Ariana Madix is still trying to process the news that she just received her first Emmy nomination.
After Peacock’s Love Island USA After three seasons, Madix learned Wednesday morning that she had been nominated for best host of a reality show or reality television program. However, since she is currently filming the eighth season in Fiji, she learned about the nomination later than everyone else in America due to the time difference.
“I was fast asleep. It was 4:30 in the morning. And my phone in the room, not my cell phone, started ringing, and for an anxious person that’s terrible,” she says. Hollywood Reporter by call from Fiji on Wednesday afternoon. “So I ran over to answer the phone, worried that something bad had happened. And it was my team there to tell me about it and congratulate me, and we were all so excited on the phone.”
But Madix admits she was still half asleep during the first call, so she then “fell back to sleep, almost wondering if it had really just happened.”
Luckily for her, she wasn’t dreaming about it at all. And now that she’s had a few hours to think about it all, Madix says she’s “over the moon” about the nomination.
In the category of multi-level reality hosts Vanderpump Rules alum nominated alongside RuPaul Charles for award RuPaul’s Drag RaceAlan Cumming for TraitorsKristen Kish for Top Chef and Jeff Probst for Survivor.
Madix says TPP that it was a “really crazy, amazing, cool feeling” to see her name and photo next to the people she calls her TV heroes.
“I know people joke about how it’s just an honor to be nominated, but it’s true,” she says. “I’m extremely honored to be nominated, especially to be nominated in a category where there are people who are the best at what they do.”
Since joining Love Island USA Hosting its sixth season in 2023, Madix has played a huge role in helping the series become not only one of Peacock’s best original series, but also one of the most popular reality shows in the US.
She had previously spoken openly about her love for the franchise long before she was named as the host to receive her first Emmy nomination for hosting. Love Island USAMadix says it feels “special.”
“I think part of the reason people wanted to see me nominated in this category is that they would be able to see my love for the work and my love for the show reflected on screen. At least that’s what I hope,” she explains.
She talks about how Madix plans to celebrate this special moment in her career. TPP that she’s going to have sunset drinks with her team at a “beautiful beach bar” in Fiji.
“The hotel that this beach bar is in has some really amazing, beautiful people working there. The last time I was there, I promised them that we would do Zara Larsson’s ‘Lush Life’ dance together. And I think I’ll do it tonight,” she says with a laugh.
The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards will air live on September 14 at 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT on NBC and live on Peacock. The Creative Arts Emmy Awards will take place on September 5th and 6th. All 2026 Emmy nominations can be viewed here.