Vanderpump Rules’ Ariana Madix admitted to using the tactic to “avoid manipulation” from her ex, Tom Sandoval.

Since the premiere of Vanderpump Rules Season 11, Ariana Madix has been avoiding Tom Sandoval at all costs. Now, she’s detailing how she uses a tactic called the “gray rocking” method to help her abide by the exes strict no-contact policy at both home and group events.

On Season 11, Episode 14 of the series, Ariana opened up about how she’s been able to heal from her breakup by simply not acknowledging Tom, thanks to the “gray rocking” method. According to Psychology Today, the objective of using the gray rock method is to “make someone lose interest in you.” To be a gray rock means that you show a lack of emotion or become unengaged with someone to distance yourself from them.

During the April 30 episode of Vanderpump Rules, Brock Davies took Ariana aside after the cast’s boat ride to see how she was doing being around Sandoval. Ariana replied by saying, “Well, he’s like scenery at this point. I didn’t really realize he was there.”

Shortly after, Brock asked Ariana if she would forgive Sandoval for the past drama so that she could “focus” on all the positivity in her life. Of course, Ariana’s answer was “no,” before revealing that she can “move on” in her life without absolving her ex of his wrongdoing.

In a confessional interview, Ariana further explained how she’s been able to get through her split. “Gray rocking and going no contact is literally the only way to avoid the sh-t, the manipulation all of it,” she admitted. “It’s me, I’m a gray rock.”

Ariana concluded her conversation with Brock by revealing that she took her pain from her breakup and used it for self-empowerment, saying, “There’s power, to me, in hurt and in anger and in female emotion and being able to have that … I think there’s power in all those emotions.”

Watch new episodes of Vanderpump Rules on Tuesdays at 8/7c on Bravo. Stream the next day on Peacock.