Ariana Madix opens up about travel must-haves while filming 'Love Island USA'

Ariana Madix is heading back to Fiji for another season of Love Island USA—and she’s already packed.

As she prepares to host season 8 of the hit reality series, premiering June 2 at 9 p.m. EST, the 40-year-old reality star opened up about the travel essentials she always brings with her in an exclusive chat with People in 10.

“I pack a lot of workout stuff,” Madix said. “I’ve started bringing some of my own workout equipment, like resistance bands. Things like that.”

The Vanderpump Rules alum also makes room for vacation-ready fashion and on-set comfort pieces.

“I definitely bring some bathing suits,” she added. “I bring a lot of clothes that I can wear to set, so when I’m in glam I can be comfortable, and then I have something comfy to put on afterwards.”

But it’s her self-care staple that stands out most.

“I bring a ton of different sheet masks,” Madix said. “They’re easy to pack, they don’t weigh a lot, and then I feel nice and luxurious.”

Madix first joined Love Island USA as host in season 6 in 2024, after previously appearing as a guest in 2023. Since then, she says the experience has exceeded even her own expectations.

“Honestly, being the host of Love Island is something that I think I would’ve talked about in my living room with my friends as a dream job I would love to have,” she said earlier this month at Vulture’s Inaugural Reality Masterminds Celebration.

“When I got the job, I don’t know that I would have expected what happened with the show to happen,” she added, noting the series’ massive success across streaming.

Madix also shared that she encourages contestants to stay authentic while in the villa.

“Be yourself,” she said. “Because being yourself is what made the people who make the show fall in love with you, and that’s what’s gonna make the audience fall in love with you.”

Still, she admitted she struggles to keep her reactions hidden when drama unfolds.

“I try to keep a straight face, but… I’m not very good at keeping a poker face sometimes,” she said, adding that even producers sometimes embrace her expressive reactions.

Season 8 of Love Island USA returns to Fiji on June 2.