Circle in the Square Theatre. With its unique in-the-round setup, theatergoers won’t just be watching Madix from afar — they will be right in the action with her. “I’m excited for people to be in that theater space with me and with all of us,” Madix smiles, leaving fans with one final warning. “It is a space where we all definitely connect with each other, and I am going to be very close to many people. So I will be connecting with you, so you better be ready!”
You can see Ariana in Just In Time on Broadway beginning Saturday, September 12 through November. Tickets are available online here and at the Circle in the Square Theatre box office. Make sure to watch our full interview with her below, and don’t forget to let us know if you’re excited for Ariana’s exciting new role by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sliding into our DMs on Instagram at @celebsecrets.
