Exclusive Interview
Ariana Madix Breaks Down Her Steamy ‘Will Trent’ Kiss & Sexy ‘Bodyguard’ Moment
[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for Will Trent Season 3 Episode 8 “Abigail B.”]
The worlds of Vanderpump Rules and Will Trent collided in the February 25 episode of the ABC drama series. Ariana Madix guest-starred as herself, albeit a “heightened version.” She crosses paths with Detective Ormewood (Jake McLaughlin), who picks up some extra security on the side.
The episode includes a cute line-dancing scene where she gets down with Ormewood (who rightfully said she was robbed of the Dancing with the Stars Mirrorball Trophy) and talks about her past relationship drama. After rescuing her (fictional) friend, Madix and Ormewood recreate a moment out of The Bodyguard where he heroically carries her to safety.
Warner Brothers / Everett Collection
“I thought that was such a cool reference and such a cool nod, and the way that they wrote this in, we pulled up the cover of the movie, the VHS, to really get that shot of when he’s [Kevin Costner] carrying Whitney [Houston],” Madix told Swooon. “We really wanted to get that in there and make sure that it was perfect. I love that that was something that they wanted to do and that they wanted to include, and it was so much fun to do.”
After so much built-up tension, Madix and Ormewood share a passionate kiss before she leaves. “Our last scene of the episode, that was our first scene that we shot, so we had to go zero to 100 right away,” Madix revealed.
Disney / Wilford Harewood
Yes, Madix and McLaughlin had to film their kissing scene first. “I actually think it worked out great because I was nervous about filming and having it be my first day on set,” the Love Island host explained. “The vibe of that scene being very we’ve gone through all this stuff, we’ve danced, we’ve laughed, we’ve fought, we’ve done all of these things, and then to have this very intimate moment where the vibe shifts… I think that was perfect because I think the real life emotions of being like, ‘Oh, it’s my first day,’ probably translate into romantic tension. Actually, they they planned things out perfectly.”
The Broadway star loved how “very chatty” McLaughlin was with her while she was on set. “If it’s too quiet, I start wondering, ‘Do people hate me? What’s going on?’ So being able to just chat and get to know each other, he really made it feel like it’s no big deal and we’re going to get through it. It’s going to be fun. It was awesome,” she said.
Madix encouraged Ormewood to “get back out there” in the dating world after splitting from his ex-wife. She knew just how to kickstart Ormewood’s single guy era — with a passionate makeout session. That steamy kiss at the end of the episode felt open-ended, and Madix hasn’t ruled out a return.
“I would certainly be open to it,” she said. “I definitely feel as though the scene left things with a bit of an ellipsis, as opposed to a period at the end of the sentence. They know where to find me.”
Will Trent, Season 3, Tuesdays, 8/7c, ABC
