Jesse Lally‘s girlfriend, Lacy Nicole, is opening up about why she opted out of filming on The Valley season two.
As Jesse, 45, continued to butt heads with estranged wife Michelle Saniei, 36, with their separation playing out on the episodes, Lacy, 34, explained why she didn’t want to be a part of the cast and shared how her romance with Jesse began.
“I positively and politely declined to film just for an array of my own personal reasons, but I am very proud of them,” Lacy told PEOPLE of The Valley cast on May 23. “It takes a lot of gumption and chutzpah to put yourself out there and show those moments. Last year, when they so graciously invited me on to film, I don’t think I was there emotionally, with my own mental health.”
Moving on to Jesse, Lacy said, “He’s great,” revealing that they began their relationship as friends whose daughters were friends before he became “a kind of confidant” as they navigated their separations.
“I don’t have any issue with anyone filming,” she clarified. “You sign up for it if you’re dating someone [on TV], and I respect that.”
That said, Lacy noted that she is “human,” admitting that criticism from the show can be harmful.
“When everyone makes fun of my face on Instagram, and on the show, of course, it hurts my feelings,” she shared.
The Valley season two airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on Bravo.