Twelve years ago, a group of eight guidos and guidettes traveled to Seaside, New Jersey, for a summer of drinking and partying. Little did they know it would change their lives forever. Although the show had it's fair share of controversies, Jersey Shore had a massive impact on pop culture. From hair styles to fashion trends and even different slang words, the original eight roommates changed the world of pop culture.
The original series of the show took fans on a whirlwind of a ride that changed reality TV. It changed the lives of viewers, and it changed the lives of the roommates as well. Many of the original cast went on to settle down in relationships, start families and venture into different business opportunities. Although most of the cast did in fact return for the show's spinoff series, it is not quite the same as the original show.
After Jersey Shore first aired in 2009, the cast changed pop culture by just being their crazy and wild selves. Viewers loved watching the bunch get drunk and ultimately make poor decisions. While it did become quite dangerous at times, the constant fights amongst the roommates as well as with strangers kept fans watching. There was always some type of drama within the house, which made the show entertaining. It changed the way young adults behaved. They aspired to be like the cast, living their best lives while at the shore all summer long.
The cast was the source of numerous fashion trends. Snooki's infamous "poof" hairstyle became the go-to look for girls. Pauly D's love for hair gel sparked a trend amongst guys paying more attention to their own hair. The ladies brought back the love for animal print, especially cheetah print. The cast loved to be tan. They were always seen heading to the tanning salon on the show. This ultimately spiked the interest in fake tans amongst viewers. Aside from fashion trends, the show invented a whole list of new slang terms that are still used today. The guys invented the term "grenade" for women they did not find attractive. A new dance move was also brought about from the show: "fist pumping."
Jersey Shore was a hit show from day one, even though some seasons are hard for fans to watch back today. Other reality shows were even formed off of the concept of Jersey Shore, such as Floribama Shore. While the cast has toned down their antics over the years as they have grown and matured, the trends they once created still live on. Although the show changed pop culture in more ways than one, it also brought a stigma to the Italian culture within New Jersey. Despite once being upset by this, most locals now take pride in being from the town where Jersey Shore originated.