From Fist Pumps to Fortune: The Epic Transformation of the 'Jersey Shore' Cast

MTV revolutionized reality TV and introduced viewers to the iconic GTL lifestyle (gym, tan, laundry) with the debut of Jersey Shore in 2009.

This groundbreaking series catapulted Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, Vinny Guadagnino, Jenni "JWoww" Farley, Angelina Pivarnick, Paul "DJ Pauly D" Delvecchio, Ronnie Ortiz-Magro, Samantha "Sammi Sweetheart" Giancola, and Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino into household names. Season 3 also welcomed Deena Nicole Cortese to the cast.

In 2012, after six seasons, the cast members departed Seaside Heights, New Jersey, in order to pursue individual projects. Polizzi and Farley appeared on Snooki & JWoww from 2012 to 2015, while DelVecchio documented his DJ journey on The Pauly D Project.

Almost ten years after the original show's debut, the majority of the stars came together once again in 2018 for the spinoff series titled Jersey Shore: Family Vacation. Notably, Giancola was absent when the new show first aired, but has since rejoined the cast for the sixth season in 2023.

Scroll through the gallery below to see how each cast member has changed through the years:

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'Jersey Shore' Cast: Then and Now

MTV revolutionized reality television in 2009 when they debuted Jersey Shore, introducing viewers to the popular GTL lifestyle (gym, tan, laundry). This groundbreaking series catapulted stars like Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, Vinny Guadagnino, Jenni "JWoww" Farley, Angelina Pivarnick, Paul "DJ Pauly D" Delvecchio, Ronnie Ortiz-Magro, Samantha "Sammi Sweetheart" Giancola, and Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino to fame. During season 3, Deena Nicole Cortese became a new addition to the cast.

In 2012, following six seasons, the Seaside Heights, New Jersey cast members parted ways to pursue individual projects. Polizzi and Farley appeared on Snooki & JWoww from 2012 to 2015, while DelVecchio documented his DJ journey on The Pauly D Project.

Nearly ten years after the premiere of the original show, the majority of the stars reunited in 2018 for the spinoff Jersey Shore: Family Vacation. Notably, Giancola was absent when the new show first started, but has since made a return for the sixth season in 2023.

Scroll through the gallery below to see how each cast member has changed through the years:

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Paul 'DJ Pauly D' DelVecchio

When the original show started, DelVecchio, at 29 years old, was the oldest member of the cast. He had several relationships during the show but never settled down. In June 2013, DelVecchio became a father to his daughter, Amabella Sophia, with Amanda Market. After appearing on E!'s Famously Single, DelVecchio had an on-again, off-again relationship with Aubrey O'Day from 2015 to 2017. Since 2020, he has been in a relationship with Nikki Hall, whom he met on MTV's A Double Shot at Love.

Since 2018, DelVecchio has been a cast member on Jersey Shore: Family Vacation.

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Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi

When Polizzi joined the show at 22 years old, she entered as the quintessential party girl, ready to soak up the fun. Her camaraderie with Farley blossomed, forming an unbreakable bond. It was during season 3 when she crossed paths with Jionni LaValle, a man she met at a lively club. As season 4 unfolded, their connection deepened, ultimately leading to their engagement in March 2012, followed by a blissful wedding in November 2014. Their joy multiplied with the arrival of their firstborn, Lorenzo, in 2012, soon followed by the addition of their daughter, Giovanna, in 2014, and their son, Angelo, in May 2019.

The author of The Confessions of a Guidette shared in December 2019 that she would no longer be part of the show, expressing her desire to prioritize spending time at home with her children. Following her absence in season 4 of Jersey Shore Family Vacation, Polizzi later made a comeback as a permanent member of the cast for season 5 in 2022.

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Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino

Sorrentino, aged 27, entered the Jersey Shore house where he introduced himself as "The Situation," a nickname referring to his well-defined abs. Throughout the series, he engaged in numerous fights with fellow cast members. However, towards the end of the show, Sorrentino openly admitted to struggling with addiction to prescription drugs, leading him to enter a rehabilitation facility in March 2012. Despite leaving the center after a short period, he experienced a relapse in 2015, which prompted him to seek further treatment. Since then, he has successfully maintained his sobriety.

In addition to his personal challenges, Sorrentino has encountered significant legal issues. In 2014, he faced an indictment for tax fraud and later pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion. In January 2019, after marrying his high school sweetheart, Lauren Pesce, two months prior, Sorrentino commenced an eight-month prison sentence. Upon his release in September of that year, the couple rejoiced in the arrival of their first child, a son named Romeo, in May 2021. Despite experiencing a miscarriage, they are also expecting their second child in January 2023. Their daughter, Mia, was born in January 2023.

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Deena Nicole Cortese

Cortese and Polizzi were close friends for a long time. Although Cortese initially tried out for Jersey Shore, she didn't make it into the show. However, she eventually joined in season 3 with the memorable self-promotion of being "a blast in a glass." In 2017, Cortese tied the knot with Chris Buckner. The couple has been blessed with two children: Christopher, who was born in 2019, and Cameron, who arrived in 2021.

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Ronnie Ortiz-Magro

Ortiz-Magro, who joined Jersey Shore at the age of 24, was frequently involved in heated debates with Giancola and Sorrentino during his time on the show. However, his life took a turn in December 2017 when his girlfriend, Jen Harley, announced her pregnancy. In April 2018, they joyfully welcomed their daughter, Ariana Sky. Sadly, their relationship was filled with turmoil, with both parties accusing each other of physical abuse. In an effort to confront his struggles with alcohol and depression, Ortiz-Magro sought treatment at a facility in January 2019, staying for an entire month.

In October 2019, they permanently split after an incident at an L.A. Airbnb where Ortiz-Magro was charged with multiple misdemeanors, including domestic violence, child endangerment, false imprisonment, and resisting arrest. Despite pleading not guilty, he was ordered to stay at least 150 yards away from Harley and their daughter. In May 2020, the MTV star reached a plea deal, resulting in a 36-month probation, 30 days of community labor, and a $20,000 payment to a women's shelter.

The following year, more drama unfolded when the reality star decided to leave Jersey Shore: Family Vacation in May 2021, just one month after being arrested in Los Angeles and subsequently released on a $100,000 bond. The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that his arrest was related to previous incidents of intimate partner violence with injuries.

In June 2021, Ortiz-Magro proposed to his girlfriend Saffire Matos. “He knew that she was The One pretty much early on in their relationship,” a source told Us.

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Jenni 'JWoww' Farley

When Farley first joined the Jersey Shore house at the age of 23, she was already in a relationship, but it didn't last long. However, everything changed in season 3 when she crossed paths with Roger Mathews at Karma, a popular nightclub in New Jersey. Their connection was instant and they soon became a couple. Time passed, and in October 2015, Farley and Mathews tied the knot. Their happiness multiplied when they welcomed their daughter Meilani in July 2014, and later their son Greyson in May 2016. But life threw them a curveball when Farley revealed in November 2018 that their son had been diagnosed with autism. Unfortunately, this difficult situation took a toll on their relationship, leading to Farley filing for divorce in September 2018. However, Farley didn't let this setback define her love life and she found solace in the arms of wrestler Zack Clayton Caprinello in April 2019. Although they briefly went their separate ways, Farley surprised everyone in March 2021 by announcing that Caprinello had proposed, and they were engaged.

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Angelina Pivarnick

Pivarnick, who joined the show at 23, initially struggled to connect with the cast. She found herself in numerous conflicts with several members of the show and even left the house multiple times throughout the series. Despite this, she made a comeback for Jersey Shore: Family Vacation. In November 2019, she tied the knot with Chris Larangeira.

However, in February 2022, Larangeira filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences that had caused the marriage to deteriorate for at least six months. Soon after, Pivarnick entered into a relationship with Vinny Tortorella. Surprisingly, during an episode of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation in April 2023, Tortorella proposed to her.

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Sammi 'Sweetheart' Giancola

At the age of 22, Giancola made her entrance into the house and proclaimed herself as the "sweetest bitch you'll ever meet." While she initially connected with Sorrentino, she ultimately chose to enter a relationship with Ortiz-Magro. Their on-again, off-again relationship was filled with drama throughout the entire series, and they even moved in together after the show ended. However, they eventually parted ways, and in April 2017, Giancola started dating Christian Biscardi. Their relationship progressed, and in March 2019, Biscardi proposed to her.

In April 2020, the couple made the decision to delay their wedding because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. However, by July 2021, they had ended their relationship. Following the breakup, Giancola has found happiness with Justin May. Although she chose not to participate in the first five seasons of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation, Giancola ultimately decided to return for the sixth season in the summer of 2023.

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Vinny Guadagnino

Guadagnino, at the age of 22, began his journey with Jersey Shore. Throughout the series, he formed a close friendship with DelVecchio, which persisted even after the show's conclusion. Together, they hosted A Double Shot of Love in 2019, although neither of them found a romantic connection. In April of the same year, Guadagnino embarked on a residency as a guest dancer at Chippendales in Las Vegas and later unveiled significant weight loss achieved through the keto diet.

In the fall of 2022, Guadagnino caused a stir when he openly flirted with Gabby Windey from The Bachelorette during their participation in season 31 of Dancing With the Stars. In an exclusive interview with Us in December 2022, Guadagnino acknowledged their strong chemistry but clarified that they never became an item. Interestingly, in August 2023, Windey announced that she is in a relationship with a woman named Robby Hoffman.