RONNIE Ortiz-Magro made an emotional return to Jersey Shore, breaking down as he reflected on his relationship with his costars.
The reality star previously stepped away from the beloved MTV reality show to "seek medical treatment for mental health issues" after a domestic violence arrest in 2021.
During Thursday's episode Jersey Shore: Family Vacation, the networks cameras caught up with Ronnie at his Las Vegas home.
The New Jersey native revealed that he was planning a trip back to the East Coast and was hopeful that he might be able to connect with his costars.
He did not meet up with the full cast, but did sit down with Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino, for lunch.
The duo enjoyed a heartfelt chat, connecting about their now shared sobriety.
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After Ronnie revealed that he has being focusing on "being the best father I can be," and "working on being the best friend I can be," Mike inquired: "Are you eager to sit down with everyone else?"
The previously embattled Jersey Shore star was adamant that he would like to in time, but didn't want to push it.
In a confessional, he delved deeper into his desire to reconnect with his former roommates, crying as he spoke.
Wiping tears from his face, he said: "I definitely miss the roommates. This has been one of the hardest years that I've ever had to face and I've been through some s**t. I f**ked up and I understand."
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He continued: "That's part of recovery as well. What matters is that I got through it and I'm gonna continue to get through it."
Although Ronnie was not shown getting emotional in front of Mike, it appears his costar understood his friend's struggle.
"I went through very similar things in my early sobriety," he said in a confessional of his own.
HE'S BACK
In April, it was confirmed that Ronnie was filming Jersey Shore.
At the time, a source told the U.S. Sun that he had "quietly been filming since late January or early February of this year. The cast members initially weren't sure he would be returning at all for the season."
Several cast members were reportedly "less than thrilled" about Ronnie's return to the show after he was arrested twice for alleged domestic violence.
Until that point, it was unclear if Ronnie would come back to Jersey Shore.
He claimed to TMZ late last year that he was ready to come back.
He said at the time: "I feel great, man. Four months sober, quit drinking."
Ronnie also revealed he is "living the good life" with his fiancé Saffire Matos and his three-year-old daughter, Ariana, whom he shares with his ex Jen Harley.
LEGAL BATTLE
Ronnie was arrested in April 2021 for an incident of alleged domestic violence involving Saffire.
At the time, he was still on probation for a 2019 arrest for the same crime, which involved ex Jenn Harley.
Ronnie was facing a potential 30 days jail time, however, the judge let the him walk free and instead ordered him to take 26 parenting classes.
The judge also placed him under a three-year protective order under which he is prohibited from harassing or intimidating Saffire.
The court acknowledged he had completed a rehab program in Florida, thereby allowing him to avoid jail time.
Ronnie stepped away from the show after the incident.
He took to his Instagram Stories in May 2021 after the incident and revealed to fans that he would not be filming upcoming episodes of Jersey Shore.
His statement read: "After talking to the team at MTV, we have mutually agreed that I will step away from the show while I seek medical treatment for mental health issues that I've ignored too long.
Read More on The US Sun
Read More on The US Sun
"My number one goal now is facing my struggles head on."
Ronnie concluded: "This process will be difficult, but my #1 priority is to get healthy and be the best man and the best father I can for my daughter."
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