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Jersey Shore took the television world by storm by introducing catchphrases and slang to pop culture. But there was a backlash and it was one of the most hated shows. Now the show is back with Jersey Shore: Family Vacation, so fans can catch up on the stars as they go on vacation.

There is one person missing that is sorely missed. That’s Sammi “Sweetheart” Giancola, who had a volatile off-and-on relationship with Ronnie Ortiz-Magro. There are rumors as to why she turned down the opportunity but she has finally given a statement.

So why won’t she be on the show (page 6) and what has the other cast members said about it? Here are seven things to know.

1. Jenni ‘JWOWW’ Farley and Nicole ‘Snooki’ Polizzi said they wanted Giancola to do the show

Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi and Jenni 'JWoww' Farley attend the "Jersey Shore Family Vacation" Premiere Party
Polizzi and Farley wanted their old friend to come back on the show with them. | Rich Polk/Getty Images for MTV

Early on, there seemed to at least be some hope that Giancola would change her mind and appear on the show. Jenni “JWoww” Farley and Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi talked about hoping this would happen.

“In my head, in my dreams of dreams, I really hope that [Sammi] pops in,” Farley once told Us Weekly. “Yeah, it’s gonna be different. I wish she would be on it but I understand why she’s not going to be on it.”

Polizzi said on her podcast that multiple people tried to get Giancola to change her mind. “We’re all begging her to come back on the show. It’s really up to her. Everyone pray that Sammi comes back because I feel like she might change her mind.”

So why isn’t she doing it? Well, Ronnie Ortiz-Magro has been suspected of being part of the reason, given they used to date on the show.

Next: This is what Ortiz-Magro said about the claim he’s the reason she didn’t come back.