Madelyn 'Juicy' Russinyak On Normal Life Vs. Temptation Island And More - Exclusive Interview

We're going to set the scene — you're in a committed relationship, you're looking to take the next step, but there's a hint of doubt that the person you love might not be the one for you. How do you find out for sure? Sign up for a reality dating show and take the opportunity to mingle with some gorgeous singles in pursuit of relationship confirmation (or bust). If it sounds like a crazy, vulnerable, and unique environment, it's because it is, and it's the premise of USA's "Temptation Island," currently airing its fourth season. 

We had to learn more about this standalone dating show and all the details about its format, the contestants' experiences, and more, so we sat down with Madelyn "Juicy" Rusinyak, a hopeful single who is gracing the screen. What was her experience like on the show, what does her love life look like now, what is next for her? We had so many questions, and luckily for us (and you), Rusinyak had a ton of answers.

Rusinyak came to the "Temptation Island" screen at the suggestion of — wait for it — her parents! Her mom thought she'd be a great addition to the show, and instead of staying in her small hometown in Georgia, the yoga teacher took the plunge. Unlike many of us in early dating circles who try to play it on the down low and avoid the ever-pervasive double text, Rusinyak made it a priority to simply be herself and pursue relationships (and have fun) as she saw fit. 

We wanted to get a better sense of who Rusinyak is both in front of and behind the camera, and in an exclusive sit down interview, we picked her brain about her experience on the show, her life today, and what's next for the breakout star.

What were some of the challenges you faced early on in your "Temptation Island" experience?

It was very hard to get a word in, sometimes, because it was a lot of [supporting] characters trying to be a main character ... Especially at the mixer when we first met, it was very hard to get a word in. It was hard to really get to know these guys and let them get to know you, because it was like, "Okay, well they're also trying to get to know 11 other girls." It was tough.

[You] definitely [have] to put your confident foot forward, which isn't an easy thing to do all the time.

And not be uncomfortable to be like, "Hey, could I grab you for a conversation?" I never thought I would say that, but I caught myself saying that, like, "Hey, let's go talk. Let's go talk somewhere else."

"Can I steal you for a second?" That's the catch line?

I was like, "I did not just say that."

What was that self-awareness like? It seems you were having this, I don't want to say out of body [experience], but [needed to be] very aware of what you were doing.

Yeah. The whole thing was crazy. Me and my friend, Paige, we kept saying we're drinking the Kool-Aid, because like I said, I would watch TV and be like, "God, that's so dramatic," and then I was on the show and I was like, "I'm feeling all these things I've never felt before, and I don't want to look like a psycho on camera, but I also want to look like myself. I don't want to look fake. I'd rather look psycho and desperate than be fake."

You came to "Temptation Island" from your parents, which is so funny. Did you ever anticipate ever being on a reality dating show? Was that something that you've ever thought was a viable or realistic thing that would be in your future?

Yes and no. I've always wanted to do something like that and be in a dating pool with people from different states, because Georgia sucks for the most part. Very country. I definitely had imagined myself doing it, but actually doing it, I kept having to be like, "This is real life. This is not fake." Being in Maui, looking around every morning, [I said], "Wow, I can't believe I get to wake up to this." It was crazy.

I know you can't really give anything away, but in what ways has your love life been impacted by your time on the show? If you could reveal anything?

It was really hard for me to be empathic before. I was. I wasn't a cold-hearted person, but leaving, I became less cold-hearted, I'll say that.

That must have been an interesting path for you to experience.

For sure, and every single there had their own path, had their own journey, learned a lesson, which is hard to tell, because the show is centered around the couples. Every single there grew and I saw a change with everyone.

Well, it's a unique environment as well. I can only imagine how much, whether it be downtime or within different conversations, I'm sure you probably learned a lot about yourself throughout the process.

Right, and not having your phone. When we're all sitting in a group, normally we'd all be scrolling Twitter, Instagram, whatever. We had to sit around and actually talk to each other and I was like, "This is cool. We should do this more often."

What was that huge disconnect from technology like? Honestly, my phone lives with me.

Same. I was fine without the social media aspect. I was like, "This actually is good. I needed a break," but I felt FOMO. I felt left out because I knew all my friends were hanging out at home. I was like, "What are they doing now? Are they talking about me? Do they miss me? Who's texting me?"

That's so funny. I know. I feel like there's always that like, "I'm going to leave my phone for an hour and then I'll see who's messaged me when I get back," and it's no one, and I'm like, "Oh, okay."

Like, "Aw, darn it," and then [with] music, I was like, "Oh, I wonder what music came out," while I was away from my phone.

Yeah. It's that kind of disconnect. I feel like it's so ingrained in our daily lives.

I [missed] my mom the most. That was the hardest part, not being able to talk to my mom.

What was it like going through these changes and personal evolutions and not being to pick up the phone and call your mom?

It was good and bad. The social media break was awesome. I felt really confident. I wasn't like, "Oh I want that." I saved a lot of money. Scrolling through Instagram like, "I want that top. Oh, I need to do that pose. Can someone take pictures of me?" I wasn't worried about that. I was worried about having fun and being in the moment, getting to know everybody, so that was awesome, but I constantly worried [about] "What if my dogs are dead? What if my mom died?" I don't know why. That was a constant fear I had.

I get that, though. I'm also a worst case scenario.

"What if I get my phone back and no one's there?"

Everything's ended outside and we're stuck in Maui. That doesn't sound like the worst thing in the world, but –

Exactly, and everyone was like, "What's wrong with you?" I was like, "I don't know."

You briefly mentioned when we were talking about going into modeling, that representation has definitely gotten more vast. What was that like on the show? What was that like for you to be a part of a more diverse crowd of people?

I struggled with it a little bit, because I had gained ten pounds on the show, because I wasn't doing my daily routine. I was still eating, so towards the end, I was like, "I don't really like the way my body looks right now." But I just kept telling myself, confidence. I still love my body. It's fine. Who cares? Who really cares? As long as you have a good personality, who gives a s***?

Society makes it hard for women to improve their bodies in a way that is fulfilling, because if you're body confident, then you're asking for it, but if you're not body confident, what's wrong with you? It's like a lose-lose situation.

100%. I remember that first party with the whipped cream and stuff. There were a lot of girls who were like, "I'm not comfortable with this. This is trashy," and I was like, "I don't give a s***, I'm going to go have fun. I don't care."

What other opportunity in life is there ever going to be for you to put it all out on the table?

Not many. I was like, "F*** it." I had that mentality the whole time.

We've talked about it a little bit, but what was your biggest takeaway from being on the show?

My biggest takeaway would probably be always stay true to yourself. Be authentic, because there were some girls who I noticed — guys don't really notice things like this, but they would act differently around just us girls. And then they would act another way when the guys were around. So I was like, "Why put on this fake personality when this guy starts being into you? He's not going to be in love with you. He's going to be in love with this façade you put on. You're never doing that again." 

I've also — I wish I would've realized this before. I went into this thinking, "Are these guys going to like me?" I should have gone in being like, "Am I going to like them?" Even though I'm here for them, basically, they're here for me too.

I feel like it's a mid-20s revelation when you start to ask yourself, "Wait a minute, do I like them?"

Do I even like them?

"Why am I trying so hard when I should be asking myself is this someone that I want to invest my time and energy into?"

If I could've told myself that a year ago throughout college and high school –

Oh my God. I would've saved myself so much time.

Same. I would've never dated anyone probably.