00:00When it comes to reality TV, you've kind of had the unique experience of being able to step away a few times over the years.
00:06What is it that keeps you coming back and like continuing to to do this?
00:12I feel like it's just my life. It's my job. The people that I do it with are literally family.
00:19So, you know, when I decided to leave for a little bit, I was like in the moment, I was like, I need this.
00:26Like I need a mental like break. I just want to be home with the kids. I don't want to worry about anything.
00:31And then, you know, a couple of months went by and I knew everyone was filming and I was like, hmm, did I do the right thing?
00:37Like I kind of miss them. So like I gave it like a nice season off and then I was like, all right, I think it's time to come back.
00:43So I just think in general, it's my life. Everyone's my family. And it's just hard to stay away.
00:49Yeah. Sometimes the FOMO is real. And luckily with Jersey Shore these days, they kind of give you the chance to still be with your family.
00:56And everything when you need to be. Well, I mean, Jersey Shore, like you can't people cannot still get enough of it.
01:03It's been like 15, 16 years since you guys premiered. What is it that keeps the fans coming back for more?
01:09How do you guys keep everyone so invested? Because we're crazy.
01:13I just feel like we're so dysfunctional and you never know what's going to happen with us.
01:17And we never know. Like when we go on these vacations, we're just like, oh, you know, it's going to be like a nice, smooth vacation.
01:22And then we're all killing each other. Then the next day we're fine and we're drinking and partying.
01:27It's just like you never know what to expect with us. And we feel that way, you know, just hanging out with each other.
01:32We just never know what's going to happen. So I feel like the unexpected everybody still appreciates because we have no idea what's happening.
01:40But also, I still feel like we're real in a sense of like always saying how we feel.
01:46We're not sugarcoating anything. And a lot of reality shows are not like that anymore.
01:51So we we still try and keep it real as much as possible.
01:56So, yeah, I just feel like the fans appreciate that.
01:58Yeah, it's definitely important for sure. And you kind of made a point.
02:03And I think this is this is important where, you know, you don't really put too much of your family or your personal life on the show outside of your relationship with the roommates.
02:11Why was it like important for you to make that distinction?
02:15Well, I don't want my kids to get used to cameras because I want them to grow up to have like the most normal life ever.
02:20Like I grew up. So, you know, here and there, I don't want my kids on it, but I didn't want them on full time all the time.
02:28And my husband doesn't really my husband hates being on TV.
02:32So I was just like, all right, I see that. Like, I respect it.
02:36So I think the fact that that aspect of my life isn't shown, it's nice because it's private.
02:43It's us. So when I come home, I just feel like it's just us.
02:46And I don't feel like, you know, a lot of people are watching.
02:49Do you know what I mean? It's just it's it's different than everyone else that, you know, has their spouse on and everything, which is nice.
02:56But I feel like this works for us. Yeah, you have to do. It works for you.
03:00Otherwise, like you said, it's going to take a toll on your mental health like it has in the past.
03:03And, you know, I don't feel like people don't think they know your family just because they're not on the show.
03:08You give like just enough where it's like the perfect balance.
03:12Yeah. Well, like you were mentioning your kids a little bit and they are getting older now.
03:16Are they like aware of just how big Jersey Shore is and like what you really do?
03:21I don't think fully yet. I mean, Lorenzo's 10, Giovanna's 8 and then, you know, my little one's 3.
03:26So he has no idea. But like Lorenzo and Giovanna know like they see like all my YouTube videos and stuff like that.
03:32So like I'm still going with the story like I'm an actress and, you know,
03:36until they can be like 18 and understand like, listen, mommy was crazy before you guys.
03:42You know, I'm just going to stick with that story.
03:44But they definitely know that I'm on TV and they hate when I leave.
03:47They're like, mom, you're going to work again for how long?
03:50And I'm like, well, you like your new Chromebook that you got, right?
03:52I was like, mommy's got to work. I'm doing this for you.
03:56So they're starting to understand and they get it.
03:59But yeah, they know I'm not a normal mom.
04:02Well, now that your face is on a Cheez-It box, that might be like a little bit.
04:06Oh, they think it's so cool. I can't. I'm glad I'm cool to them now.
04:10Yeah. Well, Jersey Shore, you know, has obviously opened so many doors for you beyond reality TV.
04:16You've done some hosting now. You obviously have your businesses, multiple businesses.
04:19Do you kind of see your life going more in that direction?
04:22Or will you like stick with reality TV as well?
04:25Like as long as that's available to you?
04:27Yeah, I mean, we all said that we wanted to Jersey Shore.
04:30And so like we're in the nursing home. It depends.
04:33Me and Jenny are like still trying to drink our wine and like fight with the nurses.
04:37Like we want to go until like forever, you know, like until until, you know, we have fans and like people want to watch us.
04:44Like we're down to do as much as, you know, we're willing or we're allowed to.
04:48MTV lets us. So I would love to do reality forever.
04:51But also like I like to just like not be in front of a camera and like do my behind the scenes stuff, which is like, you know, my stores and my wine and stuff like that.
05:01So I like all of it. I would like to keep it all forever.
05:05So, I mean, we'll see. Hopefully we could do the show for like 10 more years.
05:11Yeah, you are the ultimate working mom. You do it all for sure.
05:15I try.
05:15Is there anything you kind of feel like over the years that I mean, fans obviously feel like they know you so well at this point.
05:22Is there anything you feel like the show hasn't captured about you or is it all really out there?
05:26Um, yeah, I feel like it's all out there. I don't feel like they capture me being a mom as much just because it's so hard to get my kids to film because they're so busy with sports and school and everything.
05:39Like sometimes they don't want to do it. So like I'm not going to force them.
05:42But like I'm really trying to show more of my mommy side of like the chaos of my house.
05:47Like it's not just me going on on these vacations and like drinking like I'm actually like a functioning mom at home and I kill it.
05:54So I definitely want to show more of that. It's just I got to try and get all three kids at home at the same time and like want them.
06:02I want them to want to like, you know, work with mommy.
06:06Yeah, yeah. Well, people don't realize that these vacations that you guys go on are like every few months or a few weeks.
06:11Probably it's not like you're out five days in a row all the time.
06:16I know. I'm like, no, I would be dead.
06:18Yeah, I feel you. I'm actually in the Jersey Shore right now in Long Beach Island.
06:23So it's it is it is hard to not just feel like you're on vacation all the time in that atmosphere.
06:28But I'm loving the Cheez-Its in the background.
06:33And, you know, reality TV for so long.
06:36So I guess let's start with like letting me know why was it so important for you to kind of celebrate that with this collaboration with Cheez-Its?
06:44Well, they asked me. So I was honored.
06:47I was like, oh, my God, yes.
06:48Because, first of all, Cheez-Its is literally my favorite snack when it comes to, you know, being a mom, like a person.
06:53But as kids, my kids are starting me.
06:56But for my kids, they literally favorite snack, like always in the pantry.
07:01So when I showed them my face on the box, they were like, Mom, you're so cool.
07:05Like they want to take it and show all of their friends.
07:07So I'm honored to be able to be on the box of Cheez-Its, my favorite snack, but also just celebrating reality.
07:14I mean, 30 years, it's crazy.
07:17And obviously, reality is like my life.
07:19So it's cool.
07:22Yeah. I mean, there's so many reality stars they could have chosen from.
07:24So definitely.
07:25Exactly. I'm so thankful.
07:27Yeah. And it is truly the best, most addicting snack for sure.
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