Inquiring minds want to know if Brittany Cartwright and Jax Taylor will get back together, and some cast members on The Valley believe it’s possible.
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Former Miss U.S.A. Nia Booko recently gave an exclusive interview with Bravo’s The Daily Dish to talk all things about the Vanderpump Rules spinoff, including what she hoped for Brittany and Jax, who announced their separation in February 2024 after more than four years of marriage.
Nia admitted she was “trying so hard not to be stuck” in her “hopeless romantic headspace” while watching the relationship crumble as new episodes of The Valley continue to air at 9/8c on Bravo.
Here’s what the mother of three and (taekwondo black belt!) thinks of Brittany and Jax reconciling:
According to Nia, who, along with her husband, Danny Booko, is close friends with the now-estranged couple, a reconciliation may be possible.
“I’m thinking, if Jax changes, maybe it can work out,” Nia said, “You know, they have a child together, and when Daniel and I really first connected with Jax and Brittany, there was so much conversation of, ‘We’re in a different season of life.’”
Since the debut season began, issues between Jax and Brittany have been made evident, including a lack of intimacy and Jax reportedly being overly critical of Brittany’s lifestyle and looks. Brittany even said on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen that an “extremely stubborn” Jax has refused to do couple’s counseling.
Nia told The Daily Dish she and Danny originally bonded with the Vanderpump Rules alums thanks to marriage and parenthood. Brittany and Jax co-parent 3-year-old Cruz Michael Cauchi, while the Bookos share 2-year-old Asher and twin infant girls Isabelle Marie and Zariah Rose.
“I’m so excited to be hanging out with other couples who are doing the same thing, so I still kind of hold onto those conversations and hope that they can work things out,” Nia continued.
Nia on Jesse and Michelle Lally’s split
Nia also discussed the breakup between The Valley’s Michelle Saniei Lally and Jesse Lally, who announced their split after six years of marriage ahead at The Valley premiere and just weeks after Jax and Brittany. Although Nia and her husband knew Jesse and Michelle had their troubles, they didn’t realize how unstable their marriage was until watching The Valley as it aired, she told The Daily Dish.
“I texted Michelle, and I said, ‘I’m so sorry that I didn’t know what was really going on with you and Jesse on a deeper level,’” said Nia. “I didn’t realize how unhealthy it was and how sad she was, and I think, for me and some of the other girls, she kind of put on a little bit more of a brave face.”
Fractures between the Lallys grow wider as The Valley continues, highlighting “constant conflict” in the marriage and rumors that Michelle had an illicit relationship with an unidentified but famous director.
Nia claimed to know Michelle was unhappy but had no idea that “it was so bad.”
“Watching it back has been mind-blowing because we lived it, but we also were not with our other friends at their houses when they were filming their own moments,” Nia admitted. “So, it’s just kind of eye-opening to see other things that people have been experiencing that I was not even aware of in real time when we were filming.”
Nia said what was most important to her was that Michelle was in a “happier place” since she and Jesse parted ways.
She also had a similar sentiment when discussing Brittany and Jax’s split.
“At the end of the day, Brittany deserves to be treated incredibly,” Nia told The Daily Dish. “Every woman deserves to be valued and loved and respected.”
See more of The Valley, airing Tuesdays at 9/8c on Bravo and available to watch the following day on Peacock.