Ariana Madix Reveals What ‘Love Island: Beyond the Villa’ Stars Should Never Do

This big shift in format means the cast will no longer be playing a gameshow in the campy environment of the villa, where the conditions are controlled and there aren’t real-world stakes. Instead, the season six stars will be showing who they are outside of that curated bubble — and that added layer of vulnerability is what will make or break the show. For fans to stay invested, the cast needs to be as raw and real as they were on Love Island.

While there’s no set air date for Love Island: Beyond the Villa, the next season of Love Island USA is mere days away. Will they be able to capture the same magic we saw in season six? We’ll find out on June 3.

If you’re missing the cast of Love Island USA season six, you’re not alone, and you won’t have to miss them much longer. Several familiar faces from last season are set to return to our screens this summer in a hotly-anticipated spin-off called Love Island: Beyond the Villa. While Love Island USA host Ariana Madix will not be a part of the new show, she has graciously shared some sage advice with the cast as they prepare for this next chapter.

Ariana Madix has spent the last decade of her life on reality television, starring on nine seasons of Bravo’s Vanderpump Rules. After her headline grabbing on-screen breakup with costar and longtime boyfriend Tom Sandoval, Ariana was catapulted to a new level of fame, becoming one of the most prominent reality stars in the world nearly overnight. Though she had previously been a supporting character, her powerful post-breakup presence on Vanderpump Rules made her the star of the show and earned her several awards. She has firmly cemented herself as a reality TV icon. With that kind of experience under her belt, there is no one better suited than Ariana to offer islanders words of wisdom as they get ready to step into the spotlight of their own show.

Ariana Knows Best

Last week, Ariana stopped by Decider to discuss all things Love Island. When asked if she had any advice to extend to the stars of Beyond the Villa, Ariana shared a suggestion that, though simple, is essential in making compelling television: “You can’t go wrong if you’re just being yourself.” That’s exactly what made the season six cast so beloved; viewers grew fond of their authenticity, their unfiltered personalities, and their genuine relationships. That same authenticity is what fans are hoping to see more of in the spinoff. If the islanders try to manufacture drama or play up artificial characters, the magic that made them fan favorites might be lost.

“I think that as long as they continue to remain themselves — they were so good at just being so true to themselves last season on Love Island. This is obviously a different setting. It’s more real-world. It’s just a different environment. But I think as long as they stick to that and be really themselves, I feel like that’s why we all fell in love with them in the first place,” Ariana shared with Decider.

‘Beyond the Villa’ Will Offer Something Different

This is advice any aspiring reality television star would be wise to follow, but for the cast of Beyond the Villa, it’s particularly pertinent. This spin-off will be a major departure from their first foray into reality TV. Love Island is a tightly structured competition dating series; islanders live together in a secluded villa, participate in games and challenges, and are regularly asked to couple (or re-couple) up. Narratives are heavily guided by producers, and the cast turns over frequently based on votes and eliminations. Though it’s unscripted, a show like Love Island is heavily planned and follows a clear framework — it plays out almost like a sporting event.

Beyond the Villa, on the other hand, is expected to offer something far more organic. Rather than competing in a game of attrition for love and a cash prize, the former islanders will be out in the real world living their actual lives — navigating love, friendships, careers, and newfound fame — and cameras will capture it all unfolding naturally. This show will adopt a documentary-style format, meaning it will be far more like Vanderpump Rules than Love Island, which again makes Ariana the perfect person to offer guidance and expertise. Let’s hope the islanders take her advice to heart.

Authenticity is Key on ‘Beyond the Villa’

This big shift in format means the cast will no longer be playing a gameshow in the campy environment of the villa, where the conditions are controlled and there aren’t real-world stakes. Instead, the season six stars will be showing who they are outside of that curated bubble — and that added layer of vulnerability is what will make or break the show. For fans to stay invested, the cast needs to be as raw and real as they were on Love Island.

While there’s no set air date for Love Island: Beyond the Villa, the next season of Love Island USA is mere days away. Will they be able to capture the same magic we saw in season six? We’ll find out on June 3.