Michael Paul Sorrentino (born July 4, 1982),[2] also known as The Situation, is an American television personality. He appeared on all six seasons of the MTV reality show Jersey Shore from 2009 through 2012, and has since returned to the franchise with Jersey Shore: Family Vacation.
In January 2011, Sorrentino signed on to star as a judge in the YOBI.tv talent-show web series New Stage.[11][12][13]
Sorrentino made more than $5 million in 2010, the second highest of any other reality star after Kim Kardashian.[14][15] This money was accrued through endorsements with Devotion Vodka,[16] Reebok Zigtech shoes,[17][18] as well as a ghost-written autobiography,[19] a rap song,[20] a workout DVD,[19] a vitamin line for GNC,[21] a clothing line,[22][23] and appearances on Jersey Shore and Dancing with the Stars.
In March 2011, Sorrentino appeared on the Comedy Central Roast of Donald Trump. His performance was poorly received by audiences and critics.[24] During his set, Sorrentino's jokes elicited jeers from the audience, prompting veteran roaster Jeff Ross to intervene.[25] In August of that year, Sorrentino was offered $10,000 by fashion retailer Abercrombie & Fitch not to wear the company's clothes.[26][27] A spokesman for the company explained that "Mr. Sorrentino's association with our brand could cause significant damage to our image."[28][29] In November 2011, Sorrentino filed a lawsuit against A&F after they made shirts that read "The Fitchuation" and "GTL...You Know The Deal."[30] This case, however, was dismissed before proceeding to trial.[31]
On February 22, 2012, Sorrentino appeared in a small cameo role on ABC's Suburgatory. In June 2012, he participated in FOX's dating game show The Choice.[32] On August 15, 2012, he became a housemate on the tenth series of Celebrity Big Brother on Channel 5[33] and on September 7, 2012, he came in fourth on the series final.[34]
In 2014, he appeared on a reality show with his family, which aired on the TVGN network.[36] In the following year in 2015, he was a participant on the fifth season of Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars with his partner, Lauren Pesce.[37]
In 2018, Sorrentino reunited with most of his Jersey Shore cast members in Jersey Shore: Family Vacation, a reboot of the series.[40] The first and second seasons aired in 2018 with Sorrentino as a main cast member.[41] It was confirmed in May 2019 that he will “be a huge part” of the third season, including documentation of his wedding, court sentencing, and events leading up to his jail time.[42]
Personal life
Sorrentino has claimed his nickname "The Situation" came from when he was complimented regarding his physique while in public, causing a "situation" between an unnamed couple.[43]
Sorrentino worked as an assistant manager of a fitness center on Staten Island.[21] When he was 25, he lost this job and began underwear modeling.[44]
In addition to his brothers, he has a younger sister, Melissa, who appeared as a bride in Say Yes to the Dress.[45] His brother Marc also served as the Situation's manager[46] and partner in MPS Entertainment, LLC, and Situation Nation, Inc.[47][48][49]
Legal troubles
On June 17, 2014, Sorrentino was arrested for assault after a fight with his brother at their family's tanning salon in Middletown, New Jersey.[50][51] He completed a 12-week anger management program in connection with the incident.[52]
Marriage and family
On April 26, 2018, Sorrentino announced he had become engaged to Lauren Pesce, his college sweetheart since 2004.[53][54] They married on November 1, 2018.[55] Sorrentino said in November 2019 that Pesce had suffered a miscarriage approximately seven weeks into her pregnancy.[56] On November 24, 2020, Sorrentino announced they were again expecting a child.[57] Their son was born on May 26, 2021.[58] On August 1, 2022, Sorrentino announced they were expecting their second child.[59] Their daughter was born on January 24, 2023.
On September 26, 2023, Sorrentino announced they were expecting[60][61][62] their second daughter.[63][64] Their daughter was born on March 6, 2024.[65][66][67]
Struggle with addiction
On March 21, 2012, Sorrentino publicly acknowledged that he had been struggling with an addiction to oxycodone, a prescriptionopioidpain medication. He also confirmed that he had entered rehab.[68] He checked out of the Cirque Lodge treatment center in Utah on April 4, 2012.[69] Sorrentino says he has been sober since December 2015.[70]
During the time of Jersey Shore, Sorrentino developed a drug addiction, even smuggled pills in his sneakers during the Italian season[71] and had also bought $550,000 worth of drugs.[72] From 2012, Sorrentino was in and out of rehab and has now been sober since 2015.
In November 2023, he told Entertainment Tonight, "I was into everything. I had everything on me at all times in my Louis Vuitton bag. Everything -- from a couple hundred Roxicet, which are 30 milligram oxycodone, then I'd have probably 150 Percocets on me, which are 10 milligram oxycodone. Then I would have about 100 Xanax on me, 100 Valium, and if I wasn't traveling on a plane, maybe I would have some weed and cocaine as well, 'cause I knew that if I traveled on a plane, not a good idea to try and go through security with cocaine and weed on you."[73][74]
In the fall of 2023, Sorrentino released an autobiography memoir, Reality Check: Making the Best of The Situation -- How I Overcame Addiction, Loss, and Prison, on December 13, about his struggles and personal issues.[75][76]
Tax evasion case
In September 2014, Sorrentino was charged with tax fraud for not paying taxes on $8.9 million. In April 2017, further charges were levied against Sorrentino and his brother Marc, alleging tax evasion and the structuring of bank deposits to avoid reporting thresholds.[77]
On January 17, 2019, Sorrentino's brother Marc began serving a two-year prison sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution in Fairton, New Jersey, approximately 200 miles (320 km) away from the Otisville Federal Correctional Institution.[85] He was given an early release date of September 28, 2020.[86]
^Staff. "Mike The Situation's high school yearbook photo", Life & Style, December 23, 2009, backed up by the Internet Archive as of January 26, 2010. Accessed September 28, 2019. "Mike, pictured as a high school sophomore in this yearbook photo obtained exclusively by Life & Style, attended Manalapan High School in New Jersey, graduating in 1999."
^Sorrentino, Mike (April 26, 2018). "The Future Mr & Mrs Situation". Mike Sorrentino verified Instagram page. Archived from the original on December 23, 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
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