Deena Nicole Cortese

Deena Nicole Buckner ( Cortese; born January 12, 1987) is an American reality television personality who appeared on the MTV reality show Jersey Shore from 2010 to 2012 and is currently on Jersey Shore: Family Vacation. Early life Cortese was born in the New Egypt section of Plumsted Township, New Jersey to Italian-American parents John (1949–2016) and Joan Cortese. She graduated from New Egypt High School where she did both cheerleading and dance, and briefly attended Brookdale Community College. Joanie Maiorella is Cortese's older sister that had been put up for adoption and lived down the road from them. Deena learned of this when she was 7 and met her sister there after. Joanie was seen in multiple episodes throughout season five of Jersey Shore. Career Cortese was a cast member on the reality TV series Jersey Shore. Deena had originally auditioned for season 1, but had to decline the offer due to a family emergency; however, she was cast by MTV when Angelina Pivarnick left the show after season two, and Snooki suggested her as a replacement. She joined the cast in season three, which filmed in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. In 2014, Cortese appeared on Couples Therapy.