Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi feels Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino has had the most personal growth amongst the entire Jersey Shore cast over the years. Both Nicole and Mike were once the breakout stars of the original series. At first, the two had a close friendship; however, in the later seasons, rumors began to swirl claiming Nicole had cheated on her now husband, Jionni LaValle, with Mike, causing their friendship to suffer.
Throughout the original series, Mike was constantly drinking, partying and bringing home random girls from the club. As the show came to an end, Mike's relationships with his fellow roommates were suffering. The same year the series ended, Mike checked himself into a rehab facility to work on his alcohol dependency. He soon reunited with his college sweetheart, Lauren Sorrentino, who helped him turn his life around. In 2018, Mike was sentenced to eight months in prison for his tax invasion case.
While all of the roommates have come a long way since the show first aired in 2009, Mike may take the gold for having the most personal growth. Nicole recently appeared on Paris Hilton's podcast "This is Paris," during which she shared how impressed she is by how far Mike has come over the years. Paris had sparked the conversation by asking Nicole which of her roommates she feels she has "“seen grow most over the years and mature.” Nicole responded to the question by saying, "I’d probably say Mike because Mike was such an a****** and he knows it.” She noted that Mike recently celebrated five years of sobriety, which is something has worked hard to achieve.
Nicole continued on to admit how proud she is of Mike. Ever since Mike became "sober of like everything," he has changed as a person. She recalled how "bad" it was prior to Mike seeking help. Now, Mike is not only a husband but a father. Nicole exclaimed, "Now, he’s just this amazing husband, amazing dad, and amazing friend to all of us and we’re just super proud of him." Although his life is completely different than it once was when fans were first introduced to him, Nicole assured that he is "still fun." She explained, "He knows how to still be Sitch without getting drunk and without getting, you know, messed up."
The entire cast has been supportive of Mike's sobriety, especially while filming for Jersey Shore: Family Vacation. At first, the roommates were very cautious of avoiding clubs and any other atmospheres that may promote drinking. Although they have become slightly more lenient with this as they continue to film for the show, the family also partakes in different, fun actives that do not involve partying. Luckily for Mike, he has his supportive wife Lauren to lean on throughout his never-ending journey.
Jersey Shore: Family Vacation airs Thursdays at 8pm EST on MTV.
Source: This is Paris Podcast