Ariana Madix Reveals the 1 Thing She Learned from Andy Cohen While Hosting Love Island USA Reunion (Exclusive)

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Ariana Madix tells VOCAL MEDIA what it was like to co-host the Love Island USA season 7 reunion with Andy Cohen after getting her start on Vanderpump Rules

She says her biggest takeaway from working together was seeing Cohen's "ability to take charge" as a host

She also shares how it feels to be the one asking questions after 10 seasons as a cast member of a reality show

Ariana Madix learned from the best!

After wrapping her second season hosting Love Island USA, the 40-year-old reality star is opening up about co-hosting the upcoming reunion special with Andy Cohen.

During an interview with VOCAL MEDIA at the opening of Shakespeare in the Park's Twelfth Night on Thursday, Aug. 21, Madix says that she was taking notes from Bravo mogul’s skills on set.

“I feel like throughout the day I learned a lot from him and his ability to take charge,” she shares. “And not so much necessarily take charge just with the islanders, but take charge just of what was going on. And I learned a little bit like, ‘Oh I'm allowed to do that,’ which is great.”

“We had a lot of fun together,” she gushes.

In the past, Madix has been on the flip side of things as a cast member on Vanderpump Rules for 10 seasons.

Thinking back to those reunions, which were hosted by Cohen, 57, the alum admits “sometimes I do feel bad” being the one who has to put others in the hot seat with difficult questions now.

“But I also feel like something I remind myself of is that it's a tough question, but it's also an opportunity for the islander to give — it's usually a question that the audience has been asking,” she explains. “So it's their moment, their opportunity to explain how they feel, how they felt in the moment. So it's a tough question and it's a hard subject sometimes, but it is something that allows them to express more deeply how they feel.”

Earlier this month, Cohen offered a behind-the-scenes look at Love Island USA’s season 7 reunion on his Instagram Stories.

“Guys, Love Island reunions are no joke," he said in a post from the studio. "We are on dinner break. It is 9:45. We’re going back in there soon."

"This reunion — it’s good," he teased, going on to weigh in on speculation that certain cast members, such as Huda Mustafa, did not attend. "And everybody’s here," he confirmed.

The Watch What Happens Live host also highlighted his full-circle moment working with Madix.

"I’m having so much fun with Ariana,” he said. “She’s amazing, and you know what? I like hosting a reunion with her. It’s really fun!"

He updated fans later that night, revealing that they finally wrapped at 11 p.m. after a long day.

Tensions are high in the trailer for the anticipated episode, which premieres on Monday, Aug. 25 on Peacock.

The short preview featured winners Amaya and Bryan, couples Nic and Olandria, Ace and Chelley, Pepe and Iris, Taylor and Clarke, and exes Chris and Huda. Many of the dumped Islanders also returned, including Belle-A, Jeremiah, Austin, TJ, Hannah, Charlie and Andreina.

The drama seems to be more intense than ever, with Hannah shedding tears, Chelley and Olandria calling out Huda for her bullying claims and Bryan addressing rumors he cheated on Amaya. The teaser ends with Madix announcing that they will play the unseen extended version of the heart rate challenge, which leads to a shocked reaction from the cast.

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The Love Island USA Season 7 reunion premieres Monday, Aug. 25 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on Peacock.