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Michelle Saniei revealed whether she was still dating Dr. Dre during an interview on Monday.
While also reflecting on her divorce from Jesse Lally, 46, discussing their co-parenting relationship, and admitting to experiencing “trauma” after her July 2025 split from boyfriend Aaron Nosler, the 37-year-old star of The Valley confirmed her status with the 61-year-old rapper, addressed Lacy Nicole‘s addition to the show, revealed which co-star she’s closest to, and spoke of her dreams of joining the cast of Dancing With the Stars.
“We’re spending time together and we love being in each other’s company,” Michelle told PEOPLE on June 15 of her relationship with Dr. Dre, whom she was first spotted with in April.
Then, after being asked for the reaction of her co-stars and Jesse, Michelle added, “We’re just keeping everything super private. I’m just living my life.”
Looking back on her decision to end her marriage to Jesse, the father of her six-year-old daughter, Isabella, Michelle said she had no regrets.
“I think in the beginning you get so scared, ‘Did I make the right choice and is this best for myself and my child?’ But now looking back, I feel like everything I did was the best decision for myself and for my daughter and I have no regrets on that part,” she stated. “I’m truly happy with where life is taking me.”
As for her co-parenting relationship with Jesse, Michelle said she only sees her ex if she has to.
“I try not to really have a relationship with him unless it has to be about our daughter. We won’t text, we won’t see each other unless like Isabella has a school function, then we’ll go and we’ll sit next to each other,” she shared. “We definitely have our moments. He still makes me upset at times and it’s hard to navigate, but I just focus on myself. Don’t get me wrong, we definitely fight here and there, but we’re much better than before.”
Also speaking to PEOPLE, Michelle said that after going through personal hardships in 2024 and 2025, including her split from Aaron and the death of her mother, she felt that the only way was up when it came to filming The Valley season three.
“I was very excited about everything,” she noted. “I just felt like I released so much of my past and trauma and let go of it. I did a lot of therapy and I was just ready for a brand new chapter in my life.”
While Michelle revealed that she “had no idea” that Lacy was joining the show, and thought she would “never film” because she “didn’t want to be a part of this world,” she said she was doing her best to be in a civil place with Lacy.
“At the end of the day, you have to do what needs to be done and they are a couple,” she reasoned. “I try my best to not spend so much time with them, but obviously with this group there will be times where I see them. So I just make sure I have my own personal life and my own friends outside our original group so that it’s just not so chaotic. And I think I’m very good at being cordial with somebody and I’m all about happiness now.”
Reflecting on the moment she signed on to appear on The Valley, Michelle said she “didn’t really know what I was getting myself into” but has no regrets.
“I’ve learned a lot about myself. I’m very much an introvert and never imagined being in front of a camera and opening up my life for people to have their opinions on it. It’s a learning curve, but honestly, I’ve enjoyed it,” she shared. “I’ve opened up, I’ve done things, said things that I never thought I would say publicly.”
As for the most rewarding part, Michelle gave a nod to fan feedback.
“I love when I get positive private messages and people are like, ‘Thank you so much for being vulnerable. Thank you for helping me in my situation. I don’t feel alone in this and you understand and I feel the same way.’ If I can be empowering to women or to anybody, that’s my goal,” she noted.
According to Michelle, she is closest to Lala Kent, 35, even when they aren’t filming.
“We’ve really built a connection and I feel like we’re on the same boat about a lot of things,” she shared. “She’s my go-to, I always FaceTime her.”
As she focuses on her 14-year real estate career, Michelle said she also has her eye on DWTS.
“I love dancing so much and for a long, long time have watched Dancing with the Stars. So to me, if I ever get a call that they want me to be on Dancing with the Stars, I would jump for joy,” she declared.
The Valley season three airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on Bravo.