Snooki and her birth mother share emotional reunion on 'Jersey Shore'
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'RHONJ' stars at MTV VMAs: We don't know what's next for the show
At the MTV VMAs, Dolores Catania and Jennifer Fessler tell USA TODAY's Ralphie Aversa about the future of "The Real Housewives of New Jersey."
In a new episode of "Jersey Shore Family Vacation," Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi messaged and spoke to her birth mom for the first time ever.
"I never forgot about you and I love you," Polizzi's birth mom said through a translator, in the episode that aired Thursday, June 5. In response, the longtime reality TV star, 36, drew her hand to her mouth and started to cry. Jenni "JWoww" Farley then leaned in to hug her.
"She just looks so sad, and I feel like she's been waiting for this moment to reach out to me," Polizzi said. "I never realized I actually cared about hearing my birth mom's voice."
Polizzi has been consulting with Jersey-based genealogist Pamela Slaton, who previously helped cast member Angelina Pivarnick find her biological dad on the show. Born in Chile and adopted and raised by Helen and Andrew Polizzi of Marlboro, New York, Snooki said the moment provided her a clarity she didn't know she was searching for.
Images of her birth mom, brother and sister, were digitally obscured on the show, and her name was not been revealed. Polizzi and her mother spoke through the aid of a translator who was in the room.
When Polizzi asked why she was put up for adoption, her mother responded, through the translator: Polizzi's "father disappeared, leaving her by herself. It was the only option that she had, and even if it was painful, she had to let you go."
Then, ditching the translator momentarily, Polizzi's birth mother said, "Hola, hola," and the reality star, clearly startled, said: "I think I'm having a panic attack!"
"It was a really hard time, it was really hard to disappear from you," her mom said through the translator. "I suffered a lot — I never forgot about you."
"Obviously, I'm not mad at her for putting me up for adoption," Polizzi said. "I have amazing parents. I had a great childhood. I'm just so content with my life and who my parents are. I don't know where to go from here. My emotions are everywhere."
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