It’s been nearly four years since the Jersey Shore cast packed away their tanning oils and fist-pumped their way off of MTV. While a lot has changed since the 2012 series finale—weddings, babies, tax fraud charges—it seems you can take these self-described guidos and guidettes out of Jersey, but you can’t ever fully take the Jersey out of them.
And why would you want to?!
When E! News confirmed that the most iconic love saga to exist on the Jersey Shore—you know, the one between “Sammi Sweetheart” Giancola and Ronnie Ortiz-Magro—had sparked once again, we suddenly grew nostalgic for the cast that once had this country glued to the television every week.
While a source tells E! News Ron and Sam “are seeing each other again, [but] taking it slower this time around,” we couldn’t help but wonder what was happening in the lives of their eight former cast mates. Some we know more about than ever, some a little less… but here’s what they’re up to:
READ: Jersey Shore stars Sammi Sweetheart Giancola and Ronnie Ortiz-Magro are back together
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A photo posted by Samantha?? “Sammi Sweetheart” (@sammisweetheart) on
After Jersey Shore ended, Sammi stayed with boyfriend Ronnie for two solid years. The couple broke up in 2014, and since then, Sammi has stayed off the reality-TV schedule, save for a stint as a guest judge on Project Runway in 2013.
Just this week, however, Sammi emerged front and center in our hearts once we heard that she and Ronnie were back together. She also celebrated her 29th birthday this week with friends and her former cast mates.
After his split from Sammi, Ronnie made headlines in 2014 when he revealed a photo of himself showing he had gained a considerable amount of weight, followed by an “after” shot of him losing the weight and getting ripped…in just four weeks. (The time frame remains suspect…)
These days, other than frolicking on vacation Ronnie is still focusing on working out and eating, but he is also giving solid dating advice to his 810,000 Instagram followers and updating us on the status of his stolen-and-returned car.
DJ Pauly D capitalized on his reality TV fame and has lived up to his name–you know, the DJ part!—with residencies both in Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
He is currently dating Danity Kane singer Aubrey O’Day, whom he coincidentally met on the upcoming E! reality show Famously Single (premiering later this year). The show’s relationship coach, Dr. Darcy Sterling, says the couple are an “ideal match.”
Vinny Guadagnino, the Jersey Shore‘s former resident funny guy and one-half of the show’s most epic bromance, has also kept a low-key profile since the finale of the show. These days, the nice guy is giving back in various ways, such as speaking on a panel for NYC Administration of Child Services, talking Instagram politics with his 1.2 million followers, live-tweeting GOP debates and hanging out with his sweet rescue pup.
As for his love life, Vinny dated Melanie Iglesias for a couple of years, ultimately breaking up in 2014, and has not been publicly linked to anyone since.
Jenni “JWoww” Farley, along with her BFF Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, are arguably the most popular members of the Jersey Shore cast and have had the most life-changing experiences since the end of the show. JWoww became a mother when she had Meilani in 2014, and is expecting her second child sometime this May. The reality star married Roger Mathews on Oct. 18, 2015.
JWoww is currently focusing on being a mommy and hosting her web series, Moms With Attitude, with her co-host Snooks. She recently celebrated her 30th birthday and we just can’t get over how much life can change in such a relatively short amount of time.
JWoww and Roger Mathews: Romance Rewind
Snooki has also undergone a major lifestyle transformation. She told E! News that she had to make serious changes when she found out she was pregnant with her first child, son Lorenzo Dominic Lavalle—changes that, according to the petite star, saved her from ending up in rehab.
Snooki married her long-time love Jionni LaValle, whom she has two children with—her little boy, Lorenzo, and daughter Giovanna Marie LaValle—and she’s shooting a new reality show, Shore Flip. Just as it sounds, Snooki and Lorenzo flip houses along the Jersey Shore and show the importance of working together in a marriage. (We’re guessing there may be a few disagreements along the way, too, but nothing the duo can’t handle.)
???????? @lauren_pesce
A photo posted by Mike “The Situation”Sorrentino (@mikethesituation) on
And who could ever forget Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino?! Mike has had a bumpy road since the end of the show, dealing with tax fraud charges and rehab, but fortunately The Sitch seems to be in a better place these days.
According to his Instagram, Mike is back together with college girlfriend Lauren Pesce. The couple appeared on Marriage Bootcamp: Reality Stars to deal with Mike’s addiction and legal woes, but ultimately broke up when Lauren was found to have been unfaithful. The two seem to have let bygones be bygones and look happy to be back together.
Speaking of Mike’s Instagram… we previously crowned Britney Spears the Queen of Inspirational Instagrams, but we may have found the king. Mike’s ‘Gram is filled with motivational quotes and memes such as, “BEST THING I EVER DID WAS BELIEVE IN ME,” “What is coming is better than what is gone,” and cute baby memes. He clearly gets much joy from the simple things in life.
Deena Nicole Cortese’s life after Jersey Shore is among the most unexpectedly low-key. The 29-year old joined the show in its third season, replacing Angelina Pivarnick. On the show, she was a rowdy party animal and faithful friend to Snooki and JWoww.
These days, however, Deena has completely settled down with boyfriend Christopher Buckner, a guy she actually met on the show. The two have been together for four years and are co-habitating. Even more surprising is that Deena’s choice of condo decor includes hanging up signs with little sayings, such as a “Recipe for a Happy Home” and quotes about love. Yes, Deena has gone sentimental in her late 20s.
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