Ariana Madix Brings Dramatic Hair Transformations to ‘Love Island USA' Season Seven
Following the reality dating show's storied success last year, which reached 919.1 million minutes watched in just one week, the 39-year-old host returned to Fiji to host for a second time this June, shaking up the villa with grandiose hairstyles as the ultimate bombshell. From freshly cut fringe to mermaid waves and a gothic-inspired wig, Madix has already pulled off several transformations — and the show hasn't even met its halfway point yet.
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Celebrity hair architect Carl Bembridge is the man behind her looks, casting Madix as a modern-day vision of Brigitte Bardot and masterminding her dominatrix alter ego. Aside from Madix, Bembridge has collaborated with a list of stars, including Ariana Grande and 'Love Island' royalty Maura Higgins. He also famously styled Madix's hair last season, too.
'The difference this year is that I now know there are no limits and what I love most is creating a wow factor,' Bembridge told WWD. 'I'm always thinking, 'What can I do next now that that's ticked off the list?''
On his go-to style, Bembridge said: 'I love being super versatile — whether it's natural looks, high-glam wow moments, fashion-forward edge, or flirty '90s vibes. Hair can completely transform a look. It's the cherry on top of the cake in my eyes.'
Bembridge was close-lipped when asked about his favorite hair aesthetic from this season thus far, hinting plenty of good ones are still to come. 'What I can say is that we've got some really strong looks coming, very different from last year and also different from what we've done already,' he said. 'And me being me…I'm naturally building up to a wow finale. I've got two amazing ideas for that, and I can't decide between them. I honestly wish I could do both in one night. If I had my way, I would.'
Here, WWD looks at Madix's dramatic hair transformations on this season's 'Love Island USA.'
In honor of the highly anticipated recoupling at the end of episode 14, Madix added 'oomph' to her usual dirty blond tresses with a twisted updo and forehead fringe. The look was an ode to Brigitte Bardot with stringy pieces dangling around her face.
For what's already been deemed 'the most heartbreaking' episode in the show's history, Madix arrived in the villa in true demon slayer form. The host styled her hair in a high, slick-back with twisted pieces pinned in her black ponytail cuff for added dimension on top of her head. Her straightened, mile-long extensions trailed behind her.
After a dramatic second week in Fiji, Madix joined 'Love Island U.K.' star Eyal Booker on the 'Love Island USA Aftersun' episode to discuss the events that transpired. Madix met the occasion with mermaid waves and a Y2K-inspired side part. Messy braids were tied between her long extensions, creating the illusion of a Greek goddess.
Heads turned when Madix entered the villa in full dominatrix form, complete with a dark brown wig and R-rated accessories for the 'Leather and Lace Party' episode this season. Hairstylist Carl Bembridge leaned into the theme, helping the reality star cosplay as a savage ring leader in a dark brown wig from his collection.
'I considered asking the producers first,' he said of putting Madix in the wig. 'But I decided to ask for forgiveness rather than permission; it felt like a playful risk rather than a serious one. I mentioned it to Ariana, and she was totally up for it.'
Cue Madix's 'the road to love is never easy' tagline. The on-screen star mimicked the meaning in this well-known message with a long, braided ponytail dangling behind her back like a winding trail with an end just barely in sight. The extension tip brushed the back of her knees as she walked to meet the islanders in the garden.
Marking the end of week one, Madix guest-starred on 'Love Island USA Aftersun' to give her first impressions of all the islanders and their early connections. Her hair, curled and pulled back in a half-updo, was seemingly a metaphor for the ups and downs that came with the first installment of this season.
Madix opted for flat-ironed, filthy blond extensions to greet the islanders on night one. In certain lights, the dark brown hues in her hair looked to be the same metallic shade as her chainmail two-piece set.
Opening the villa for the first time since last summer, Madix styled her hair in a pile of tangled curls on the right side of her head. The aesthetic was as big as the weight of the episode, with extra volume added to her roots.
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