‘Jersey Shore’: Former Producer Speaks out About Drug Use, Says They ‘Had a Hunch’
Jersey Shore roommates like Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino have been open about past drug use. Still, some fans speculate a few other cast members were using drugs in the show’s early seasons. Here’s what a former Jersey Shore producer has to say about the reality TV stars’ drug use.
Mike ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino’s former drug use
Sorrentino first realized he was addicted to drugs after he ran out of a prescription he was taking for an injury from his season 11 appearance on Dancing with the Stars. “The roller coaster of fame and fortune is definitely a ride in itself, but to get to recovery is something special,” he told The Associated Press (via Los Angeles Times).
The Jersey Shore star tried rehab three times between 2012 and 2015. He celebrated eight years of sobriety in December 2023.
‘Jersey Shore’ cast accused of buying drugs in Miami
According to a 2010 report from Radar Online, one of the Jersey Shore roommates was spotted buying drugs in South Beach, Florida. The cast filmed season 2 in Miami.
“Miami is obviously a big drug city,” the source told the outlet. “When this cast member [wanted] to score, it wasn’t hard. The cast members are veterans by now, and they know how to get rid of the cameras when they want to.”
The outlet claimed to know which Jersey Shore roommate the source was talking about but did not disclose the information. Allegedly, MTV was unaware of any drug use in the house.
‘Jersey Shore’ producer says they ‘had a hunch’ but never proof of drug use
In a Reddit thread from March 2020, a former story and field producer for Jersey Shore Seasons 1 and 2 hosted an Ask Me Anything. “Were the crew, production, etc., aware of how much drugs were being taken and just turn a blind eye?” a fan asked.
“We had a hunch but never any solid proof,” the producer replied, adding:
“Nobody turned a blind eye to that because it’s such a huge liability. Sadly, business trumps morality. Nobody probably cared they were doing drugs because of it being such a toxic habit. We cared because it could potentially threaten the cash cow.”
Jenni ‘JWoww’ Farley opens up about her drug use in Italy
Like Sorrentino, Jenni “JWoww” Farley has been open about her experience with drug abuse. In an episode of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation, Farley talks about the miscarriage she experienced before filming began for Jersey Shore’s Italy season.
“Right before Italy, like three or four weeks before Italy, my grandmother passed,” Farley tells Sorrentino in the Jersey Shore: Family Vacation episode. “Me and Roger [Mathews] actually lost a baby, like I ended up pregnant. Not a lot of people know. And they put me on medication because of it, because I, like, couldn’t handle life.”
As Farley explains in the episode, she was on Xanax after the miscarriage. “It would take me down, like downers; it was making me so groggy,” she adds. “Then I started taking uppers with it, segue right into Italy. I was a f—ing mess.”
Today, Farley and her ex-husband have two children: Meilani and Greyson. Both Jersey Shore stars are in a happy and healthy place.
