Nicole Polizzi (Snooki)
Chilean-born, Nicole Elizabeth Polizzi was adopted at just six months old by Italian-American parents, Andy and Helen Polizzi. Growing up in Marlboro, New York, she attended Marlboro High School and went on to continue her studies at Brookdale Community College as a veterinary technician.
Polizzi first came to fame as a cast member on MTV’s reality show, Jersey Shore, in 2009, where her nickname “Snooki” was coined. She became known as “the breakout member of the cast”, according to the New York Times. Polizzi’s fun-loving party antics highlighted the Seaside Heights, New Jersey as a fun tourist destination once again.
In 2011, Snooki and Jersey Shore co-star Jennifer Farley, signed a contract with MTV for their personalized spin-off, Snooki & Jwoww, with the series running for four seasons from 2012-2015. While the series began with its focus on the two stars moving in together, by the start of filming for the second season the themes shifted drastically, as Snooki was expecting her first child.
In 2013, Good Morning America announced that Snooki would be a competitor on the 17th season of Dancing with the Stars. Partnered with dancer Sasha Farber, the couple competed, receiving high scores from the judges for the duration of the show, until their elimination in week 7. The couple would ultimately come in 8th place for the season.
Snooki has continued to make appearances, such as presenter at the 2010 CMT Music Awards, and on TLC’s Cake Boss. In 2011, she also made an appearance on an episode of WWE Monday Night Raw, where she started a feud that would be played out at Wrestlemania later that year. She was awarded WWE’s 2011 A-Lister of the Year Slammy Award for her role in the match.
Snooki has since launched her own clothing website, The Snooki Shop, and wine company Messy Mawma, by Snooki. In 2017, she launched a podcast alongside friend and makeup artist, titled It’s Happening with Snooki & Joey. Snooki became an ordained minister with ULC in 2015 to officiate the wedding of her hairstylists Bradley Moreland and Luis Miller.
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