Uncovering the Buzz Surrounding Michelle and Jesse Lally on 'The Valley': Exploring Rumors of Racism and Infidelity

Every Rumor Brought Up on The Valley About Michelle Lally and Jesse Lally

Casey Durkin/Bravo

Viewers of Bravo's The Valley were anticipating the focus to be on the Vanderpump Rules alums. However, they were surprised when Michelle Lally and Jesse Lally took center stage instead.

The spinoff series, which premiered in March 2024, follows a group of friends transitioning from their wild younger days to parenthood and adult life in California's San Fernando Valley.

Former Vanderpump Rules stars Jax Taylor, Brittany Cartwright and Kristen Doute were the faces of the show — until the first season started to air. Fans quickly became more invested in Michelle and Jesse’s deteriorating marriage and all the rumors being spread behind their backs.

Before joining The Valley, Jesse and Michelle got engaged in 2017 after several years of dating. They tied the knot one year later and expanded their family with daughter Isabella’s arrival in 2020. We confirmed in March — shortly before The Valley‘s series premiere — that Jesse and Michelle separated after nearly six years of marriage.

Jesse shared with Us exclusively in March that he spent the entire summer working on self-improvement to become the best version of himself. He believed that for their marriage to succeed, both partners needed to evolve and grow together.

Michelle mentioned that there have been numerous changes since they finished filming the series.

"When you watch the show, you're going to realize how you guys actually are," she said in a separate interview with Us at the time. "Because when you're in it, you don't actually know. Taking a step back and looking at myself, I'm like, 'Oh wow. It's obvious we have some marital issues.'"

She continued, "I want fans to know how real we were. We're very authentic. We didn't fake anything and we said if we're going to do reality TV, we're really going to open up our lives - the positive and the negative."

Keep reading to find out all the gossip surrounding Jesse and Michelle on The Valley:

The Valley is shown on Bravo every Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET and can be streamed on Peacock the following day.

Accusations of Racism

Every Rumor Brought Up on The Valley About Michelle Lally and Jesse Lally

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During an April 2024 episode, Kristen claimed that Janet Caperna told Jasmine Goode that Michelle was “racist and a Republican.”

Janet accused Kristen of misrepresenting a statement she made, claiming that Kristen exaggerated a small comment. Janet felt that Michelle had misunderstood the topic of 'Don't Say Gay' laws during a previous dinner conversation. Michelle suggested that these laws protect children, but Janet disagreed. Kristen, according to Janet, made a mountain out of a molehill by blowing the situation out of proportion.

On the other hand, Michelle expressed her frustration with Janet for insinuating that she could be homophobic or racist. However, Zach denied these insinuations, revealing that he had confided in Michelle about certain matters. Michelle believed that Zach wanted her to stir up drama, but she felt guilty for involving Michelle in the chaos that Janet had stirred up. Zach acknowledged that Janet's actions were inappropriate and knew it was wrong to disclose their private conversations.

Janet mentioned that she asked Jasmine to speak to Michelle if the topic came up again.

She explained, "I told Jasmine, who then told Zach, 'We were discussing this bill and Michelle might be in favor of it. However, because it pertains to the LGBTQ community, if you hear her discussing it and pick up on the same vibe, it could be an opportunity for education.'"

The Mystery Director

Michelle expressed her unhappiness to Jesse on screen about Kristen's comments. She admitted, "I'm still shocked, to be honest. Like completely shocked." Michelle also mentioned feeling upset because she believed her friend Janet would not make such hurtful remarks. Being a first-generation Mexican and Persian, Michelle was left feeling shocked and confused by the situation.

Every Rumor Brought Up on The Valley About Michelle Lally and Jesse Lally

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Jesse opened up about problems in his marriage, leading Jax and Luke Broderick to suggest that Michelle might be unfaithful. Luke hinted at having information that could potentially break up Jesse and Michelle, but didn't share any specifics.

On the other hand, Jax pointed out Michelle's strong connection with a director, raising suspicions about their relationship.

Jax mentioned in an episode from April 2024 that Michelle always claims she is not familiar with famous people. However, he revealed that she was seen spending time with a director for several consecutive days. According to Jax, Michelle frequents the Château Marmont from her home and met the director at the pool, where they hit it off.

Jax expressed his surprise at the situation, questioning the frequency of their meetings. He pondered whether Michelle's interactions with the director were merely business-related, considering her profession as a real estate agent. Despite his reservations, Jax noted that Jesse, another individual involved, did not seem bothered by the situation, leaving him uncertain about the authenticity of Michelle's claims.

A Secret Boyfriend

Michelle responded to rumors of infidelity by addressing them on her Instagram Story. She made it clear that networking and building relationships are part of her job as a real estate agent, and the accusations were unfounded.

Every Rumor Brought Up on The Valley About Michelle Lally and Jesse Lally

Casey Durkin/Bravo

Kristen continued to meddle in Michelle's personal life, leading to a heated argument with Jesse. She later confided in producers, revealing that her previous attempts to shield Michelle were motivated by the fact that Michelle supposedly had a secret boyfriend.

In April 2024, Kristen boldly stated on screen, "She had a boyfriend for a year. There, I said it. Now she's protecting him instead of me." Kristen went on to explain, "Around a year ago, Michelle and Jesse were having problems. Michelle was involved with another guy. They were spending time together. I didn't have any issues with it because I don't think highly of Jesse."

Michelle has not addressed the rumors yet. However, she did share that she is now dating someone new following her breakup with Jesse.

In an Instagram Q&A, Michelle mentioned that she is seeing someone "amazing" and prefers to keep their relationship private for now. She also expressed her desire to eventually become friends with Jesse.

Bravo viewers assumed Michelle was referring to financial advisor Aaron Nosler, who posted several cozy photos with her since her separation.

Being Unfaithful

Every Rumor Brought Up on The Valley About Michelle Lally and Jesse Lally

Bravo/YouTube

Jesse admitted to having questions about his wife Kristen, despite not knowing the rumors being spread around about her.

In an episode from April 2024, Jesse shared with the cameras, "She used to yell at me when we first started dating. If I put my cell phone down and then all of a sudden she starts putting her cell phone face down." He continued, "For years, she wouldn't go out and have a margarita without doing boomerang. Then all of a sudden, no more posting. Her thing was, 'Well sometimes I want to take a break from social media.' Bulls—t. She never took a break from social media, ever."

Michelle reassured Jesse that there was nothing for him to worry about when it came to her hiding something from him. She explained that their relationship was built on honesty and there was no need for them to feel anxious about each other.

Editor's P/S:

The article delves into the captivating drama surrounding Jesse and Michelle Lally, who took center stage in Bravo's "The Valley." Their deteriorating marriage, fueled by rumors and accusations, became a focal point of the show. The article exposes the complexities of their relationship, highlighting the tension between loyalty and doubt. Michelle's alleged infidelity and the accusations of racism further fuel the intrigue, leaving viewers questioning the authenticity of the characters and the dynamics within the group.

The article also sheds light on the role of social media in the couple's relationship. Jesse's suspicions about Kristen's changed social media habits raise questions about the extent of transparency and accountability in their marriage. The article highlights the delicate balance between privacy and the desire for validation, especially in the realm of reality television. The ongoing gossip and speculation surrounding Jesse and Michelle's relationship serve as a cautionary tale about the potential pitfalls of living one's life in the public eye.