“The Valley ”Star Jesse Lally Reacts to Ex Michelle Saniei’s Rumored Romance with Dr. Dre: ‘Didn’t See That One Coming’

Bravo star Saniei, 37, and rapper Dr. Dre, 61, were photographed holding hands on Saturday, April 25

NEED TO KNOW

• Michelle Saniei was photographed holding hands with Dr. Dre after a dinner date at Nobu Malibu on Saturday, April 25
• Her ex-husband and The Valley costar Jesse Lally reacted to the photos, saying he found out about the rumored romance on social media
• Lally and Saniei, who settled their divorce out of court in October 2025, share 6-year-old daughter Isabella

The Valley’s Jesse Lally is weighing in on those pictures of his ex-wife Michelle Saniei and Dr. Dre.

Bravo star Saniei, 37, was photographed holding hands with the rapper and music exec, 61, following a dinner date at Nobu Malibu on Saturday, April 25.

Reacting to the photos, Lally, 45, said he “did not get a heads up” about the pair’s rumored romance, telling TMZ he saw the images “on social media the same way as everyone else.”

“I mean, look, Michelle’s divorced,” Lally said of Saniei, whom he finalized his divorce from in October 2025. “She’s single, and whatever makes her happy is cool.”

Realtor Lally then commented that he hopes his ex and Valley costar is “really focused” on their 6-year-old daughter Isabella.

“I hope that she continues to be a great mom to Isabella and has Isabella’s interests at heart because I don’t think we can deal with the same collateral damage that we dealt with with Aaron and Michelle breaking up,” Lally told TMZ, referencing Saniei’s split from her ex Aaron Nosler in July 2025 after a year of dating, adding that the breakup was “really difficult on all of us.”

“So I just hope she’s really focused on Isabella right now, because … other than that she can do whatever she wants, you know, she’s single,” he added to the outlet. 

Lally was then asked if he’d rather Saniei, who is also a realtor, date their costar Tom Schwartz over Dr. Dre, after Saniei and Schwartz, 43, were filmed flirting during season 3 of The Valley, which is currently airing. 

“Listen, she can date whoever she wants to date. I thought it was kind of cute and it was kind of funny, the Tom and Michelle aspect of it, but that was never going to happen. We’re all very good friends and stuff like that, but the Dr. Dre thing, didn’t see that one coming!” he further noted.

Asked if Saniei had ever mentioned the Beats CEO and Death Row Records co-founder while they were together, Lally, who is now dating girlfriend Lacy Nicole, said, “No. Michelle, I don’t even think she ever listened to rap music. So, dating Dr. Dre, good for her. Hey, N.W.A. was the first cassette I ever bought in 1988, the year Michelle was born.”

PEOPLE previously reached out to Saniei and a rep for Dr. Dre for comment, but did not immediately receive a response. 

Saniei and Lally’s costar Janet Caperna also commented on the romance rumors between Saniei and Dr. Dre, whose real name is Andre Young, during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen on Wednesday, April 29.

“It was not on my bingo card,” said a shocked Caperna. “I found out when the rest of world found out so I’m very excited to get back to L.A. and have lunch with Michelle and get the tea.”

“Major upgrade,” said fellow guest, Southern Hospitality star Michols Peña, to which Caperna replied, ”Yeah!” 

Saniei and Lally announced their split in March 2024 just days after The Valley premiered on Bravo. Saniei filed for divorce that month, citing irreconcilable differences and listing their date of separation as Oct. 16, 2023. The pair married in October 2018 in Napa Valley, Calif., before welcoming Isabella in April 2020.

Lally made his relationship with Lacy Nicole, a philanthropist who runs a foundation and hosts a podcast. public in April 2024.

While Michelle is mom to Isabella, Dr. Dre is a father of 10 from previous relationships.

“The Next Episode” artist was married to attorney Nicole Young from 1996 until 2021. They are parents to son Truice and daughter Truly.

Months after filing for divorce, Young accused her ex of abuse, claiming in court documents obtained by PEOPLE at the time that he “held a gun to my head” and “punched me in the head/face” on more than one occasion during their marriage.

Dr. Dre denied the allegations.

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After the release of Straight Outta Compton, the 2015 biopic about N.W.A., Dr. Dre shared a statement with The New York Times and apologized to women he’s “hurt” in the past.

“I apologize to the women I’ve hurt. I deeply regret what I did and know that it has forever impacted all of our lives,” he said at the time.