EXCLUSIVE: The Jersey Shore cast share their reactions to the shocking return of Sammi Sweetheart – and the unlikely co-star behind it – as they tease the most ‘epic’ season yet

Is it a ghost? Is it AI?

No, this is real life Sammi Sweetheart, whose dramatic and shocking return to Jersey Shore after 11 years has left her unsuspecting former co-stars doing double takes.

The cast stopped by DailyMail.com in New York ahead of the show’s premiere on Thursday night where they urged fans to ‘prepare’ for an ‘epic’ second half of season six – which they described as “totally different from any season we’ve ever shot.

For starters, fans will see Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino, Vinny Guadagnino, Jenni “JWOWW” Farley, Angelina Pivarnick, Paul “DJ Pauly D” DelVecchio, Deena Cortese, and Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi reunite with original cast member Sammi Giancola. – who swore she would never return to the hit MTV series after its six-season original run ended in 2012.

The entire Guido team (except Angelina) revealed that they were so “shaken” by her unexpected return that they thought she was a “copycat” or an “AI”, when they first came face to face.

Speaking alongside her co-stars, Sammi, who has made a name for herself as the self-proclaimed ‘sweetest girl you’ll ever meet’, was also candid about her sudden change of heart and which co-star helped Arrange to make it happen.

Sammi revealed why she changed her mind after 11 years and which co-star helped her get there

New episodes of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation will air Thursday at 8 p.m. EDT on MTV.

The Jersey Shore original series that catapulted the cast into reality TV stardom ran for six seasons between 2009 and 2012. The show was an instant hit, with the cast’s wild drama and fun phrases like “Gym , Tan, Laundry” becoming integrated into pop. culture.

The reboot, Jersey Shore: Family Vacation, premiered in 2018 and at the time, Sammi was adamant that she would never return, even repeatedly turning down invitations to return.

“I think I’m just in the right place,” Sammi said of her decision to return. “At the time they decided to remake the show, I just couldn’t see myself going back to an environment that, you know, I had a bad relationship with.

“It was very toxic to me at the time. And then I was 22 when I did it. I’m 36 now and I’ve come a long way. So I thought, ‘Why Not now ?”

While the decision shocked fans when it was announced earlier this year, no one was more stunned than her own co-stars who never expected her to return to reality TV, let alone walk through the doors of their rental home in the Poconos Mountains.

‘We never thought Sammi would come back. She promised never to come back and after so many years we called it off,’ Vinny, 35, said.

‘I think it’s that AI? A Sammi impersonator? Jenni, 37, said. “I think my jaw dropped.

“We really thought this chapter and this whole book were close. Like, we never thought a million years ago that she would come back. We have respected its limits.

“At this point, it’s been a decade, there’s no way. So we were amazed. Just as shaken.

Sammi, Snooki and Deena stopped by DailyMail.com’s New York office to discuss the upcoming season

Mike said he was surprised the big reveal was kept from him. “I was definitely shaken when it happened because usually I know a lot of things”

The only cast member aware of Sammi’s surprise return was Angelina, who revealed she helped make it all happen

“I was really shaken when it happened because I usually know a lot of things,” said Mike, 41. “When she walked in, I was like, ‘Wow, we definitely have a situation. “”

Snooki, 35, revealed she was “already full of wine” when Sammi unexpectedly arrived, “so when she walked in I was like, ‘Is she real? Am I hallucinating?

Deena, 36, said she felt like she was “seeing a ghost”, but added that it was a pleasant surprise.

“I was so happy because for years we asked Sam to come back,” she said. “I was really happy that she finally felt comfortable coming back.”

The only actor aware of Sammi’s arrival was Angelina, as she was the one who made it all happen.

“I DMed Sam hoping she would respond and did. It was around November. I have chills,” Angelina, 37, said.

Fans are now ready to see how things play out between notorious former rivals Sammi and Jenni, known for their epic blowouts throughout the original series.

But Jenni admitted all the beef from years ago has been sorted out and she and Sammi are in a good place now.

The cast described the upcoming season as a “roller coaster, smash hit, wild, epic, chaotic and emotional”.

In another surprise twist this season, Sammi is also set to come face-to-face with her ex-boyfriend, former original cast member Ronnie Ortiz-Magro.

Snooki and JWOWW were clearly stunned to see Sam walk through the door after 11 years away. Fans can’t wait to see how things go between notorious rivals Sammi and Jenni who had epic blowouts on the original show.

The Jersey Shore: Family Vacation trailer showed the shock on everyone’s face when Sam walked through the door of the Poconos’ house

“I’m back !” : fans were shocked when the trailer revealed that Sammi would be making a comeback after 11 years

The pair met on the show in 2009 and their volatile relationship has been extensively documented over several seasons.

Ronnie took time off after the reboot of Family Vacation to focus on his mental health over the past two years.

Asked about the surprise encounter with her ex, Sammi played coy and teased, “You are definitely going to see some craziness. You will see.’

Although Pauly D was absent from our interview – busy being a world-famous DJ – the cast ensured he was still in the mix and fans can see him in abundance this season.

And everyone unanimously voted Angelina as the actor who brings the most drama this season.

Angelina even agreed.

‘I do not want. It happens !’ she says.

New episodes of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation will air Thursday at 8 p.m. EDT on MTV.