The first official photo of Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi’s newborn son, Lorenzo, has been released – the “Jersey Shore” star appears with her baby on the cover of People, marking the first time she is featured on the front of the magazine as its main story subject.
The picture shows the 24-year-old, once dubbed “America’s No. 1 Party Girl” by Rolling Stone, wearing heavy makeup and grinning as she holds her child, who has his eyes closed and is wearing what appears to be a white onesie with an illustration of a crucifix. Lorenzo’s father is her fiance, Jionni LaValle.
Check out 9 fun facts about Snooki, “Jersey Shore” and her fame.
Gracing the cover of People magazine is a high honor in the entertainment world, where reality stars have for years been snubbed as “D-Listers” when compared to actors and singers who have won Oscars, Emmys, Grammys and Tonys. Reality stars who have appeared on the front of People in the past include Kim Kardashian and Heidi Montag of “The Hills.”
Reality shows are nowadays among the most-watched programs among teenagers and young adults, advertisers’ coveted demographic. Snooki, who gave birth on August 26, is among the most mocked but also among the most known celebrities. She become a household name as the breakout star of “Jersey Shore,” MTV’s most successful reality show.
The show showcases her and her fellow “Guido” and “Guidette” friends’ wild, partying hijinks. MTV recently announced that “Jersey Shore” will end after the upcoming sixth season, which premieres on October 4, while Snooki will continue to star in it but live separately from her cast members. She will also continue to appear in its spin-off, “Snooki & JWOWW,” which has been renewed for season 2.
Snooki was pregnant while filming the ongoing first season of the new series and showcased a tamer demeanor on-screen. She told People: “When I got pregnant, everything changed. The partying is long gone. I’m a new person.”
Snooki announced her pregnancy via a Us Weekly cover story in March. Days after Snooki gave birth, the magazine paparazzi photos of her leaving the hospital in a wheelchair and holding her baby while covering his head were posted online.
People reported in its cover story that she underwent more than 24 of labor before she gave birth to her child, whose full name is Lorenzo Dominic LaValle. His middle name honors her late uncle.
“I love you! ‘@JLaValle: I’m blessed!! #Nicole&Lorenzo'” Snooki Tweeted on Wednesday.”
(Pictured above: Snooki appears with her baby on the cover of People magazine’s Sept. 17, 2012 issue. / Snooki and fiance Jionni LaValle appear in a photo posted on the reality star’s official Twitter page on Jan. 28, 2012.)