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Can you believe we are halfway through Season 2 of Bravo’s hit series The Valley? While the first part of the season focused primarily on the breakdown of Jax Taylor’s and Brittany Cartwright’s marriage and Taylor’s decision to check into a mental health facility, the rest of the group’s drama is now taking center stage. Fresh off a separation from his estranged wife Michelle Saniei, Jesse Lally struggles with life as a single dad. His relationship with Saniei is strained, though they are working on their unresolved issues. “Michelle has this way of triggering me,” said Lally.
A dad of three kids under three (soon to be four kids under four), actor Danny Booko and his pregnant wife, Nia Sanchez Booko, are trying to keep up with their growing family while balancing their careers and searching for a new home. Because of that pressure, Booko naturally likes to let off steam and drink—perhaps a bit too much sometimes—on those rare nights away from the children. “Nobody knows what it means to be tired if you don’t have kids,” said Booko with a smile. “It’s great, but it’s so demanding.”
On the cast’s recent trip to Santa Barbara, both men were in the hot seat. Lally was roasted by the group during their winey visit after he called Saniei a “hooker” during a heated argument. “She was calling me a disaster, loser, things like that. She just has a way of getting under my skin,” explained Lally. “At this point, we were only a month from her filing for divorce, and I wasn’t in the right mindset to take accountability and apologize.” It’s clear that Lally isn’t happy with how he behaved in that moment. “I regret a lot of things about that experience,” said Lally.
In an effort to catch up with his friends after a long day of work and dad duty, Booko drank too much at the outing and later passed out, something he admits. “I was obviously intoxicated,” said Booko. “It was hot that day [and] wine makes you kind of sleepy. I would have taken a nap regardless.” While he was sleeping, his wife had to deal with the group’s accusations about his drinking. “My biggest regret is not being able to be there to defend myself and Nia having to do that on my behalf,” said Booko. “People were trying to cause drama and turn a molehill into a mountain.”
Lally and Booko stopped by the Decider studio to talk about the season so far, how they are supporting Taylor with his continued sobriety, and how they really feel about the reunion seating.
DECIDER: This season has really been a rollercoaster ride, and we’re only five episodes in. What has it been like reliving everything on the screen?
JESSE LALLY: It’s hard. You film it, you fight about it, talk about it. We’ve already seen all the episodes because we’ve taped our reunion already. So, we’re reliving it all for a third time as the show airs.
DANNY BOOKO: Those first couple episodes, especially Episode 2, were really hard to watch with the Jax and Brittany stuff. It was dark. I was like, “isn’t this show supposed to be like a guilty pleasure for people?” [Laughs] I was like, “Holy Cow!” It’s interesting to watch the episodes back and relive those moments.
JL: My first season, I knew the focus of my story was going to be my and Michelle’s issues. This time around, I had no clue. It’s interesting to see what other people are saying about you and their takes on different situations.
Danny, you’re almost a dad of four. How are you helping Nia in these final weeks of her pregnancy?
DB: Four kids under four… it’s coming quick! [Laughs] Nia’s obviously been absolutely great. Her mind’s there, but her body is physically just very tired. I’m just supporting her the best I can. We actually just moved into our new house in Santa Clarita. Its so amazing having the big yard and the pool and see the kids out there having that space. The move is bringing us so much joy.
Bravo Jesse, you have been dating your girlfriend Lacey for a little over a year. How are things going?
JL: Things are going well. Have she and Michelle reached a better place? JL: They don’t really speak. They have had a lot of conversations, especially at the beginning, to set boundaries mother to mother. We’re very close to the end of the divorce. I have a decent relationship with [Michelle’s partner] Aaron. I think we’re closer now than ever before to being all friends someday. Isabella has her ballet recital coming up, and we got tickets together.
I’m legitimately happy to hear that! Danny, you made it to the trip in last week’s episode – but you lasted only so long before you crashed , leaving everyone to ask questions about your drinking. Is there anything that was said while you were asleep that you’d like to clear up?
DB: Not really. I had worked the day before and didn’t get back until 1 in the morning, and then was up at 5:30 getting our three kids ready before the nanny got there. I then had to go to work before heading out to winery to have some fun with the group. It was hot that day. Also, I don’t know if you know this, but wine makes you kind of sleepy [laughs]. I would have taken a nap regardless. It probably wouldn’t have been that long, but I was obviously intoxicated.
It was clear you were trying to cut loose on a rare weekend away from the kids. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.
DB: Same. Also, nobody knows what it means to be tired if you don’t have kids. It’s great, but it’s so demanding. My biggest regret is not being able to be there to defend myself and Nia having to do that on my behalf. I think people were trying to cause drama and turn a molehill into a mountain.
Jesse, you and Michelle really got into it at the winery. Why did you call her a hooker?
JL: Michelle has this way of triggering me. She was calling me a disaster, loser, things like that. She just has a way of getting under my skin. Also, you have to remember, this was a year ago. At this point, we were only two months from her moving out and a month from her filing for divorce. We were just going tit for tat. I wasn’t in the right mindset to take accountability and apologize. I regret a lot of things about that experience. It just was bad timing to have that conversation, and we both became very reactive, which is something I’d worked on. Only Michelle can make me act like that.
After a season of denial, Michelle finally admitted that she had ventured outside of your marriage. Was it validating for you to hear that on camera?
JL: She had told me before we started filming, but she still wasn’t taking accountability fully. I didn’t feel validated because it still hurts. It hurt when I first found out about it, and it hurts every time I think about it. As the season goes on, there are a lot more questions about what she did. Was it just one person? Was it two people? Was Aaron involved? You’ll see it play out.
Jesse, do you regret texting Jax about the Santa Barbara trip?
JL: I don’t regret telling him. Danny and I would check in on him almost every single day and offer words of affirmation so that he would stay in there. I didn’t want him to find out about the Santa Barbara trip through social media and take anything out on the group or Brittany. I thought it was important to be upfront with him and just be truthful because he is my friend.
Bravo It’s clear that both of you have been there for Jax throughout his sobriety journey. How’s he doing?
DB: I’m very proud of him, coming out publicly and talking about his addictions. It seems like he’s finally making the sacrifices and the right choices for himself and his son, Cruz.
JL: Yeah, I think he’s 170-ish days sober. He’s really focused on physical health and mental health. I’ve seen positive changes in him. He’s really trying to work on himself, work on his friendships, and then eventually, I think, work on this relationship with Brittany.
Before my time runs out, I want to talk about the reunion seating. Jesse, you are next to Jax in the second seat. Did you feel that was an appropriate space for you?
JL: Honestly, until I walked on that stage I had no idea where I would be seated. At the end of the day, it’s very difficult. We have couples, we have individuals, we had certain people that weren’t getting along. I don’t really put a lot of importance on the seating arrangement.
Danny, you’re next to Nia, second from the end. How did you feel about that space?
DB: I mean, I’m just blown away with how it got so much attention. This was my first reunion. I didn’t know that every seat means something [laughs]. I was fine. I sat where my wife told me to sit.
And did you feel better or worse having gone through the reunion?
DB: I don’t want to get into too much of it, but you know, not everything was resolved.
JL: You’re going to see some resolution. You’re going see a lot of conversations. There are a lot of episodes still to come. You have to see how the season plays out before you see how the reunion plays out.
Fair enough. Is there anything you can tease about the rest of the season?
DB: Just buckle up [laughs]. Hawaii is a good trip for everybody. There are some amazing moments there. Obviously, Kristen and Luke got engaged.
JL: There are a couple of episodes in Hawaii that are really nice. You’ll definitely see more highs and lows throughout the whole season.
The Valley airs Tuesdays on Bravo at 9/8c
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