Sammi Giancola Explains Why She Skipped Out On Jersey Shore: Family Vacation

This feels like 2009 all over again as this past Thursday (or shall I say, Jersday) MTV premiered Jersey Shore: Family Vacation that brought back the cast from the original Jersey Shore, with Mike, Snooki, JWoww, Deena, Pauly D, Ronnie and Vinny all returning, older and ummm, err wiser (???) I guess.

But one former cast member was notably missing, Sammi “Sweetheart” Giancola.

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Well, prior to the show’s premiere Sammi took to her Instagram to explain her absence in this new series saying,

“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. However, it was a difficult decision as I love my roomies…I’ve decided to focus on me, my future, and what truly makes me happy. I will forever be grateful to Jersey Shore and everything it has brought to me! I’ve just decided to live my life for me these days.”

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Many fans assumed that part of the reason she wouldn’t be returning was because of her often volatile relationship with Ronnie Ortiz-Magro; their rollercoaster relationship was a MAJOR issue on the show.

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Jenni “JWoww” Farley spoke to E! News about Sammi not being part of the show, saying “She didn’t want to be a part of it because she’s moved on with her life…she’s just in a different place now. And she had real-life drama in this house, so I think she just didn’t want it brought up again.”

The aforementioned Ron expressed nothing but love for his former girlfriend and respected her decision not to head back to reality TV,

“When Sam and I [went outside] the house we never really fought. But being in the house affects you emotionally and physically. It’s a lot of pressure. Me and Sam don’t talk anymore. She’s got a boyfriend and is happy and chose not to do this [reunion] season. We want her to be happy.”

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I watched the first episode of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation and while some things were totally different (Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino is like a completely new guy, he’s so nice), some things remained the same (SPOILER ALERT: Snooki pees in the pool on the first night).