’The Valley’ star Michelle Saniei’s ex Jesse Lally reacts to her shocking romance with Dr. Dre

“I did not get a heads up,” Lally told TMZ Wednesday, referring to his ex’s romance with the iconic rapper. “I saw it on social media the same way as everyone else.”

Lally also threw shade at the new couple’s 24-year age gap, noting he “didn’t see this one coming.”

Jesse Lally (seen above in 2022) was shocked by his ex-wife Michelle Saniei’s romance with Dr. Dre. The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images

“I did not get a heads up,” Lally told TMZ Wednesday. “I saw it on social media the same way as everyone else.” STAR INFLUX LA / BACKGRID

“I don’t think she ever listened to rap music. So dating Dr. Dre… good for her. But, hey, the N. W. A is the first cassette I ever bought in 1988 — the year Michelle was born — so good for her.”

Despite his and Saniei’s “traumatic” divorce last year, Lally made it clear that he is happy for his ex-wife and that his main focus continues to be on their 6-year-old daughter, Isabella.

“Michelle’s divorced and she’s single and whatever makes her happy is cool. I just hope she’s really focused on Isabella right now. Other than that, she can do whatever she wants.”

“The Valley” star also poked fun at the new couple’s 24-year age gap. AMNESTY FOR BRASIL. / BACKGRID

“Hey, the N.W.A is the first cassette I ever bought in 1988 — the year Michelle was born — so good for her,” Lally quipped. AMNESTY FOR BRASIL. / BACKGRID

The real estate agent, 37, and Dre, 61, were first spotted together on Saturday.

Snaps obtained by Page Six showed the duo holding hands at celeb hotspot Nobu in Los Angeles.

The two left the restaurant in a black Mercedes SUV together and were surrounded by what appeared to be security personnel.

The unlikely pair reportedly met through the reality star’s close friend, Ashley Palmer-Gilkey.

The real estate agent and Dre were reportedly introduced by Saniei’s close friend Ashley Palmer-Gilkey (seen above) who works for the legendary rapper. organizedchaos/Instagram

A source told the US Sun that the women have been friends for a long time and Saniei has been around Dr. Dre “for months.” michelle.saniei/Instagram

Palmer-Gilkey is the general manager of Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Records,according to her Instagram bio. Dr. Dre founded the label in 1996 after he left Death Row Records.

A source told the US Sun that the women have been friends for a long time and Saniei has been around Dr. Dre “for months.” However, it’s unclear when things turned romantic between them.

Since separating from Lally in 2023, Saniei has only been in one other public relationship, with financial advisor Aaron Nosler.

Lally and Saniei finalized their divorce in October 2025 after nearly seven years of marriage. Penske Media via Getty Images

The exes continue to co-parent their 6-year-old daughter, Isabella. Getty Images for Casamigos

The pairsplit in July 2025after a year together. Lally, 44, also told TMZ that he hopes Saniei’s new relationship with Dre works out better than her previous one for Isabella’s sake.

“She’s happy, she’s single, she can do whatever she wants. I just want her to really focus on making sure that Isabella doesn’t have to go through what she went through with the Aaron breakup. It was really difficult on all of us.

“Good for her. Go get it,” he jokingly concluded.