When it comes to reality television MTV has always delivered, and 'Jersey Shore' is proof of just that! The show is now in the fourth season of their reboot, 'Jersey Shore: Family Vacation', and fans are loving it. While the original series, which first aired back in 2009 will forever be untouchable, the cast is still bringing in over 10 years later! In season 3, Deena Cortese made her way to the show where she and Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi instantly became known as the 'meatballs'.
The soon-to-be mother of two has become a staple figure of the reality series, however, she recently revealed that she was actually meant to star in the first season! While Angelina Pivarnick held that spot for the first two seasons, Deena and Nicole shared during a live stream that Cortese was actually supposed to be there instead. So, why did Deena step down? Let's find out!
Why Deena Left 'Jersey Shore' Season 1?
Deena Cortese made her debut on the hit reality series, 'Jersey Shore', back in 2011 when season 3 first aired. Deena stepped in after Angelina Pivarnick left the show for her second time, leaving a vacant spot for Cortese. Deena and Snooki give off major BFF vibes, and while they are close friends today, the duo was not the best of friends prior to 'Jersey Shore'. According to an MTV producer, Deena and Snooki originally met at the auditions for season 1. "They literally met at auditions, and then ran into each other a few times at the shore and partied together", which is unlike what most fans thought!
While Deena didn't appear on the show until its third season, it seems as if she was actually meant to star in the first! On May 17, 2020, Deena Cortese and Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi took to Instagram Live for an hour-long chat where they touched on loads of things from Sammi's upcoming wedding that they aren't invited to all the way to Deena making the cut for season 1 of 'Jersey Shore'.
"I was supposed to be on season 1", Cortese told fans. Snooki immediately chimed in saying she was bummed when she discovered that Deena was not at the house when she arrived. Snooki revealed that the only reason she yelled "the party's here!" was because she thought Deena would be at the house waiting for her.
While it has been cited that Deena didn't appear on the series' first season was because she was "rejected" throughout the audition process, however, according to Deena and Nicole, that wasn't the case at all! Deena continued by sharing that she had to "step down last minute due to personal reasons," while she didn't reveal what those reasons were, she and Snooki shared a look with one another pointing affirming they both knew what Deena was talking about.
Although Angelina certainly brought the drama, she was notoriously difficult to work with during the first 2 seasons, something production and the cast did not like. Execs at MTV thought Deena would be a "lighthearted" addition and invited her back for season 3! While fans would have loved #TeamMeatballs from the very start, viewers are happy Deena made her way to the show eventually!