Vanderpump Rules star Katie Maloney hints at running SAH alone while Ariana Madix films Love Island USA

In the bustling world of culinary ventures and reality TV, Katie Maloney, from Vanderpump Rules, is navigating the complexities of managing their newly opened sandwich shop, Something About Her (SAH), single-handedly. 

This challenge comes as her business partner, Ariana Madix, takes on a thrilling role in Fiji as the host of Love Island USA Season 6. 

Since its grand opening in May 2024, SAH has quickly become a spot worth noting, but with Ariana's departure to Fiji, Katie finds herself at the helm alone.

During a candid discussion on the Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast aired on July 2, Katie opened up about the hurdles of running the shop in Ariana's absence. 

Despite the physical distance and a significant 19-hour time difference between Los Angeles and Fiji, Katie strives to keep Ariana updated on all aspects of the business. However, she admits that the separation makes it challenging to share the day-to-day joys and minor yet memorable events of running their business. 

"I try to keep her in the loop of everything that's going on," she shared. "But, it's hard sometimes because I want her to be around and experiencing everything, and the fun little things that I might forget to mention in our conversations. We both missed Diane Keaton, which sucked."

Missing out on spontaneous visits like Diane Keaton's to the shop highlights the emotional gap the duo experiences. Katie's daily efforts to connect with Ariana, however, showcases a partnership trying to bridge the distance through constant communication.

Vanderpump Rules star Katie Maloney balances business and personal life

Handling SAH mostly solo, Katie tries to balance her professional responsibilities with personal time, which she finds crucial for her well-being. 

On the podcast, she revealed that she has a structured routine that includes self-care activities like pilates—a session she notably missed Diane’s visit during. This balancing act is complicated by her involvement in other projects, including her role as a podcast co-host, which sometimes prevents her from visiting SAH daily.

Geographical distance plays another role in the logistical challenges Katie faces. Living in Valley Village and commuting to West Hollywood where SAH is located isn't a short trip. Katie humorously noted that the shop is "over the hill," making it impractical to visit on some hectic days. 

Meanwhile, Ariana is fully immersed in her role on Love Island, a gig she describes as a dream job for someone who has been a longtime fan of the show. 

In a recent interview with the Associated Press, Ariana shared her awe for the production scale of the show, emphasizing the rapid turnaround of episodes and the large crew involved. 

“I love watching how this show is made,” Ariana stated. “There’s a crew of maybe 400 people or so that work on the show to make this happen and to turn these episodes around almost in real-time. It is so impressive.”

Episodes of Vanderpump Rules stream on Peacock.