Madisson Hausburg has had an unconventional journey to find love, to say the least. The 26-year-old is a leading cast member on MTV’s Siesta Key, a reality show that follows men and women who spend the summer together in Siesta Key, a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Sarasota, Florida. The group undergoes a series of activities under the sun to form lasting relationships with each other, all while trying to find their individual voices. They confront various issues--whether in friendships, love, or class--along the way, forcing them to consider what, or who, truly matters as they explore their lives at the cusp of adulthood. Below, Hausburg unpacks the series, from her distinct style choices to on-set surprises to romantic connections.

Why did you decide to go on Siesta Key? 

Alex [Kompothecras] and his family approached me with the idea to film a reality show pilot when I was home from college in the summer of 2015. I grew up watching Laguna Beach and The Hills (editor’s note: Siesta Key and Laguna Beach share the same group of producers), so I was immediately intrigued and excited by the idea. We filmed the pilot and went on with our lives. Two years later, to everyone's surprise, MTV picked up our show, and we started filming Season 1!


What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about staying on the island? 

The sand surprises everyone when they visit! It’s incredibly white and powder-soft. So beautiful!


Who were some of your closest friends on the show? 

Before the show began, Alex was my closest friend. I knew of the other cast members, but they all went to different schools than me, so I didn’t run in the same circle as them until Alex brought us all together. Since then, Kelsey [Owens] has become my closest friend on the show. She's actually the only cast member that I didn't know of before the show because she's from Missouri—the rest of us grew up in Sarasota, Florida. I met her on camera, and we immediately got along really well! She has been such an incredible rock throughout this entire journey, and I couldn't be more grateful for her friendship.

What was your favorite activity you took part in on the island? 

Boating! I grew up boating with my friends and family almost every weekend—jet-skiing, inner-tubing, and waterskiing. The cast’s mutual love for being out on the water definitely binds us together!


How did your relationship with Ish Soto develop over the course of the show? Where do you two stand now? 

Ish was a producer on season one of SK. After he left, we had minimal contact, only occasionally liking or commenting on each other's Instagram photos. It wasn't until I decided to come out to Los Angeles in the fall of 2018 that we really reconnected. We had just wrapped Season 2 of SK, and my love life was in a really weird place. I knew I needed to focus on myself and explore my passion for acting. Going to Los Angeles was scary because I didn’t know anyone out there, so I reached out to Ish, and the rest is history! We’re still happy together. We’re doing the bi-coastal thing for now—he comes to the Key when he can, and I go to Los Angeles when I can. 

How would you describe your style choices when in Siesta Key versus Los Angeles? 

When I'm in Siesta Key, I’m in a bikini or cover up a lot of the time. I like to dress fun and flirty—it's a beach town after all! When I'm in Los Angeles, I like to be a little more high-fashion and chic. I feel at liberty to take more fashion risks in Los Angeles.

How has being on MTV's Siesta Key changed your day to day life? 

SK has definitely made my life a lot more interesting! Social media is now a huge part of my life. While it can be very challenging at times to face the criticism, I feel very connected to all of my amazing followers, and I’m so grateful for all of their overwhelming support.


What’s your biggest takeaway from the show? 

Take every opportunity that comes your way! I’m so grateful for all the doors the show has opened for me. I’ve learned so much from my fellow cast members, my producers, my followers, and everyone I've met on the way!


Any new projects in the works that you can speak to? 

Yes! I’m so excited to be partnering with some amazing companies and people that I really connect with. I’ll have more announcements to share soon!

Follow Madisson on Social Media:

Instagram: @madissonhaus

Twitter: @madissonhaus