Jesse and Michelle Lally Talk Relationship Issues: “Constant Conflict All the Time”
Michelle said "a lot of needs are not being met" months before The Valley couple confirmed their split.
A new teaser for The Valley might give audiences insight into what led to Jesse Lally and Michelle Saniei Lally’s eventual separation.
The luxury real estate partners — who share a 3-year-old daughter, Isabella Bunny — sat with a marriage counselor, Scott, to discuss how they were “functioning together.” According to Jesse, as he put his fists together, “It’s just constant conflict all the time.”
Since filming for The Valley wrapped, the parents of one announced their separation just ahead of the premiere, as previously reported by The Daily Dish.
The L.A.-based couple had Scott visit their home, hoping to improve their relationship, as seen in the preview.
“Our marriage counselor is not a therapist; he is more of a coach, and his goal is to make us the best versions of ourselves,” Jesse told producers. “And if the best versions of ourselves are in love with each other, then our marriage will survive [and] get better.”
Why did Jesse and Michelle Lally break up?
Jesse’s sentiment matched what he said at The Valley’s premiere party on March 14, 2024, when he and Michelle confirmed their split to Us Weekly.
“There’s a major storyline about our life where I try to work on myself throughout the entire summer to be the best version of myself,” Jesse said. “And if the best version of myself aligned with the best version of herself, then our marriage would make it. People evolve. If your marriage and relationship doesn’t evolve with it, it will never work, no matter how bad you want it.”
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Brittany Says "Going Through Similar Situations" Has Helped Her and Michelle Lally Grow Closer
In the recent preview, Michelle said they reached out to Scott because he “really improved and helped” another married couple the Lallys knew. After speaking to him on the phone, they hoped meeting face to face for the first time could also help them.
“We’re gonna get into the depths of our relationship and how to move forward,” said Jesse.
Speaking of what Jesse cited as “constant conflict,” viewers saw a less-than-serious event when the couple quarreled over a cup of coffee. In the clip, Jesse said he wanted “not too much milk” in his drink, but Michelle's preparation of the coffee was too light for Jesse’s liking.
Despite Michelle apologizing, Jesse spilled the coffee down the kitchen sink’s drain.
“I gotta pour it out; that’s how milky it is,” he told his wife.
But more important than a cup of Joe, Scott turned the session toward Michelle by asking which of her needs Jesse was not meeting.
“A lot of needs are not being met,” Michelle confessed just before meeting her husband’s gaze and giving a nervous smile.
Did filming The Valley lead to a breakup
When news of the couple's separation hit, Michelle said The Valley helped her realize they were drifting apart.
“People said, ‘When you watch the show, you’re going to realize how you guys actually are,’ because when you’re in it, you don’t actually know,” Michelle told Us Weekly. “Taking a step back and looking at myself, I’m like, ‘Oh, wow. It’s obvious we have some marital issues.’”
However, Michelle insisted that what fans saw in The Valley — including the couples therapy session — was all part of their real life.
“I want fans to know how real we are. We’re very authentic,” she said. “We didn’t fake anything, and we said if we’re going to do reality T.V., we’re really going to open up our lives — the positive and the negative.”
News of the breakup came only weeks after their costars and longtime friends Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright announced their own split after nearly five years of marriage.
Watch the entire episode of The Valley, airing Tuesdays at 9/8c on Bravo and streaming the next day at Peacock.
