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The Valley's Nia Booko Talks Miss Universe Experience and Donald Trump's "Creepy" Friends
The Miss Universe runner-up just so happens to have a fourth-degree black belt in taekwondo.
The Valley’s Nia Booko is one woman you do not want to mess with.
The former Miss Nevada U.S.A. joined Kristen Doute and Michelle Lally for a day of martial arts and conversation, as seen in Season 1, Episode 2 of The Valley. Not only does Nia have style and grace, but she has also spent decades practicing the art of taekwondo — and even claimed she once had to physically defend herself from associates of former U.S. President (and current presidential candidate) Donald Trump.
Nia Booko on Competing in Miss Universe
Since the age of 8 years old, Nia has studied the Korean martial art taekwondo, a sport that includes punching and kicking techniques. She proudly earned a fourth-degree black belt, which came in handy when she ran for Miss Universe in 2014.
“When I was competing for Miss Universe, Donald Trump brought in all his creepy, older, wealthy friends [to] watch us rehearse,” said Nia. “And one of them grabbed me by the waist and pulled me in, and I grabbed his hand and twisted it around.”
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Nia also had a few choice words for her aggressor, she alleged.
“I was like, ‘You can never touch me again, thank you very much. I’m a black belt, and if you try that again, you’re going to be hurt,’” Nia continued.
Nia proved she's definitely one to have in your corner!
Nia, who shares three children under the age of two with Danny Booko, also shared a few ass-kicking moves with Kristen and Michelle during their girls’ day out at the Tao of Jiu Jitsu school in Sun Valley.
With trainers, the women practiced some intimidating techniques on the mats, including when Michelle broke free from underneath Kristen before both broke into laughter.
“That was so fun,” said Kristen as the trio settled down after the class.
“I really want to practice that where I can just do it without thinking [about] it,” Michelle commented. “I’m definitely trying this with Jesse, especially after everything we’re going through lately.”
Tension between Michelle and her husband, Jesse Lally, will be “a major storyline” in The Valley, eventually leading to their separation. Both confirmed at the series’ premiere party that they decided to call it quits after six years of marriage.
Nia Booko Talks Fight with Jax Taylor
What was perhaps even more impressive about Nia getting in the ring with the girls was that it had only been six weeks since she gave birth to twin daughters, Isabelle Marie and Zariah Rose.
In The Valley Episode 2, Nia and Danny tended to the children — including their 18-month-old son, Asher — and discussed when Jax Taylor pulled Danny’s swimming trunks down at a party, a “bad joke” prompted by Vanderpump Rules’ Brock Davies.
Nia called the prank “annoying” and “frustrating.” She said Jax’s actions didn’t help the hormonal issues she was experiencing following the birth of the twins.
She also wasn’t happy with Brittany Cartwright “making all the excuses” for her now-estranged husband, Jax.
Danny agreed that Jax’s joke was “junior high” and “stupid,” especially considering Jax is a 44-year-old father.
“I wanted to punch him,” Nia told her husband.
“Well, you’re a fourth-degree black belt,” said Danny. “You could have taken him out easily.”
“I know, but obviously, with that comes responsibility, and I’m not gonna actually hit somebody,” Nia contended. “But I wanted to.”
Based on what Nia did during her Miss Universe time, Jax might want to watch out.
Watch The Valley, airing Tuesdays at 9/8c on Bravo and streaming the next day on Peacock.
