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The recent drama involving Real Housewives of New Jersey star Jennifer Aydin and Jersey Mike’s has sparked a lot of discussion, but the reality star is now setting the record straight. Speaking with Us Weekly, Jennifer opened up about the viral incident, clarifying her side of the story and addressing the backlash she received.
What Happened at Jersey Mike’s?
The incident unfolded during a holiday trip when Jennifer and her family were at an airport Jersey Mike’s location. According to Jennifer Aydin, the situation escalated after she felt that she was being treated unfairly by the staff, leading to a viral video where she captured the confrontation.
“Hindsight is 20/20, but I did not think it was going to go that way,” Jennifer shared. “Not at all.”
Jennifer explained that she and her family—who were traveling in a large group—had already been through TSA and were in a rush to grab food before boarding their flight. “We’re a big group. I’m a family of seven,” she said. “We met up with my cousin who’s another family of six. … We’re 15 people, not to mention the other two families that were meeting up with us at the airport.”
With tensions running high and everyone eager to get food quickly, Jennifer Aydin said that she and her cousin, Susie, joined the line early in the morning, right after the Jersey Mike’s location had opened. “We’re already been waiting. We’re at an airport, we have a flight to catch,” she explained, adding that the process was slow-moving but she was trying to stay calm.
The Turning Point: “You Have to Wait Your Turn”
The situation escalated when a fellow customer was served before Jennifer, even though she had been in line first. Jennifer recalled politely pointing out the issue to the employee. “I reminded the employee. I’m like, ‘Hey, did you do my Italian?’ And she was like, ‘You have to wait your turn.’ I said, ‘Oh, but you did hers before mine and I was before her.’”
As the situation progressed, Jennifer said that her frustration grew, especially when she tried to add an additional order for her child. “I said to the employee, ‘OK, sweetie, I’m going to need another mini tuna.’ She goes, ‘Oh no, you have to get to the back of the line.’”
It was at this point that another customer—whom Jennifer Aydin didn’t initially notice—joined the line behind her. He allegedly made an unpleasant remark, claiming it was “kind of ridiculous” that she was adding another sandwich. This comment, Jennifer said, shocked and upset her. “I am literally so shocked and disgusted by this man’s behavior,” she expressed.
The Viral Video and the Backlash
In a moment of frustration, Jennifer decided to film the interaction. “The whole point of me recording—I know it backfired—was to show that I was not snapping,” Jennifer explained. She went on to say that the video was meant to capture the situation from her perspective, with no intention of causing drama. “I’m just recording the window. At that point, the guy is not even in my thing.”
However, the video quickly went viral, sparking criticism from both the public and Jersey Mike’s fans. Jennifer admits she didn’t handle the situation in the best way. “I realized that I should have done it in a different manner,” she confessed. “It could have landed a little differently, and I’m learning now not to do things in the heat of the moment.”
Jennifer’s Apology and Reflection
Jennifer also apologized for some of the things she said in her original post, particularly the comments she made about the staff’s age. “I was not a celebrity in that moment,” she said. “I was an angry mom.” She admitted to regretting calling the staff “rude” and acknowledged that the video rant wasn’t the best way to express her frustration.
“I wanted to put it on blast to show how rude they were to me,” Jennifer continued. “I didn’t go about it the right way. I acknowledge that, but I was not rude to the staff in the moment.”
She also reflected on the larger issue of her celebrity status, admitting that she should be more mindful of her actions as a public figure. “I’m learning now that I have to realize that I’m a public figure and that everything that I say or do will be scrutinized,” Jennifer said. “I actually have to lead by example.”
Moving Forward: No Plans to Reach Out to Jersey Mike’s
Despite the fallout from the video, Jennifer Aydin made it clear that she doesn’t plan to reach out to Jersey Mike’s or the man in line behind her. “I’m not going to,” she said, adding that she felt the situation had been exaggerated for the sake of monetizing the drama. “They’re constantly blasting me… At last, some good will come to them from this.”
Jennifer Aydin also admitted that while she regrets how the situation played out, she feels she deserves an apology. “I felt [I] was owed an apology from Jersey Mike’s and the man in line behind me,” she said. However, she made it clear that she has no plans to initiate any further contact.
Final Thoughts
As Jennifer Aydin reflects on the entire experience, it’s clear that she’s learned from the fallout. “It was wrong for me to go in my stories and then bash their bad customer service,” she admitted. “I’m learning now that I’m not allowed to complain. It’s not entitled. This is not privilege. I’m a paying customer.”
