The Valley Star Michelle Saniei Confirms Dating Dr. Dre, Keeping Romance Private

Michelle Saniei, star of Bravo's "The Valley," has confirmed she is dating music legend Dr. Dre after months of speculation following their public sighting earlier this year. The 37-year-old real estate agent and the 61-year-old music mogul revealed their relationship in an interview with People on Tuesday, June 16, stating they are keeping their connection private. "We're spending time together and we love being in each other's company," Saniei said, adding that they met through a mutual friend—Ashley Palmer-Gilkey, the general manager of Dr. Dre's Aftermath Records.

The pair was first spotted holding hands at the upscale restaurant Nobu in Los Angeles on April 25, wearing matching black ensembles as they departed in a black Mercedes SUV surrounded by security. The sighting sparked widespread media attention and social media speculation, with some initially questioning the authenticity of the photos. Saniei emphasized that the couple is prioritizing privacy: "For now, we're just keeping everything super private. I'm just living my life."

The unlikely pairing, marked by a 24-year age gap, drew reactions from those close to Saniei. Her ex-husband, Jesse Lally, whom she divorced in October 2025 after separating in 2023, expressed surprise at the relationship. "I did not get a heads up. I saw it on social media the same way as everybody else," Lally told TMZ in April, noting the pairing was unexpected given Saniei's apparent lack of interest in rap music. The former couple shares a 6-year-old daughter, Isabella. Saniei's "Valley" costar Janet Caperna also recalled her initial skepticism upon seeing the photos, describing them as "blurry and grainy" and questioning whether they might be AI-generated.

Dr. Dre (real name Andre Romell Young) has largely maintained privacy regarding his personal life following his December 2021 settlement with ex-wife Nicole Young, to whom he paid $100 million after their 24-year marriage. He has eight children from previous relationships, six of whom are older than Saniei.