“Jersey Shore” star Ronnie Ortiz-Magro shared a heartbreaking message about dealing with “high-functioning depression” after he sparked concern for appearing to fall asleep during a cast interview.
Taking to his Instagram Stories on Monday, the message read, “High functioning depression is waking up each day with a face that works but a heart that doesn’t, doing everything you’re supposed to do while feeling nothing inside, and most days it’s like being trapped in your own life, forced to keep moving even when every part of you wants to stop.”
In his own words, Ortiz-Magro added, “Whoever needed this today! You’re not alone.”
On the next slide, Ortiz-Magro shared a post about May being Mental Health Awareness Month, writing, “If you know anyone suffering. Be kind!!”
The 40-year-old reality star also posted a video interview of NBA player Kyrie Irving saying, “It’s OK to be human. Like, I don’t have to be perfect for anyone here nor do I have to be perfect for the public.”
Irving added, “So I’m not here to dispel any perception. I’m just here to be myself.”
Alongside the clip, Ortiz-Magro wrote, “The disease doesn’t discriminate. Famous, athletes, single parents.”
During an April 21 SiriusXM interview, Ortiz-Magro could be seen struggling to keep his eyes open and slouching as co-star Deena Nicole Cortese spoke about “Jersey Shore: Family Vacation” ending after nine seasons.
Ortiz-Magro swayed on his stool as co-star Michael “The Situation” Sorrentino said the cast was “grateful” to MTV for putting them on TV for so long.
Sorrentino, 44, shared a statement about Ortiz-Magro’s behavior on Friday, admitting that his “heart is heavy” over the viral video.
“While I do not know the full extent of what he may be going through, I do know it is separate from my path,” said Sorrentino, who has been sober for over ten years. “I will help where I can, including through my organization, the Archangel Centers.”
Sorrentino also confirmed he “reached out” to “check on” Ortiz-Magro, but is “still waiting to hear back” from his co-star.
“If he is willing, I will be there for him. My heart is with anyone who is struggling,” he added.
Ortiz-Magro stepped away from filming the “Jersey Shore” reboot in 2021 after his domestic violence arrest. He was ordered to parenting classes and placed under a three-year protective order from his ex Jen Harley, with whom he shares daughter Ariana Sky Magro, 8.
In 2022, Ortiz-Magro announced that he was one year sober.
“It’s been a long year,” he told Sorrentino when he made a guest appearance on the show. “It’s been a lot of just doing the right thing, being a full-time dad, and being sober. I’m living the best life I can, one day at a time.”
Ortiz-Magro officially returned to the reality series three years later.
If you or someone you care about is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
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