Jenni 'JWoww' Farley Says Sarah Michelle Gellar Was the Reason She Took Martial Arts as a Kid: 'She Shaped My Whole Childhood' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Jwoww and Sarah Michelle Gellar on December 11, 2024 in New York, New York.Photo:Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty; ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty

Jwoww and Sarah Michelle Gellar

Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty; ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty

A youngJenni “JWoww” Farleywas ready to help slay vampires with Buffy Summers.

Gellar, 47, has a special guest role in theDexterprequel series and appeared at the premiere. Farley confessed to PEOPLE that theBuffy the Vampire Slayerstar “shaped [her] whole childhood.”

Farley added that she’s met the actress once before but hopes to meet her again because it would “be a dream come true.”

Jenni “JWoww” Farley on December 11, 2024 in New York, New York.Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty

Jenni “JWoww” Farley at “Dexter: Original Sin” Premiere at SVA Theatre on December 11, 2024 in New York, New York.

Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty

Along with being a fan of Gellar, Farley told PEOPLE that she’s a “huge fan” of the originalDexterseries, which aired on Showtime from 2006 to 2013. The eight-season series starredMichael C. Hallas the forensic blood spatter technician with a secret life as a vigilante serial killer.

“I watched it in real-time, and then I fell in love with it, obviously,” she told PEOPLE.

She also introduced herfiancéZack Clayton Carpinelloand costarNicole ‘Snooki’ Polizzito the series. “Nicole became a superfan," she said.

Farley revealed that Polizzi, 37, couldn’t attend the premiere and wanted to ensure she didn’t receive any spoilers, soshe left the group chatwith Farley. “She was so mad,” Farley said. “[She said,] ‘Bye, I can’t know any spoilers.’ "

Sarah Michelle Gellar Stars In"Buffy The Vampire Slayer”.Getty

Sarah Michelle Gellar Stars In “Buffy The Vampire Slayer.

Getty

Gellar, best known for her role as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, stars in the newDexterseries as Tanya Martin, the CSI chief at the Miami Metro Police Department and Dexter’s new boss at a forensics internship.

Sarah Michelle Gellar in New York, December 11, 2024.ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty

Sarah Michelle Gellar

ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty

Slater, 55, stars as Dexter’s father, Harry, and Dempsey, 58, stars as Miami Metro Homicide Captain Aaron Spencer.Patrick Gibsonstars as the lead, Dexter Morgan as he “transitions from student to avenging serial killer,” per the official synopsis.

“When his bloodthirsty urges can’t be ignored any longer, Dexter must learn to channel his inner darkness,” according to the synopsis. “With the guidance of his father, Harry he adopts a Code designed to help him find and kill people who deserve to be eliminated from society without getting on law enforcement’s radar. This is a particular challenge for young Dexter as he begins a forensics internship at the Miami Metro Police Department.”

Never miss a story — sign up forto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter

Dexter: Original Sinpremieres on Paramount+ with Showtime on Friday, Dec. 13, and new episodes will drop every Friday until Jan. 31.

source: people.com