Ever since Jersey Shore turned him into a reality television star, Vinny Guadagnino’s dating life has remained a major source of fan curiosity. That interest reached another level when MTV launched the TV show Double Shot at Love with DJ Pauly D and Vinny in 2019, giving Vinny and fellow Jersey Shore star Pauly D the chance to find relationships through a reality dating competition.
Over three seasons, viewers watched Vinny navigate romantic connections, awkward breakups, emotional finales, and difficult post-show relationships. Unlike Pauly D, who ultimately found long-term love with Nikki Hall through the series, Vinny’s journey proved far more complicated. His final choices on the show often struggled once filming ended, leading many fans to wonder whether any of the relationships were truly built to last outside the reality TV environment.
So who exactly did Vinny Guadagnino choose on Double Shot at Love? The answer depends on which season viewers remember most. Here is a full breakdown of Vinny’s final picks, what happened after filming, and where those relationships stand now.
Vinny Guadagnino Chose Alysse Joyner in Season 1
During Season 1 of the TV show Double Shot at Love, Vinny Guadagnino narrowed his final decision down to Elle Wilson and Alysse Joyner. In the finale episode, Vinny ultimately chose Alysse as his winner.
Throughout the season, Vinny appeared strongly attracted to Alysse almost immediately. Their chemistry developed steadily compared to some of the more chaotic relationships in the house, and many viewers predicted early that she would become his final choice.
In interviews after the finale aired, Vinny explained that he felt especially comfortable with Alysse and believed their personalities connected naturally. However, the relationship quickly ran into problems once filming ended.
Because reality dating shows often film months before episodes air, contestants must keep their relationships secret during that period. Vinny later admitted the long gap between filming and public airing created serious strain on the relationship. He described things becoming “a little rocky” after production wrapped.
Alysse herself later expressed frustration publicly, suggesting Vinny stopped communicating consistently after filming. Fans noticed tension during the reunion special, where it became obvious the relationship had already fallen apart by the time the finale aired. Ultimately, Vinny and Alysse did not remain together long-term.
One major reason Vinny and Alysse struggled after Double Shot at Love was the unusual structure of reality television dating.
Unlike traditional relationships that grow privately, reality TV romances often develop under intense filming schedules and emotional pressure. Once cameras disappear, contestants suddenly have to transition into real-world dating without the excitement and constant interaction created by production.
Vinny openly acknowledged that challenge in interviews after the finale. He explained that months passed where they could not fully behave like a public couple because the show had not aired yet. That separation made it difficult for the relationship to develop naturally.
Fans also noticed that Vinny seemed hesitant about serious commitment throughout much of the season. While he clearly liked Alysse, viewers often described him as emotionally cautious compared to some contestants who became deeply attached quickly.
The breakup also reinforced a pattern that later continued through Vinny’s future appearances on dating shows: strong on-screen chemistry did not always translate into lasting relationships once real life resumed.
Season 2 Shifted Away From Traditional Dating
Season 2 of Double Shot at Love changed formats significantly. Instead of functioning strictly as a dating competition, the second season focused more on cast members living and working together in Las Vegas. Several returning contestants from Season 1 joined Vinny and Pauly D while working at Drai’s nightclub.
During this period, many fans became invested in Vinny’s connection with Maria Elizondo. Their flirtation and emotional tension became one of the season’s biggest storylines.
However, Vinny and Maria never officially entered a long-term relationship on the show. Although viewers frequently rooted for them, the connection remained inconsistent and emotionally complicated throughout the season.
The finale hinted that Vinny and Maria might explore their chemistry further outside the show. But no serious public relationship ultimately developed between them afterward.
This season further strengthened the perception among fans that Vinny struggled to fully commit romantically despite clearly wanting companionship.
Vinny Chose Akielia Rucker in Season 3
In 2021, MTV rebooted the dating competition format for Season 3, this time focusing entirely on Vinny finding love while Pauly D and Nikki Hall acted as mentors.
By the finale, Vinny narrowed his decision down to several finalists before ultimately choosing Akielia Rucker.
Akielia stood out during the season because of her confidence, maturity, and strong connection with Vinny. She also reportedly impressed Vinny’s family, particularly his mother, who valued Akielia’s ambition and interest in building a future family.
During the finale, Vinny asked Akielia to continue exploring their relationship outside the show, giving the impression that he might finally have found a lasting connection.
Fans initially reacted positively to the pairing, especially because Akielia appeared emotionally grounded and genuinely interested in Vinny beyond television exposure. However, the relationship again struggled once filming ended.
Vinny and Akielia Broke Up Shortly After Filming
Only weeks after the Season 3 finale aired, Vinny confirmed publicly that he and Akielia were no longer together.
In an interview with HollywoodLife, Vinny explained that the relationship changed once they returned to normal life outside the controlled environment of the show. He stated that they ultimately worked better as friends than romantic partners.
Fans had already suspected a breakup because neither Vinny nor Akielia posted much about each other publicly after the finale aired. Social media activity often becomes one of the first clues reality TV audiences use to track post-show relationships.
The breakup reinforced the growing perception that Vinny’s personality and lifestyle might simply not align well with traditional reality dating show structures.
Unlike Pauly D, whose relationship with Nikki Hall evolved naturally over multiple seasons, Vinny often appeared more emotionally reserved and hesitant about rushing into serious commitments.
Why Vinny’s Relationships on the Show Never Lasted
Part of what made Vinny Guadagnino’s journey on Double Shot at Love so fascinating was how realistic his dating struggles sometimes felt compared to typical reality TV romances.
Unlike contestants who quickly declare love for dramatic television moments, Vinny often appeared genuinely cautious about relationships. Throughout multiple seasons, he openly discussed fears about commitment, trust, and compatibility.
His personality also contrasted strongly with Pauly D’s more outgoing and emotionally direct style. While Pauly eventually formed a stable relationship with Nikki Hall through the show, Vinny repeatedly struggled to transition reality TV chemistry into long-term dating.
Several interviews suggested Vinny found the post-show secrecy period especially difficult. Reality dating contestants often cannot publicly acknowledge relationships for months while episodes air, creating emotional distance before couples even begin real-world dating properly.
That issue affected both his relationship with Alysse and, later, his connection with Akielia.
Fans also noticed that Vinny frequently seemed more comfortable in flirtation and friendship dynamics than in serious emotional vulnerability.
Is Vinny Guadagnino Currently Dating Anyone?
As of 2026, Vinny Guadagnino has not publicly confirmed a long-term relationship following Double Shot at Love.
Although the reality star continues appearing on television through projects like Jersey Shore: Family Vacation, his dating life remains relatively private compared to earlier MTV storylines.
Over the years, fans have continued speculating about possible relationships involving Vinny, but no officially confirmed public girlfriend has emerged following his breakup with Akielia.
His journey on Double Shot at Love ultimately became less about finding permanent romance and more about documenting the real difficulties of dating under public scrutiny.
For many viewers, that honesty made Vinny’s storyline more relatable than some reality dating success stories. Even though none of his final relationships lasted, the series still revealed a more emotionally vulnerable side of the longtime Jersey Shore personality.
Since Double Shot at Love ended, Vinny Guadagnino has continued speaking openly about his evolving views on relationships. In various interviews and podcast appearances, he has explained that his experiences on reality TV made him more self-aware about what he actually wants in a partner. Rather than rushing into something for the sake of television or public expectations, Vinny has emphasized the importance of genuine compatibility, timing, and emotional readiness.
He has also suggested that dating in the public eye adds pressure that can distort natural relationship development. According to Vinny, constantly being watched by cameras and judged by audiences can make it difficult to build something authentic. This perspective helps explain why his connections on the show, while real in the moment, often struggled once they entered everyday life without production support.
Even without a lasting relationship from the show, Vinny’s journey continues resonating with fans because it reflects real-world dating challenges. Unlike many reality dating stars who leave with engagements or long-term partners, Vinny’s experience highlights how chemistry alone does not guarantee long-term success.
Viewers often relate to his hesitation, emotional growth, and occasional indecision because those traits mirror common modern dating struggles. In a way, his story feels more grounded than typical reality TV endings. Instead of a perfect fairytale conclusion, his experience shows that finding the right relationship can take time, patience, and self-understanding, even for someone constantly surrounded by potential partners.
