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Brittany Says "Going Through Similar Situations" Has Helped Her and Michelle Lally Grow Closer
Brittany and Jax announced their separation weeks before The Valley's Jesse Lally and Michelle Saniei Lally confirmed their divorce at the series premiere party in L.A.
It’s been a whirlwind of emotions ahead of The Valley’s series premiere now that two married couples have called it quits. Thankfully, the women have one another’s backs as they continue navigating the rough waters of separation and uncertainty.
On Thursday, March 14, 2024, Brittany Cartwright and her costars on The Valley hit the red carpet for the series premiere party at Jax’s Studio City sports bar in Los Angeles. The mother-of-one, who recently announced her split from Jax Taylor after nearly five years of marriage, said she formed a strong bond with Michelle Saniei Lally because of their shared circumstances, presumably in light of Michelle’s breakup from husband, Jesse Lally.
Brittany Cartwright on Friendship with Michelle Lally
“Me and Michelle have definitely grown closer,” Brittany told Bravo. “She’s always been one of my close friends, but we’re going through similar situations. So, we’ve definitely grown closer, even though we’ve been friends for years and years and years.”
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Before landing on Michelle as the one castmate Brittany grew closest with during filming, it was hard for the Hooters Hall-of-Famer to choose which of her costars fit the bill. She said she was “so close with so many people,” including Kristen Doute, Janet Caperna, Nia Booko, Zack Wickham, and Jasmine Goode.
“You know me, I can’t say one person,” Brittany laughed. “I love them all. I love them all.”
During her red carpet interview, Michelle agreed that she grew the closest with Brittany over the season.
“I’ve always been the closest to Brittany,” said Michelle. “Brittany and I have always clicked. We’re the same age, we used to be Hooter girls, and we love each other so much.”
All the Divorces on The Valley
In late February 2024, Brittany and Jax — who married in 2019 while still on Vanderpump Rules — announced on their shared podcast, When Reality Hits with Jax and Brittany, that they were taking a break and living in separate homes.
It was a blow for the couple, especially just weeks before the release of The Valley — airing Tuesdays at 9/8c on Bravo — though both maintained the decision was not a publicity stunt.
At the premiere party, Bravo newcomers Jesse and Michelle confirmed to reporters that they, too, had decided to separate after six years of marriage.
“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 said. “Taking a step back and looking at myself, I’m like, ‘Oh, wow. It’s obvious we have some marital issues.’”
Neither Michelle nor Jesse — both of whom are real estate partners with one daughter between them — have specified what led to their decision to split. However, the latter claimed cracks in their marriage would be revealed throughout The Valley’s debut season, adding it was “a major storyline” in the show.
Meanwhile, Jax continues to quash rumors that his breakup with Brittany was the result of cheating. Jax also previously said splitting up had “zero to do with” opening their bar, Jax’s Studio City, something Brittany’s mother, Sherri Cartwright, predicted would lead them straight for divorce.
Jax and Brittany confirmed Bravo cameras were back up and running since their separation, though a series trailer teases heaps of drama even before the couple parted ways.
“Some things have changed, and some things have not changed at all,” Brittany told Bravo. “It’s kind of, like, ‘Are we grown up, or are we not?’ I don’t know!”
Tune in and watch The Valley, premiering Tuesday, March 19, 2024, on Bravo.
Original reporting by Laura Moya and Emma Agripino.
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