Jesse Lally’s latest rumor about his estranged wife has pushed Michelle Saniei over the edge.
On the episode aired on Tuesday, April 29, of the show The Valley, Brittany Cartwright informed her close friend about a shocking rumor. She revealed, “Jesse claimed that you are involved with a billionaire and getting paid $1,500 per night.”
Moments after hearing the accusation, Michelle, 38, broke down in tears — during a birthday party at Dave & Buster’s.
Reacting to the news, Michelle expressed her disbelief and distress. Through tears, she exclaimed, “How dare he! He is a terrible person. I am trembling because despite everything, I ended the marriage to escape this situation, and now he is causing me even more difficulties.”
While Brittany, 36, and Nia Sanchez tried to calm their friend and costar down, Michelle remained visibly upset.
“I just want to f***ing get divorced and never talk to him again,” she said. “I hate him. I try. I can’t do it anymore.”
Since the launch of the first season of The Valley in March 2024, it was reported by Us Weekly that Michelle and her former partner, Jesse, aged 43, had decided to separate after almost six years of being married. Subsequently, the cameras have been documenting the challenges the couple faces as they navigate co-parenting their 4-year-old daughter, Isabella.
While trying to celebrate Janet Caperna’s birthday at Dave & Buster’s, Michelle couldn’t help but question why Jesse would say such a wild allegation – in a group text filled with men.
“I have a boyfriend. Maybe he wants Aaron [Nosler] and I to break up,” she said. “I always think that I can’t be surprised by what he does.”
So how did this rumor even begin? Earlier in the episode, Danny Booko revealed to Luke Broderick that the infamous men’s group chat recently included a text from Jesse claiming Michelle was “sleeping with a billionaire for $1,500 a night.”
Luke went on to tell Kristen Doute, Zack Wickham and Brittany. As one of Michelle’s closest friends, Brittany couldn’t stay quiet and decided to share the news with her gal pal.
“You know Jesse saying this is obviously s***,” Luke said in a confessional. “Did it make me smile and laugh? A little bit but it’s going to get out.”
While Kristen, 42, hasn’t seen eye-to-eye with Michelle, even she wasn’t impressed with Jesse’s text claim.
“I don’t like Michelle,” she shared. “But I don’t like Jesse acting like she’s a hooker.”
Perhaps Brittany had the greatest assessment of the situation when she slammed the group chat as men who are “just dumbasses.”
“If you want your divorce to go more smoothly,” she said, “maybe start by not accusing your not ex-wife yet of being a freakin’ hooker.”
The Valley airs on Bravo Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET. Stream old episodes anytime on Peacock.
