What Sammi 'Sweetheart' Has Been Up to Since Her 'Jersey Shore' Days (2024)

By

Miguel A. Melendez

Sammi "Sweetheart" Giancolaanointed herself as "the sweetest b**ch you'll ever meet" when she appeared as an original cast member of the hit MTV series Jersey Shore. In the years since that show went off the air in 2012 after six successful seasons, Sammihas earned other sweet monikers, from sweetestfiancée to sweetest entrepreneur.

When the sequelJersey Shore: Family Vacationwas announced, Sammiwas the only OG cast member who decided not to accept the vacay, citing she was "at a completely different place in my life right now." On March 11, Sammiannounced she was back and though it'sunclear if she’s backin a full-time capacity, she’s set to appear in the current season of Family Vacation, which returned with season 6 at the end of January and has aired seven episodes so far.

With her return imminent, ET takes a look at what Sammi'sbeen up to since leaving Jersey Shore.

November 2013: Launches online boutique company

The entrepreneurial bug bites her in 2013 and she launches Sweetheart Styles. The online boutique store hawks jewelry, clothing, home decor and other accessories.

To date, the company's Instagram account boasts more than 145,000 followers.

May 2014: Celebrate's pooch's first birthday!

She's a huge animal lover, especially when it comes to dogs. She wished one of her three dogs, Louie (her Booger) a happy first birthday. She's such a huge proponent for animals that in April 2015 she partnered with the ASPCA for its #GetTough campaign to end dog fighting.

June 2015: She becomes a godmother

Sammi's ecstatic about her godmother duties to her niece, Reagan Shea. She would become an aunt for a second time in July 2016, this time to Ryan Marie.

August 2016: Heads back to college!

The Hazlet, New Jersey, native attended William Patterson University in Wayne, New Jersey, where she majored in sociology. She was a four-year varsity soccer standout in high school and later played as a midfielder on the NCAA Division III women's soccer team.

In August 2016, she returned to play in her alumni game and appeared to have a blast.

March 2017: Celebrates milestone birthday

She turned the big 3-0 that year, and she couldn't have been happier about kicking off the festivities. She appeared alongside huge balloons to commemorate her milestone birthday.

March 2018: Turns down Jersey Shore: Family Vacation

Sammi was the only member of the original Jersey Shorecast who declined to return forthe sequel. At the time, Sammi announced she was in a different place in her life. WhenFamily Vacationwas first announced in 2017, Sammiwas the only personnot listedamong the cast.

She would eventually take to Instagram and offer an explanation.

"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 at the time. "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," she continued. "I will forever be grateful toJersey Shoreand everything it has brought to me! I've just decided to live my life for me these days."

It's no secret Jersey Shore fans know she and her ex, Ronnie Ortiz-Magro, had an explosive falling out after their breakup. Ronniewould eventually take a step back from Family Vacation after five seasons.

June 2018: 'Sammi Doll' appears on Family Vacation

Fans will remember thatPauly D took it upon himself to replace real-lifeSammi with a fake (but lifelike) Sammi doll -- which became a major fixture all season long.ET spokewithPauly D after the episode aired and was asked if he's spoken to her since the show aired and if she found the prank hilarious.

"I have! I have [talked to her] and she gets the joke, she knows it was all in good fun, I'mglad too 'cause Iwas like, 'Shoot, Ihope she doesn't hate me,' you know?" Pauly revealed at the time, before adding, "And I wanna say that thing is so heavy, it's like dead weight!"

November 2018: Sammi reunites with her castmates!

Sammi attended Deena Cortese's baby shower, where there was a mini Jersey Shore reunion.

FellowJersey ShorestarsNicole "Snooki" Polizzi,Jenni "JWoww" FarleyandAngelina Pivarnickwere in attendance at the bash, as well as Snooki and JWoww's young daughters. The group couldn't help but commemorate their reunion -- or Deena'sbig day -- with tons of pics on social media.

"DEENER’S baby shower for CJ! Can’t wait to meet another addition to our family. Love these ladies so much!!!!!! #Family #MySisters ❤️❤️," Snooki captioned one snap. Deenaand her husband, Christopher Buckner, are planning to name their son after his father.

Sammi also took to Instagram and posted a picture with Deena. She captioned it, "Such a great day celebrating my girl @deenanicolemtv & cbuckner_! Can't wait to meet this new munchkin!♥️

March 2019: She's engaged!

After more than two years of dating, Sammi and Christian Biscardi became engaged.

June 2021: She opens her store

Sammi celebrated another huge business milestone when she opened her brick and mortar in Ocean City,New Jersey.

She shot video of the ribbon-cutting ceremony and, in a sweet Instagram post, Sammi thanked those for helping her pull off the grand opening.

"I can’t thank you enough for supporting me!! It was so fun seeing and meeting you all," she captioned the post. "[Y]ou all rock! Special thank you to the town of Ocean City NJ, @oceancityvacationespecially the police & surrounding stores on the boardwalk! If you are ever visiting please support all Ocean City local businesses! It’s official, let the Summer begin."

July 2021: She calls off her engagement

She confirmed the news in a TikTok video, in which she answered a number of fan questions, including "Are you single?" and "Are you happy?" both to which she replied, "Yes."

Rumors had been swirling at the time that Sammi and Christian split after fans noticed that the two unfollowed each other on social media in June. Sammi then went on to delete all photos from her feed that featured Christian.

November 2021: She's not single anymore!

Just four months later, Sammi introduced her new boyfriend, Justin May, to the world, when she posted him on her Story forthe Thanksgiving Day holiday.

In the photo, the new couple matched with black and denim outfits as they embraced each other. She wrote, "Thankful," alongside the post.

June 2022: She gets a fourth dog!

The fourth pooch in her life is a golden retriever named Tony Baloney!

March 2023: She's back!

Sammi officially announced her return to the Jersey Shore franchise on March 11. She and the series revealed the news on Instagram, postingbehind-the-scenes photos of her taping confessionals.

"She’s still the sweetest b**ch you’ll ever meet," theJersey Shoreofficial accountwrote, while Sammi posted her own photo with the caption, "OK I can finally say… I’m backkk!"

While it's unclear if she's back in a full-time capacity, Sammiis set to appear in the current season ofFamily Vacation, which returned with season 6 at the end of January and has aired seven episodes so far.

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