‘Jersey Shore’: How the Roommates Have Changed Over the Last 11 Years
Eleven years ago, Jersey Shore debuted on MTV. The reality series introduced the world to eight guidos and guidettes who thought they would be competing against each other for the title of America’s Biggest Guido. Instead, the roommates formed a bond that would connect them for life.
To celebrate, we’re highlighting how the Jersey Shore roommates have evolved over the last 11 years.
Nicole ‘Snooki’ Polizzi and Deena Cortese are in business together
The Jersey Shore meatballs have come a long way from getting drunk at bars on the boardwalk. Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi and her best friend Deena Cortese are still fun-loving, but they’re moms who mean business now.
When they’re not co-hosting an Instagram Live, Cortese and Polizzi are dedicating their time to their fashion endeavors. Polizzi owns and operates The Snooki Shop, a boutique in Madison, New Jersey. Cortese started a Mommy-and-Me clothing store online named after her son, Christopher John.
The dynamic duo also embarked on a fashion business together — Meatball Merch. The brand is “the number one spot for all meatballs,” offering fans t-shirts and sweatshirts with Polizzi and Cortese’s quintessential quotes.
Ronnie Ortiz-Magro and Sammi ‘Sweetheart’ Giancola’s toxic relationship is a thing of the past
Sammi ‘Sweetheart’ Giancola and Ronnie Ortiz-Magro’s on-again-off-again relationship became a major storyline in several seasons of Jersey Shore. The two hit it off almost immediately in season 1, but their romance quickly became toxic. When Jersey Shore ended in 2012, Giancola decided she was done with reality television and did not return for Jersey Shore: Family Vacation in 2018.
Despite how their relationship ended, Giancola nor Ortiz-Magro have let their past define them. After 11 years, Giancola’s focus is her business, Sweetheart Styles, and her fiancé Christian Biscardi.
Oritz-Magro has also experienced significant changes. Now, he puts himself first. Ortiz-Magro entered a treatment center for alcohol abuse and depression in the beginning of 2019. He has continued on that positive trajectory, co-parenting his daughter with his ex, Jen Harley, and finding love with Saffie Matos.
Angelina Pivarnick is officially part of the family
Pivarnick’s biggest change over the last 11 years was becoming part of the Jersey Shore cast (again). She was an original roommate in season 1, but left before the summer ended. Pivarnick returned for season 2, but she wasn’t welcomed back with open arms, forcing her to go once again.
Now, despite the recent drama between her and the roommates, Pivarnick is considered part of the family on Jersey Shore: Family Vacation.
DJ Pauly DelVecchio is taken
Pauly DelVecchio might have changed the least over the last 11 years personality-wise. He’s still the same loud, outgoing, rambunctious DJ he has always been.
But there has been one significant change in DelVecchio’s life — he’s in a committed relationship now! Thanks to Double Shot at Love and the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, DelVecchio is happily dating model and reality star Nikki Hall.
Vinny Guadagnino came out of his shell
When we first met Guadagnino, he was a young, shy kid from Staten Island. He slowly opened up about his experience with anxiety throughout the show, even leaving Jersey Shore during season 5 to go home and seek help. Now, 11 years later, Guadagnino doesn’t consume carbs as frequently. Instead, he maintains his “Keto Guido” physique, moonlighting as a Chippendales stripper with the confidence of 10 DJ Pauly Ds.
Mike ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino is bringing new meaning to ‘Big Daddy Sitch’
Over the last 11 years, much of the Jersey Shore cast has welcomed children into their lives. Polizzi, DelVecchio, Cortese, Ortiz-Magro, and Jenni “JWoww” Farley all have kids of their own. Now, “The Situation” is joining the pack of parents.
In the last 11 years, Sorrentino has completely turned his life around. When we first met “The Situation,” he valued his washboard abs more than anything. Early seasons of the reality series showed a version of Sorrentino addicted to painkillers — a version of himself he would change.
Today, “Big Daddy Sitch” is five years clean and sober thanks to the love and support of his Jersey Shore family and his wife, Lauren Sorrentino. Instead of instigating fights, “The Situation” is now “The Mediation,” whose job is to unite his roommates on Jersey Shore: Family Vacation. Plus, he and his wife are expecting their first child in May 2021.
