Back-to-school season just got a major reality TV twist — and it’s coming straight from the Giudice family. Milania Giudice, daughter of Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice, is officially the face of SHEIN’s new back-to-school campaign, and she’s giving college students everywhere the ultimate dorm-room glow-up and first-day fits you’ll actually want to wear without breaking the bank.
Currently in her sophomore year at the University of Tampa, Milania knows the drill — the good, the bad, and the “I’m late for class, where’s my concealer?!” vibes. After surviving her freshman year, she wanted to help other students skip the trial-and-error and go straight to feeling prepared, stylish, and comfortable. “Freshman year I was definitely nervous ‘cause I had no idea what I was getting into, but this year I actually know,” she tells Celeb Secrets host Juliet Schroder exclusively in a virtual interview. “I wanted to use that experience and make it super easy for other college students to find stylish and affordable essentials.”
And essentials, she’s got plenty. The SHEIN x Milania collection covers everything from dorm decor and organization hacks to beauty must-haves and cozy self-care staples. “Coming into freshman year, I had no idea what to get,” she admits. “I had to ask everybody, like, ‘What do I do? What do I need?’ I just had no idea. So I wanted to make it easier for people so they’d know what to get. It’s a huge collection, and I’m in college, so it’s showing them what I like and what I’m using.”
One thing Milania learned fast? Dorms are not the vibe — at least, not at first. “A dorm room is very bland in general. When you get there, it’s not cute at all,” she spills. “So SHEIN definitely helped me jazz it up with bright colors, LED lights, throw pillows, blankets — definitely a lot of pillows need to be on your bed — and little accessories around, like mirrors and pictures, to make it feel homey and like yourself.”
Her must-have? The vanity mirror. “What do you do without a mirror? Nothing,” she laughs. “I use that mirror for everything. When I wake up in the morning, when I do my makeup — I can’t live without it.”
Organization also made the cut, because clutter kills the cozy vibe. “We had under-the-bed organization bins in the collection,” Milania explains. “They worked really well to store clothes I don’t normally wear, like when it gets a little chilly. That way I can just grab them when I need them.”
Let’s be real — every college student has those mornings when you roll out of bed five minutes before class. Milania’s lifesavers? “The concealer,” she says immediately. “If I’m late, I definitely don’t look good, so concealer, some lipstick — I can’t go anywhere without lipstick — my book bag, my planner, my pencils, and I’m out the door.”
But she’s not all rush-rush. As a self-proclaimed homebody, Milania balances the chaos with plenty of self-care. “I love spa nights in the dorm,” she shares. “Hair rollers, clips, scrunchies — especially when you want your hair to look good for the next day. And prepping my skin for the next day is part of it too.”
Of course, moving from Jersey to Florida was a big switch. “It’s very different from New Jersey,” Milania says. “I see palm trees every day when I wake up, which is amazing. My school is really pretty, so every time I’m on campus, I feel good. I’m such a homebody and I love being around my family, so I made sure I picked a school that I was comfortable at and loved. Tampa is definitely my vibe.”
And yes, her family still shows up for her. “My mom helped me move in,” she reveals. “Gia’s busy, Gabriella’s in college, and Audriana’s in high school, but everybody visits. I’m like, ‘Mom, mom, mom’ all the time,” she laughs.
Even though people may know her from reality TV, Milania wanted to build her own circle at school. “I was just there to make friends,” she says. “If people knew me, cool, but I wanted them to know me for me.” And it worked — her favorite freshman-year memories were joining her sorority and meeting the friends who even starred with her in the SHEIN campaign.
Naturally, the campaign leaned into everything trending on TikTok. “We did fit checks, GRWMs, transitions, unboxings — basically all the videos that are popular right now,” Milania says. “I love TikTok. Sometimes I just post anything because it’s fun.”
As for her For You Page? “It’s a little bit of everything,” she laughs. “Sometimes it’s me, sometimes it’s my mom, sometimes it’s Gia.”
If her dorm had its own tagline? “Welcome to the crazy,” Milania jokes. “Dorms are always hectic. College kids are coming in and out — it’s always something.”
When it comes to fashion, comfort is her ultimate rule. “I love anything comfy, and SHEIN is so comfy,” she says. “Even when I wear a dress, I feel like I’m in my nightgown, but in the best way. I hate being uncomfortable — it ruins your whole vibe.”
Of course, Tampa’s heat changed her whole wardrobe. “In Jersey, I’d wear sweatpants and sweatshirts to class,” she says. “In Tampa, you couldn’t even dare. I’d die. Now I wear workout outfits, shorts, or flowy dresses. Some girls even wear bikinis with coverups. It’s whatever your vibe is.”
Outside of curating dorm essentials, Milania’s got big goals for sophomore year. She’s majoring in advertising and PR — a choice that pushes her outside her comfort zone. “I know it sounds weird because I’m outgoing, but I get a little weird about presenting,” she admits. “My major is helping me overcome that fear.”
This year, she’s determined to stay focused. “I did really well freshman year, but I was also busy meeting people and joining my sorority,” she says. “This year, I want to work out, focus on school, and still meet new friends — but I already know I won’t be starting with zero.”
And while she’s leveling up her own campus life, Milania also wants to give other students opportunities through the SHEIN Campus Ambassador Program. “Anybody can join,” she says. “You don’t have to be an influencer. You get panels, mentoring, events, networking — it’s amazing. I’ve been telling all my friends.”
Even though she’s busy, Milania still makes time for guilty pleasures. “I love ice cream and chips,” she admits. “Basically everything unhealthy. But lately, I’ve been trying to be healthy.” And before she headed back to Tampa, she’s soaked up a ton of family time. “My favorite memory this summer was visiting my dad in The Bahamas with my cousins, aunt, and uncle,” she says. “The summer went by so fast, so I just want to hang out with my family and friends before I go back.”
So whether you’re a freshman freaking out over move-in day or a returning student ready for a reset, Milania’s SHEIN collab is here to make your dorm feel less “blah” and more main character energy.
The SHEIN x Milania collection is available now on SHEIN.com — so grab your LED lights, vanity mirror, and concealer, and show off your glow-up by tagging @shein_us with #SHEINxMilania.
For more on Milania’s latest venture, you can watch our full interview below.
Interview quotes have been condensed and edited for clarity.
