Temptation Island's Madelyn 'Juicy' Rusinyak On Authenticity In Front Of The Camera - Exclusive
If you consider yourself a fan of reality television — namely reality dating shows — we're going to guess that you've at least considered what it'd be like to compete on one yourself. While it's a pipe dream for some and just an exercise in frivolity for others, it's amusing to think what would happen if you were to find yourself on a beach surrounded by other romantic hopefuls. Competing on such a show probably won't happen for most of us, but for Madelyn "Juicy" Rusinyak, appearing on "Temptation Island" Season 4 became a reality, and her experience was anything but ordinary.
Rusinyak was encouraged to pursue a spot on "Temptation Island" by her parents, who watched the show themselves. After landing the reality dating series and going up against other hopeful women — essentially "tempting" men in committed relationships to either find love themselves or bolster the existing romance — Rusinyak made a name for herself as an out-loud, proud woman who didn't hold back. In an exclusive interview with "Juicy," we asked the "Temptation Island" star everything from her dating experience before the show to her plans for the future to her authenticity in front of the camera. What she told us will definitely leave you wanting more.
Madelyn embraced the Temptation Island environment
Those who've tuned into "Bachelor in Paradise" or "Love Island" know just how brutal the free-for-all dating scene can get, and for Madelyn "Juicy" Rusinyak, "Temptation Island" was no different. While in front of the camera, Rusinyak embraced the experience with everything she had — it was awkward at first, she told us, but definitely worth it.
"[It was] 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," Rusinyak told us, "like, 'Hey, let's go talk. Let's go talk somewhere else.'" It's a bold move that looks a lot easier on camera than it actually is in person. Rusinyak further explained that she just had to embrace the experience and accept "drinking the Kool-Aid," because "the whole thing was crazy."
"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,'" Rusinyak said. "I don't want to look fake. I'd rather look psycho and desperate than be fake."
Madelyn reflects on her authenticity compared to other cast members
Perhaps Madelyn "Juicy" Rusinyak's tactic of just putting it all out there worked in her favor, because when we asked her what her biggest takeaway from the show was, Rusinyak told us that she was glad she remained authentic when the cameras were rolling. "Always stay true to yourself," she reflected. "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."
The very notion of putting on a face for the men and the camera left Rusinyak wondering why some contestants put on a "fake personality," as it could lead male hopefuls down a false path. "He's not going to be in love with you. He's going to be in love with this façade you put on," Rusinyak said. She later reflected on her growth on the show, telling us that the experience enabled her to ask herself whether she really liked the men vying for her attention. So what does Rusinyak's love life look like now? We'll just have to wait and see.
You can catch new episodes of "Temptation Island" on USA on Wednesdays at 10:00 p.m. ET.