The Valley's Michelle Saniei and Jesse Lally reveal they're still "trying to work on" a divorce settlement.
Nearly two years into their ongoing divorce, The Valley's Michelle Saniei and Jesse Lally are still arguing about finances — but new information came to light on Peacock's extended and uncensored version of Part 1 of the Season 2 Reunion.
In a previously unaired moment, the exes were discussing how they're still "trying to work on a settlement," when Brittany Cartwright whispered to host Andy Cohen that he should "ask about the wedding."
Jesse began talking in circles, but Kristen Doute chimed in to succinctly state, "He wants Michelle to pay him back half the money for the wedding. Can we just say that?"
From there, Jesse revealed that his and Michelle's 55-person October 2018 wedding cost roughly $150,000, and that they had apparently "discussed splitting it."
He also insisted that Michelle had only contributed $10,000, but she estimated her part to be closer to $40,000. What's more, she denied any previous discussion of them dividing the expenditure down the middle.
"Our entire divorce, sadly ... has become tit for tat," Jesse added, accusing his estranged wife of also wanting him to pay her back for a Napa Valley trip. She also denied that claim, however, insisting that she doesn't want him "to pay anything back" to her.
"This war of attrition is exhausting. I am done," Jesse, who is representing himself in the "very expensive" divorce, concluded. "So, I reached out to her attorney about how to move forward because I want her to move forward with Aaron [Nosler]. My life is a mess. I want to start putting out fires where I can."
After The Valley Season 2 reunion filmed, Michelle and Aaron broke up, however.
Jesse Lally responds to Michelle Saniei's claim that he's "broke"
The financial-related discussion provided a natural segue for Andy to later bring up Michelle's previous claim that Jesse is "broke" and spent all their money.
"I mean, I seem to be living fine right now, and she…" Jesse began, before Michelle interjected, "Who's paying your rent?"
While Jesse maintained that he has been paying his own rent since she moved out, she clarified, "Who's been lending to money to pay your rent?"
Though he gave no verbal response, the Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen host pointed out that he did open up about "being overwhelmed financially" during the Season 2 finale's zen party.
"It's double the expenses with half the income," Jesse explained, claiming that he and Michelle had actually discussed them both finding a new home, prior to her moving out.
"What happened was, you said I have to leave the house, and you were never gonna leave because it was 'your house,' even though we both rent the house," Michelle shot back, further revealing that Jesse made her sleep downstairs, post-split, while he occupied the primary bedroom.
"Then, you said, 'We have a lease agreement, so even if you move out, you have to pay me rent,'" she continued. "So what did I do? I tried to live there so I didn't have to pay two rents. It was unbearable, so finally I found a place. I bought you furniture, and I was paying two rents. That's what happened."
Why Michelle Saniei asked Jesse Lally for a divorce
Elsewhere on The Valley Season 2 Reunion Part 1, Andy asked Michelle about "the tipping point" that made her leave Jesse.
"It was not one specific thing. It was a lot of things," she answered. "I was so tired of every day being the same thing with you. You were always diminishing me and putting me down. ... And I was just like, 'Why do I want to be married to somebody that talks to me and treats me like this every single day?"
Michelle added, "Finally, we had an anniversary, and I said, 'Am I gonna feel like this until the day I die? No.' And so, I was scared, but I asked him for a divorce."
Despite the drama between them, Jesse emphasized that they are "pretty good when it comes to decisions for Isabella."
As they continue their long trek toward finalizing their divorce, find out what else you can expect from Jesse and Michelle on The Valley's three-part reunion.
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