Peacock's 'Love Island USA' Enlists Fan-Favorite 'Vanderpump Rules' Personality as Host

Since its 2019 debut, Love Island USA has undergone notable changes. Departing from its CBS origins, the hit reality series found a new home on the streaming service Peacock. With this shift to streaming, the show promises viewers and contestants a more daring platform, enabling even risqué antics compared to its cable predecessor.

Alongside the network transition, Love Island USA will feature a fresh face as its host. Actress Sarah Hyland, who took over hosting duties from comedian Arielle Vandenberg, will not be returning for the show's sixth season. Instead, the network has recruited a host with an established and sizable fan base.

Curious to know who will take the reins? Read on to uncover the new host of Love Island USA!

Breaking news emerged on March 29, 2024, revealing that Vanderpump Rules star Ariana Madix would take the helm as the new host of Love Island USA. Making the announcement via Instagram, the blonde beauty confirmed her new role in a video: "Talk about a bombshell! This summer, I'm trading rhinestone buckles for bikinis. I can't wait to stir up some trouble in paradise!"

Prior to Ariana's revelation, Sarah Hyland disclosed that she would bid farewell to the Peacock series after hosting it for the past two seasons. Sharing the news on her Instagram Story, she said, "Well, I just got a text. I'm disappointed the news had to break this way but it is in fact true that I will not be returning to the island this summer."

She continued, "I have committed to an exciting project, that will be announced soon, that conflicts directly with the shooting dates for Love Island USA. While I’m sad I can’t return, I hope to see lots of love this summer on Peacock this upcoming season."

Ariana, a devoted fan of the show, has made cameo appearances on the Season 5 of Love Island USA and on Love Island Games in the past. Her initial appearance on the series occurred a few months after #Scandoval, where she mentioned her ex Tom Sandoval's remark on the Bravo show about not having time "to watch 50 goddamn episodes of Love Island" as his excuse for not fully embracing the DWTS star's idea of "quality time."

She warned the Love Island USA contestants, stating, "Take it from me, it's important to know who you're dating or sharing a bed with. And if they're not the one for you, trust me, it's better to find out sooner rather than later."

Now that we know that Ariana will take Sarah's place, we can't help but wonder: Is Ariana only hosting Season 6, or is she the new permanent host of Love Island USA indefinitely?

In an April 2024 episode of the podcast Balancing Act with Kristen Doute and Luke Broderick, Ariana answered a fan question about whether or not she was now the permanent host.

“I don't know the answer to that question, but I am very very excited to be hosting. I mean, I have very very epic shoes to fill," Ariana answered. "You know, Sarah Hyland is so awesome, and she is so good, and I'm grateful that she has something else that she wants to do right now so that I can get a chance because it's my favorite show ever ever ever… I just hope i can do as good a job as everyone else has done previously.”

It seems like Ariana's future on the show as a host is still unclear, but could go either way depending on how Season 6 is received.

All five seasons of Love Island USA are now streaming on Peacock.