‘Vanderpump Rules’ Star Ariana Madix and Daniel Wai’s Relationship Timeline: From a Coachella Hookup to Casual Dates

Credit: Courtesy of Daniel Wai/Instagram

'Vanderpump Rules' Star Ariana Madix and Daniel Wai’s Relationship Timeline: From a Coachella Hookup to Casual Dates

Moving on! Ariana Madix has offered glimpses into her steamy connection with Daniel Wai following her split from Tom Sandoval. After nearly a decade of dating, Us Weekly confirmed in March 2023 that Madix and Sandoval parted ways due to his affair with their Vanderpump Rules costar Raquel Leviss. The TomTom co-owner later issued a public apology to Madix after initially only addressing the negative response his Los Angeles business received amid the fallout. "I want to first and foremost apologize to everyone I've hurt through this process. Most of all, I want to apologize to Ariana," he wrote via Instagram that same month. "I made mistakes, I was selfish and made reckless decisions that hurt somebody I love. No one deserves to feel that pain so traumatically and publicly. I can only imagine how devastating this has been for Ariana and everyone around us. I feel really horrible about that. My biggest regret is that I dishonored Ariana. I never meant to disappoint so many people, including our loving families and friends." Madix, for her part, took a brief social media break before publicly thanking the people who supported her. "Hi. where to begin? i want to express my most sincere gratitude for the outpouring of love and support i have received from friends, family, and people i’ve never even met in the last two weeks," she captioned an Instagram post in March 2023. "When i have felt like i couldn’t even stand, you all have given me the strength to continue and seen me through my darkest hours. to say i have been devastated and broken is an understatement. however, i know that i am not in this alone." The Florida native continued: "So many of my closest friends are also grieving this loss right now and reeling from this betrayal on so many levels. i am so f—king lucky to have the best support system in the world and i hope i can repay every single person for the love you have shown me. what doesn’t kill me better run. love, ariana." [jwplayer HLvoGTiZ-zhNYySv2] One month later, Madix attended Coachella with a group of friends, which included Wai. The pair sparked romance speculation after they posted several snaps of them holding hands and kissing at the musical festival. A source exclusively told Us at the time that Madix and the personal trainer were "just having fun" during the outing. "Ariana is not ready to commit to anything serious right now as she is still healing from the relationship that just ended with Tom," the insider explained, noting that the Bravo star is "not looking" for commitment after calling it quits with Sandoval. "Part of her healing process was going to have a good time at Coachella and that is what she did." Sandoval, for his part, wished his ex-girlfriend luck with her romantic life. “Yes, I love that,” he told TMZ in April 2023. “Yes, I do [want her to find love again]. I really do." As Madix continued to spend time with Wai, the fitness coach received the stamp of approval from several of her past and present Vanderpump Rules costars including Scheana Shay, Kristen Doute and Lala Kent. “She’s like, ‘Heartbreak, what? Like, I’m solid. I’m banging a fine-looking man,’” Kent said on her “Give Them Lala” podcast in April 2023. “She’s looking at [everything] like, ‘Look at my life. I’m happy.’ She said [to me], ‘Wow, I don’t have anxiety anymore. This is strange.’” Scroll down for a full breakdown of Madix and Wai's romance:

Credit: Courtesy of Daniel Wai/Instagram

April 2023

The pair initially sparked romance rumors after they hung out together at Coachella with a group of friends. Madix and Wai were seen packing on the PDA in the desert and shared a steamy kiss at the Los Angeles airport days later.

Credit: Courtesy of Daniel Wai/Instagram

April 2023

Amid Madix's public outings with Wai, a source exclusively told Us that the reality star was enjoying single life. "She is allowed to date whoever she wants and was having an amazing time at Coachella with Daniel," the insider shared. "She's definitely open to seeing where things go with Daniel, but at the same time, Ariana isn't totally ready to jump into a serious relationship."

Credit: Courtesy of Daniel Wai/Instagram

April 2023

After a social media user asked Wai to "take care" of the Bravo star, he replied, "Will do!" The New York native also wrote "yes" when another follower told him to "treat ariana like the queen she is."

Credit: Courtesy of Daniel Wai/Instagram

May 2023

The Fancy AF Cocktails coauthor visited Wai in New York one month after they went public with their romance. The twosome were photographed at a baseball game and getting cozy on several date nights.

Credit: Courtesy of Daniel Wai/Instagram

May 2023

Madix was by Wai's side as he celebrated his birthday with a shopping trip and a group dinner. The duo later packed on the PDA while strolling through New York City together. 

Credit: Courtesy of Daniel Wai/Instagram

May 2023

Madix was all smiles on a lunch date with Wai in New York City.

Credit: Courtesy of Daniel Wai/Instagram

May 2023

“I’ll just say that I am very happy and very satisfied,” Madix gushed on WWHL in May 2023 after being asked about the new man in her life.

That same month, the Fancy AF Cocktails coauthor recalled meeting Wai shortly after her split from Sandoval. "I met him at a wedding about ten days after all of this. And in no way, shape or form did I go into that thinking anything," she shared on Today. "I have just been taking things very, very slow and really enjoying myself. And it's just really lovely to interact with someone who is just so nice and kind and lovely and caring.”