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From Miss USA to The Valley: What to Know About Nia Booko
The Miss Universe runner-up joins her husband, Danny Booko, in the upcoming Vanderpump Rules spinoff.
A former Miss USA is one of several new faces on Bravo’s upcoming series, The Valley.
Nia Booko and her husband, Danny Booko, join married couple Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright, plus former SURver Kristen Doute, on the new show, with the latter three returning to Bravo after their wild days on Vanderpump Rules.
According to The Valley’s show announcement, Danny Booko “instantly clicked” with Jax after meeting during a night out in Los Angeles, thanks to their Michigan upbringing. Through the guys, Nia met Brittany, and a solid friendship formed.
“Deep into parenting with three children all under the age of 2, Danny and Nia find themselves busy with raising their kids, minivan shopping, and figuring out just how far into the Valley they’ll move,” per the announcement.
Here’s what we know about The Valley’s new neighbor, Nia Booko, ahead of its springtime premiere.
Who is Nia Booko?
Nia Booko, whose maiden name is Nia Sanchez, is best known for being crowned Miss USA in 2014. The Sacramento-born beauty queen, who later moved to Las Vegas, spent her life in pageantry, winning many regional beauty contests and becoming a runner-up for Miss California in 2010.
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For the Miss USA title, Nia represented the state of Nevada, having won Miss Nevada that same year.
Later in 2014, Nia represented the United States in the Miss Universe pageant and was first runner-up behind Colombia’s Paulina Vega.
She’s also one you may not want to mess with. Nia spent years learning taekwondo and competed nationally as a fourth-degree black belt, she explained back in 2014, reported ABC News.
"I learned at a young age that you need to be confident and be able to defend yourself, and I think that's something we should really implement for a lot of women," she said at the time. "More awareness is very important so women can learn how to protect themselves."
Nia married actor and model Danny Booko in 2015. Together, they have three children: son Asher, 2, and twin daughters Isabelle Marie and Zariah Rose, born in June 2023.
What does Nia Booko do for work?
Even though Nia has three children in diapers, she still finds the time to host the upcoming podcast Hold My Crown with Nia Sanchez, as listed in the beauty queen’s Instagram bio.
Slated to drop January 24, 2024, the show features husband Danny Booko as a co-host, “and you know he brings the laughs,” Nia said in a Jan. 22 post.
Nia said there is “so much more” to her than the Miss USA crown and sash in the description.
“Miss USA and 1st Runner-Up Miss Universe, Nia Sanchez Booko, is keeping it real each week as she digs into relationships, motherhood, beauty, self-defense, confidence, and travel,” the podcast states. “Along the way, she will be chatting to experts, queens, and a few you may recognize from T.V. to get curious about the joys and struggles that come with living your authentic life.”
As if juggling three children, hosting a podcast, and featuring in The Valley wasn’t enough, Nia also coaches about the ins and outs of pageantry, having worked with some big names in the industry.
Nia Booko's Viral Gender Reveal Party
Nia and Danny Booko made headlines nationwide in February 2023 following a gender reveal party with “unexpected news,” as featured on NBC’s Today. The proud parents published a video of them popping a balloon to an explosion of pink confetti, revealing they had a daughter on the way.
Guests were shocked when Danny disappeared and returned with a second balloon, one that also exploded with pink confetti.
“We’re having twins!” Danny screamed to the cheers and excitement of loved ones.
News of the Bookos having identical twins was all the more surprising given their previous struggles with infertility. Nia told Today that before their firstborn’s birth, she went through three rounds of I.U.I. (intrauterine insemination).
Following Asher’s birth, doctors said Nia’s egg count was “scary low,” she said, and the couple was unsure if another pregnancy was possible.
Five months later, Nia discovered she was pregnant with her daughters.
But the news came with a scare. Nia previously vlogged about her struggles with Twin Anemia Polycythemia Sequence, a condition in which blood is unequally distributed to identical twins inside the womb.
Happily, on Father’s Day 2024, the Bookos happily announced the birth of their “miracle babies.”
“We are absolutely in love and have been soaking up every magical moment with these little ones,” Nia said.
Nia regularly discusses topics related to motherhood on social media.
What is The Valley?
Nia and Danny Booko join former VPR cast members Jax, Brittany, and Kristen for the Vanderpump Rules spinoff. The upcoming series follows “a group of close friends as they trade bottle service in West Hollywood for baby bottles in the Valley, all while they navigate bustling businesses, rocky relationships, and feisty friendships,” according to The Valley series announcement.
Jason and Janet Caperna, Jesse and Michelle Lally, and Luke Broderick also join the cast.
See Nia Booko in The Valley, premiering spring 2024 on Bravo and Peacock.
