As the drama on “The Valley” continues to heat up, Jesse Lally is coming to the defense of Danny and Nia Booko.
Speaking to Us Weekly at the 2026 Newport Beach TV Fest ahead of Variety’s Creative Impact in TV Award presentation and conversation with Andy Cohen, Jesse urged fans and castmates alike to remember that what viewers see on television is only part of the story.
This season hasn’t been easy for Danny and Nia. Questions about Danny’s drinking, combined with several tense on-camera moments between the couple, have made them one of the most talked-about storylines on “The Valley” and sparked strong reactions from both fans and castmates.
But Jesse believes those moments do not tell the full story.
“The reason why I support Danny is, I don’t think these isolated moments are [the] definition of his individual character,” Jesse told Us Weekly. “And I don’t think it defines their relationship either.”
Jesse Lally Says Danny and Nia Are Different Off Camera
Every week I'm more convinced Danny & Nia are on the wrong network 🤷♂️
Nia looks like she wandered over from a TLC show about homeschooling 14 children…
Meanwhile Danny still sneaking liquor into cups, lying directly to everyone's face, and joking about baby #5
Their… pic.twitter.com/0gv8gksF62
— Rick Zhampagne 🍁 ♊️ (@RickZhampagne) June 4, 2026
While Danny’s behavior has been heavily discussed this season, Jesse said his real-life experience with the couple paints a much different picture.
“I’ve spent so much time with them on and off camera. I know how they are as a couple,” he explained.
According to Jesse, Danny and Nia have long been viewed as one of the stronger relationships in the group.
“When we all say we look up to them as a couple, they have a communication that maybe if [my ex-wife] Michelle and I had even remotely close, we would, you know, things might be a little different,” he admitted.
Jesse also praised the couple for balancing marriage and parenting while raising four young children.
The reality star noted that many of their friends admire the way they communicate and manage their busy household.
“Based on their communication,” Jesse said, adding that the group also respects “how they handle four kids under four living in Santa Clarita.”
He even joked about the challenges of visiting them.
“I drove up there last week for Adelaide’s first birthday, and it still took me an hour, and it was on a Sunday,” he said. “So, God bless them. Give them a little grace.”
The Feud With Janet and Jason May Not Be Over
While Jesse remains optimistic about Danny and Nia, he is less confident that tensions between the Bookos and Janet and Jason Caperna will be resolved anytime soon.
“I don’t know if there’s a path forward for the Capernaus and the Bookos,” Jesse confessed.
“I think there’s so much bad blood that you know — I think things were said improperly, I think things were done improperly, maybe on both sides, maybe not, but I don’t know if there’s a path forward.”
The feud has been one of the biggest storylines of season 3, particularly after Janet accused Danny of behavior that he strongly denied.
‘The Valley’ Star Shares Positive Update on Life After Divorce
Away from the cast drama, Jesse also shared an encouraging update about his own relationship with ex-wife Michelle Saniei.
The pair finalized their divorce while filming season 3, but Jesse said they are successfully focused on coparenting their daughter Isabella.
“Our relationship right now is purely coparenting,” he explained. “We do a really, really good job of it.”
According to Jesse, both he and Michelle have worked together to support each other’s schedules.
“I’m actually supposed to be with Isabella, but Michelle took her tonight, so I could be here with you guys,” he said. “So we’re doing well so far.”
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