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Entertainment • Reality TV

Snooki

Snooki is the nickname of Nicole Elizabeth LaValle (née Polizzi), an American reality television personality.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Snooki is the nickname of Nicole Elizabeth LaValle (née Polizzi), an American reality television personality. She is best known for appearing on MTV's Jersey Shore and for later starring in its spin-offs Snooki & Jwoww and Jersey Shore: Family Vacation.

Early life

Snooki was born Nicole Elizabeth Polizzi in Santiago, Chile, on November 23, 1987. She later became known publicly by the nickname Snooki.

Career

She became widely known through MTV's Jersey Shore, which made her a prominent reality television figure. She later returned in related MTV spin-offs, including Snooki & Jwoww and Jersey Shore: Family Vacation.

Public image

Snooki became a recognizable pop-culture personality associated with Jersey Shore's cast and its broad media attention. Her nickname became the name most commonly used in entertainment coverage.

Personal life

After marriage, she used the surname LaValle. Public sources identify her as having children, though the provided results vary in how many are mentioned.

Key facts

  • Snooki is the stage name of Nicole Elizabeth LaValle, née Polizzi.
  • She gained fame as a cast member of MTV's Jersey Shore.
  • She later appeared in the spin-offs Snooki & Jwoww and Jersey Shore: Family Vacation.
  • She was born in Santiago, Chile, on November 23, 1987.
  • Sources describe her as an American reality television personality.
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Canadian context

Snooki is best known in Canada through the international broadcast and popularity of MTV's Jersey Shore and related reality television coverage.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Snooki?
Snooki is the nickname of Nicole Elizabeth LaValle (née Polizzi), an American reality television personality best known for Jersey Shore.
What show made Snooki famous?
She became widely known as a cast member of MTV's Jersey Shore.
What is Snooki's real name?
Her real name is Nicole Elizabeth LaValle, née Polizzi.
Where was Snooki born?
She was born in Santiago, Chile.
What spin-offs did Snooki appear in?
She appeared in Snooki & Jwoww and Jersey Shore: Family Vacation.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snooki
    Supports: Full name, nickname, birth date, nationality, and primary association with Jersey Shore and spin-offs.
  2. Nicole Polizzi official biography — https://nicolepolizzi.com/biography/
    Supports: Career overview, Jersey Shore debut, and later spin-off appearances.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3725472/
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, marriage to Jionni LaValle, and children.