Michelle Saniei (formerly Lally before she divorced her ex-husband, Jesse Lally) opened up about the hardships she went through while filming season 1 of “The Valley.”
Fans saw her struggle in her marriage to Lally, and she revealed on the first episode of the podcast “Pursuit of Sassiness” that their relationship changed after they welcomed their daughter, Isabella.
While Saniei embraced motherhood, Lally was still focused on going out and having fun. Still, she wasn’t ready to give up on the marriage. “You don’t just walk away. It takes time,” she said. “I wanted to be married to him for the rest of my life.”
Saniei told listeners that she and Lally got asked to film “The Valley” when Isabella was about a year old, during a time when she and her ex were going through hard times.
She also revealed in the podcast that she got “the worst news” that her mom had stage 4 cancer a week before filming.
“Internally, I’m going through such a difficult marriage and I’m confused because I don’t know what to do,” Saniei continued. “I’m like, ‘Do I leave, do I stay? Do I do this TV show? My mom has cancer, what does that mean?'”
“I had never seen reality TV. I had thought I could just hide it and not say anything and just keep it to myself,” she said of her first season.
Saniei acknowledged that fans called her a “robot” during season 1 but explained that she was just trying to compress her emotions regarding her marriage and mother’s sickness.
Saniei Shared a Beautiful Tribute to Her Late Mother
After “The Valley” season 1 wrapped filming, Saniei revealed that her mom had sadly passed away. “Mom, your love was the greatest gift I ever received. Without you, the world feels incomplete. You were my best friend since I was a little girl. I will love and miss you forever. 11-05-2024,” she wrote on Instagram while sharing pictures of her mother over the years.
Saniei’s “The Valley” castmate Janet Caperna replied, “I am so deeply sorry for your loss and sending you all of my love.”
Brittany Cartwright wrote, “Love you so much Michelle I’m so sorry.” Scheana Shay of “Vanderpump Rules” shared, “I am so sorry for your loss Michelle. Your mom raised an incredibly strong woman and she will always be with you. Sending you so much love!”
Saniei Has Found Happiness With Her Boyfriend Aaron Nosler
Taniei found love with financial advisor Aaron Nosler after going through her divorce with Lally. She first debuted him on her Instagram feed on June 18, 2024, at the “The Bikeriders” premiere. “Date night,” she captioned.
Nosler also popped up in a cast picture of “The Valley” in Hawaii shared on Instagram by Cartwright in September 2024, giving a clue that he might be seen in the upcoming season.
Cartwright posted a shot of Nosler sitting in Lally’s lap in her Instagram Stories, which Taniei reshared on the platform with the word, “lol,” Bravo reported.
Aaron Is Supportive of Saniei’s Reality Television Life
Being a reality television star isn’t always easy but Taniei told Us Weekly in May 2024 that she and Nosler make it work. “We’re dealing with it a week at a time. We actually [watch] the episodes together. So the first time I watch it, we watch it together,” she said.
The real estate agent added, “And so sometimes he has to give me pep talks. But he’s been super, super supportive in every way.”
“He’s like, ‘I just am here to help and make everybody happy. So whatever I can do.’ And he has made a really good impression with everybody,” Saniei said.
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‘The Valley’ Star Michelle Saniei Bravely Reveals Her Private Struggle During Season 1 Filming