Nicole ‘Snooki’ Polizzi on ‘Jersey Shore’: ‘That Was the Character I Was Playing’

Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi and her daughter. (Photo: Instagram)

Six years ago MTV’s Jersey Shore introduced the world to Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi. The show featured the then 21-year-old partying, drinking nonstop, and hooking up on camera. Today Nicole (she’s now going with her real name) has ditched her signature pouf hairstyle and is a slimmed-down, married mother of two who says her focus is family and health. She outlines the transition in her new book, Strong Is the New Sexy: My Kickass Story on Getting my “Formula for Fierce.”

Nicole says that getting fit and losing weight were the keys to changing her life. She writes in her book: “Although I was consuming thousands of calories a day during the party years, I was actually starving myself of healthy food. The more crap I ate, the stupider I got, as seen on Seasons 1 through 5 of Jersey Shore. When I stopped drinking and started eating lots of greens, whole grains, and lean meats, it was like my brain woke up from a five-year coma. My life turned around, and things clicked into place in my relationship and my career. What goes into your body comes out in your life. If you want success, love, and the strength to cope with anything life throws at you, feed your body the healthy food it needs.”

Her book is full of advice on family, food, and working out. Interestingly she refers to Snooki as “the character I was playing.” But despite her new healthy, domestic lifestyle, Nicole is still as brash and outspoken as ever. She did recently tell Wendy Williams that her daughter was conceived … while driving. Here the former reality star talks about her life as a mom, her new workout plan, and how she’s changed since her time on Jersey Shore.

Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi’s new book. (Photo: Running Press)

Bobbi Brown: Do you go by Nicole now? What do we call you?

Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi: I kind of always went by Nicole, but the brand was Snooki. I didn’t mind that on Jersey Shore, because that was the character I was playing, but now I don’t really play that character anymore. I’m not trying to fully change my brand, but I go more with Nicole since that’s my real name. I’m trying to do that transition, but I’ll always have the brand Snooki.

I read your book last night, and I was actually very happy to see this new you. I know you are really into health and fitness and being a mom. Congratulations on your kids, by the way.

Thank you!

It’s a lot of work, right?

Yeah, but honestly, I love it. I’m obsessed.

How do you think being a mom has changed you?

I think it’s made me grow up, because you have a human being that’s yours and you have to be an adult and be responsible. You have to realize that you have to grow up.

You wrote that you’ve lost your taste for alcohol. Is that true?

I’m not drinking, obviously, like I used to. The kids drive me crazy, so I love my wine, but I don’t need to be going out all the time. I’d rather be home with the kids.

I read that you told Wendy Williams that your daughter was conceived while you and your husband, Jionni LaValle, were driving. Seriously?

I didn’t realize that would get that much pickup. But, yeah.

How do you feel about the kids seeing Jersey Shore when they are older?

I mean, I have nothing to hide. It’s not like I killed anyone. People are like, “What about when you’re 50!” and I tell them, “I’m not a murderer. I literally had fun on TV when I was 21, so it’s not a big deal.” I’ll have to explain to [my kids] that “Mommy was 21 years old, and I would go to bars and clubs, and I had fun. So hopefully you can learn from my mistakes.”

How has your style evolved since becoming a mom? Has your beauty routine changed?

I usually don’t wear makeup when I’m home with the kids, because I’m in my jammies all day, taking care of them and cleaning the house. If I have to shoot a show or go to work, that’s when I wear makeup. Other than that, I’d rather have a bare face.

You’ve really transformed your body with working out and eating differently, which you outline in your book. What’s your plan like now?

It’s a lot of grilled chicken, vegetables, whole wheat pasta, all that good stuff. I try to eat my trainer’s meals, and then working out. I usually target a different area every week. I’ll do shoulders, then back, then legs. You keep alternating so you can hit every target and you have time to recover and you can do it all over again. We have ellipticals here at our gym at the house. I try to do cardio, but it’s hard with the kids because they’re so antsy. But my goal is to build muscle, so I’m not doing as much cardio.

I read that you are 4′8″. I’m 5 feet tall. I think being shorter makes you tough and tenacious. Do you agree?

Yeah, I definitely think a lot of short people have a huge personality so they can make up for their height. I definitely feel that.

Do you still keep in touch with everyone from the show?

We try to. They’re actually all going to Jenni’s wedding. But we’re all busy doing our own thing. I basically talk to the girls a lot, because girls always talk to each other. I talk to Paulie every once in a while, but it’s hard.

It’s been great talking to you. Good luck with the kids and the new book.

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