Surprise! Ronnie makes ‘Jersey Shore’ appearance after Sammi announces return
Call the taxis! Ronnie Ortiz-Magro made his first appearance Jersey Shore: Family Vacation since he left the series to take care of his mental health – and gave an update on life after the beach.
“I feel like I needed a change of scenery and just a different pace in my life,” the reality star, 37, shared during Thursday, March 23’s episode. “I’ve decided to move from Los Angeles to Miami and open a new business. It’s a sneaker store called SneakerClinic.”
The Impact wrestling alum added that he wouldn’t be moving alone, revealing that he recently gained full custody of his 4-year-old daughter, Ariana, who he shares with ex JenHarley.
“It’s hard work, but she keeps me balanced,” he said during a confession. “She soothes my world. I didn’t have the perfect situation with her mom, but she turned out perfect. She’s so sweet, polite. It’s like, ‘Are you mine?’”
Ronnie’s good news comes after he and Jen, 32 — who welcomed Ariana in April 2018 — quit for good after allegations of physical abuse. In January 2019, an Airbnb incident in Los Angeles between the duo left the Celebrity fear factor alum charged with seven counts including domestic violence, child endangerment, false imprisonment and resisting arrest. He pleaded not guilty, but was ordered to stay at least 500 feet away from Harley and his daughter. The MTV star then accepted a plea deal in May 2020 and was ordered to do community labor for 30 days and pay $20,000 to a women’s shelter.
The Famous bachelor star – who joined the OG Jersey shore series when it premiered in 2009, made the decision in May 2021 to step out of the spin-off after four seasons to work on his mental health. His departure came just a month after he was arrested again and released on $100,000 bail. This has been confirmed by the Los Angeles Police Department Us weekly at the time his booking fell under “intimate partner violence with priors injury”, referring to his previous arrests.
“I almost lost my daughter,” Ronnie shared in Thursday’s episode. “I was in treatment for eight or nine months, but it helped me grow and it made me a stronger person.”
Prior to his tumultuous relationship with the broker, which often ended in Family holidayRonnie often made headlines for his romance with Jersey shore costar and ex-girlfriend Sammi “Sweetheart” Giancola. The two dated on and off during the run of the original show before calling it quits for good in August 2014.
While Sammi chose not to return Jersey Shore: Family Vacation when it premiered four years later, Us confirmed earlier this month that the model would appear on the MTV reboot at the same time Jenni “JWoww” Farley, Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, Paul “Pauly D” DelVecchio, Vinny Guadagnino, Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino, Deena Nicole Cortese And Angelina Pivarnick.
“She’s still the sweetest bitch you’ll ever meet. ????????,” an Instagram caption to the official Jersey shore page read on March 11, next to a photo of Sammi seemingly filming a confessional interview.
The owner of the Sweetheart Coast boutique later posted a selfie from the set on Sunday, March 12. “OK, I can finally say… I’m backkk! ☺️,” Sammi captioned her photo. It’s unclear if Ronnie will make another appearance on the reality series or if he and Sammi will cross paths in future episodes.
Jersey Shore: Family Vacation airs on MTV Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET.