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Ariana Madix’s Slip-Up Causes Social Media Flood After Accidentally Revealing Her Special Nickname for Nic on ‘Love Island USA’!

Posted on July 2, 2025 - 3:47 am by

Ariana Madix, the charismatic host of Love Island USA, is making waves in Fiji as she returns for the show’s sizzling seventh season. The Vanderpump Rules star, who first took the hosting reins in season 6, is relishing her time in the tropical paradise, where filming feels more like a dream vacation than work. “It’s really fun,” Madix tells PEOPLE, describing her two-month stint in Oceania. “Even going to work doesn’t really feel like work.”

But hosting a reality show as dynamic as Love Island USA comes with its challenges—especially when you’re the only one constantly mingling with the Islanders while also keeping up with the episodes streaming on Peacock and engaging with fans online. For Madix, 40, this juggling act led to a hilarious slip-up that’s got fans buzzing.

During a recent episode, Madix let a viral nickname slip while introducing the iconic Casa Amor twist. As she stood before Nic Vansteenberghe and TJ, who were left without partners on the first day of Casa, she couldn’t help but blurt out, “Oh, no, not Mommy’s little meatball!” The quip, referencing Nic’s now-infamous “Mommy’s Little Meatball” T-shirt, left the 24-year-old visibly baffled. “He was like, ‘What?’” Madix recalls, laughing. “I had to remember, like, wait, he doesn’t know that we’ve seen his Mommy’s little meatball shirt!”

The nickname, born from Nic’s eye-catching bedtime attire, exploded on social media, with fans dubbing him “Mommy’s Little Meatball” after the episode aired. Madix’s accidental mention in the villa only amplified the meme’s viral reach, sparking a flood of reactions across platforms.

Nic, however, isn’t just the season’s meme king—he’s also behind one of its most unforgettable moments. Madix points to an early-season exchange that’s still making her chuckle: Nic’s iconic “Mommy? Mamacita” reaction when Huda Mustafa revealed she’s a mother to a 4-year-old daughter. The quip was so hilariously unexpected that it caught the attention of celebrities like Demi Lovato, Jennifer Lopez, and even Gordon Ramsay, cementing its place as the season’s most viral moment.

@people We couldn’t agree more, #ArianaMadix. 😂 This #LoveIslandUSA scene lives rent-free in our minds. #LoveIslandSeason7 #LoveIsland #LoveIslandEdit ♬ Feel Good – Tundra Beats

Beyond Nic’s antics, Madix is thrilled with how season 7’s Casa Amor twist shook things up. Unlike previous seasons, every Islander was declared single from the start, giving everyone—newcomers and originals alike—the freedom to couple up or face elimination. “I love that we gave the Casa people some agency,” Madix says, noting how the twist avoided painting anyone as the villain. “We really didn’t single anybody out, which I feel like so many people always want to do with the Casa people. I’m like, ‘Actually, no, you’re all coupled up.’”

As fans tune in, Madix has partnered with Instacart to elevate their Love Island USA watch parties, recommending her go-to snacks: Sancerre, Cheez-Its, and—surprisingly—pimple patches. With her infectious energy, accidental reveals, and knack for spotlighting the season’s wildest moments, Madix is proving she’s the perfect host to guide viewers through the drama, romance, and hilarity of Love Island USA season 7.