‘Jersey Shore’ star Ronnie Ortiz-Magro reveals why he was “nodding off” in concerning interview clip, blames side effects of depression medication
Ronnie Ortiz-Magro has broken his silence after he appeared to nod off during a recent interview with his Jersey Shore Family Vacation castmates.
In a lengthy statement posted to his Instagram Story, Ortiz-Magro detailed his “mental health struggles,” sharing that he battles “depression, bipolar and anxiety in silence” every day. According to Ortiz-Magro, his concerning behavior during the cast’s interview with SiriusXM was a side effect of prescription medication he had taken to ease his symptoms.
“I have tried very hard to not let any of my symptoms impact how I show up for my Jersey Shore family and the fans,” he wrote on his Instagram Story. “Last week, what you saw during that interview was evidence of my ongoing struggle. Some recent emotional events had begun to wear on me. Medication has helped me manage my symptoms, but it can have side effects.”
“Typically, I can work through the effects in private,” he continued. “Wanting to be with my castmates for a press tour celebration at the same time as carrying this weight required me to work through the effects in a public setting; as a result, I was taped nodding off, which started rumors and accusations.”
He added, “I thought I could be strong enough to get through it, but what you saw was me trying to battle through one of my toughest moments. I pushed myself to try to show up for other people when I just needed to show up for myself.”
As a result, Ortiz-Magro said he learned that “no matter the situation, event, or circumstances,” he has to put his “mental health first” and “prioritize” his own care “no matter what.”
The Jersey Shore veteran thanked those who “rallied” for him and saw “past the rumors,” seemingly referring to the online speculation that he had taken illicit substances heading into the press day. He encouraged others going through similar struggles to continue reaching out and sharing their experiences.
“Thank you again to everyone who sent their prayers and love!” he said. “It means more at a time like this more than I can explain. If you know anyone suffering from mental health-related difficulties, please be kind and patient.”
Ortiz-Magro has been open about his struggles with mental health in recent years. After taking some time off from Jersey Shore Family Vacation to seek professional help in 2021, Ortiz-Magro returned to the show one year sober in 2022.
Before the cast’s interview with SiriusXM, Ortiz-Magro opened up to DECIDER about his ongoing mental health struggles, sharing that it took him hitting “rock bottom” to realize he needed to be better for his eight-year-old daughter, Ariana.
“Things in life come at you, but it’s also how you handle things,” he said. “That’s basically my mentality. Things are always going to be coming at me. I deal with my own mental health issues on a daily basis, but it’s how you handle things. And that’s basically what I’ve learned.”
Jersey Shore Family Vacation Season 9 premieres this Thursday, May 7 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on MTV.
If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, call or text the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) hotline at 800-950-NAMI (6264).
