Sammi “Sweetheart” Giancola had no desire to go on the “Family Vacation” with her former Jersey Shore cast mates—but her ex-boyfriend Ronnie Ortiz-Magro had nothing to do with that decision, according to Sammi herself.
The former reality star finally spoke up about the reason she declined to appear on the ‘Jersey Shore’ revival, Jersey Shore: Family Vacation. Many assumed Sammi’s absence was due to her not wanting to come face-to-face with her ex, “Raaaaaahn” (and his soon-to-be baby mama) but according to her recent Instagram post, that’s not the case.
“I have chosen not to join the show this season because I am at a completely different place in my life right now focusing on my businesses and relationship,” she wrote on Instagram. “I am not the same person as I was when I was 22. At 31, I am currently extremely happy in every aspect of my life and want to avoid potentially TOXIC SITUATIONS.”
(At least viewers still have one toxic “Situation” to look forward to: Mike Sorrentino.)
Sammi went on to say her decision to sit this season out was a tough one due to the love she has for her roommates, but she ultimately wanted to focus on herself and her future.
“I will forever be grateful to ‘Jersey Shore’ and everything it has brought to me!” she added. “I’ve just decided to live my life for me these days. Also I am forever grateful & thankful for all of you! Special shoutout to my fans, but I’m not going anywhere! Follow me and stay tuned, you never know what I could be up to NEXT!”
Sammi is currently dating Christian Biscardi, a man who has not appeared on reality TV.
“It’s kind of exciting. He’s no one in the business, it’s just somebody,” she told In Touch Weekly of her boyfriend. “I’m learning to keep my relationship stuff a little more private — so that’s all I’m gonna say about it.”
When asked recently about Sammi’s absence, one cast mate hinted that money was also a factor in her decision not to do the show.
“She must be rich! Maybe she doesn’t need the money,” Paul “Pauly D” DelVecchio said on Too Fab’s On The Rocks show. “I’m trying to think about it like, maybe she’s rich? I don’t know. We wanted everybody to do it.”
Deena Cortese said the roomies missed Sammi but Vinny Guadagnino and Mike said despite her absence, the show had to go on.
“We would’ve liked to complete it with her or have her participate in it, but at the end of the day, we support her,” Mike said. “She said no, and as a squad and a team, we must march on.”
Jenni “JWoww” Farley’s husband, Roger Mathews, also voiced his thoughts on Sammi’s decision, writing in the comment section of her Instagram post that he respected her decision and, other than the MTV paycheck, he didn’t see any benefit to taking part in the show. He also commented on his wife’s decision to participate while throwing a little shade at the show’s motives.
“Different circumstances for different households,” Roger added. “My wife is a grown adult and can make her own choices. Very proud of the businesswoman and mother my wife has become. I would never tell my wife what she can and can’t do. Free will should always prevail. I wasn’t aware of what the show would be. I thought the powers that be might want to show a new side to them, a mature side with families and children. I was wrong but to be clear I love my wife very much. Drama sells. I get it. Just not my thing anymore.”
‘Jersey Shore: Family Vacation’ premieres Thursday, April 5 on MTV. Click here to watch the season’s trailer!
(Photo: MTV)
20 Responses
Sammi was one of my favorites. I felt that I could relate, she was shy but respected herself and wanted respect in return. It seemed like everytime they talked about Sam they were rolling their eyes or being shady. She wasn’t like the other girls and that bothered them. She also didn’t sleep with the whole house either, another reason I feel she was looked at sideways. She didn’t really make herself look like a mess until it came to Ronnie, then he put her in situations knowing she would freak out. He wasn’t good to her and that part of her life probably was the worst because of it, then to have the whole world see and criticize her for it. It probably left a really bitter taste in her mouth, especially after watching all her cast mates talk shit about her. She’s had to work really hard to gain her respect back, her image, and appearing on TV again would only ruin it and counteract all the moves she’s made. She wants to be seen as someone more than that part of her life. I get it.
I would 100% watch a show following them being mature adults….they are in their freaking 30s, after all.
I loved “Snooki & JWoww” and feel the Jersey-Shore-as-it-was ship has sailed. But I am a boring mom, and also not particularly prone to nostalgia, which seems to be a HUGE trend right now.
Let’s all remember how everyone in the house knew Ron was cheating on Sammi in Florida. And how quick JWoww ran to Ron and said “You better check your girl” when Sam was talking to that cop in Karma during the first season. No wonder Sam doesn’t want to return, they all lied to her and Ron was abusive and was doing drugs in Miami. Ron also was accused of being physically abusive to his new girlfriend last year. So as far as Sam being unwanted or stuck up or a bad person, I think the blame lies on the rest of the roomies for just being very bad friends to her. No one had Sammi’s back, they were all too busy stabbing her in her back. Bravo, Sammi and best wishes for a happy future.
I get why she didn’t go back…her and Ron’s relationship was definitely toxic and bad…I wouldn’t want to be around him either if I were her.
I actually respect her do much more by not ding the show (for the reasons she listed).
Its whatever.. as long as deena and pauly are there itll be good
I always got the impression the roommates secretly wished Sam would disappear. When she left and came back, it didn’t seem like anyone was really happy to see her return. I sincerely doubt anyone will miss her.
I’m glad Ron is finally free of Sam. He made a lot of mistakes but he has a big heart. I hope his current relationship is genuine. Can’t help but be a little worried that he jumped into something just because Sam is supposedly very happy now with someone else. Hope I’m wrong, especially since he is now having a baby with the new girl. That will turn out to be a disaster if he’s not in it for the right reasons. Would be nice to see him find some true happiness.
I’m a complete Jersey Shore addict and I’m totally looking forward to having my Snooks back! I couldn’t care less whether any growth or maturity is shown. They’re away from their real world duties during filming. People need to lighten up! Obviously, they’re doing fine or there would have been stories of their demise, as there has been with Mike.
Yeah, if you watch the reruns, they do make comments about not caring if she stays. She seemed really uptight and very insecure.
Ron was emotionally and verbally abusive. Guessing this is the toxic situation she is talking about.
Oh please, Ronnie was just as much to blame for their toxic relationship.
I agree Ron was downright vile with the things he said to her. The time he destroyed all her belongings was inexcusable.
Really Roger, you expected MTV to throw money at filming them during crochet class?
MTV has always filled their pockets and glasses full enough to make sure their investments would return at least three times.
I’ve also been watching the reruns and I have to say, I will not miss watching her constantly groom herself, whispering for no reason and being a generally terrible person. However, she’s the only one who hasn’t messed with her face, she looks fantastic.
Didn’t she get a nose job?
Did she?! I know Deena had at least one nose job (prior to the show she had one which she was open about, and I can’t remember if she had a revision or not? It was pretty poorly done). But I never heard anything about Sammi having one, and can’t find any evidence of it either on Google or picture wise. She never had a nose that was large or needed any type of work, in my opinion. I’m looking at her instagram now and her profile/side shots look the same as they did before.
I do respect her for moving on. Jionni clearly opposed being featured on the show and Roger does too but as he said, it’s Jenni’s decision in the end. Hopefully next to drinking and partying we will see at least some more maturity in them.
Why is roger so jealous
She was so annoying. I didn’t realize how much until they started doing reruns and countdown specials. I don’t even know how she was cast in the first place
Agree! She was nothing but a Stuck up snob who looked down on Everyone! She might be pretty , but she’s got an Ugly heart.