Janet Caperna is just as surprised as everyone else when it comes to co-star Michelle Saniei’s apparent new romance with hip-hop legend Dr. Dre — but she’s not ready to jump to conclusions just yet.
During an exclusive chat for Page Six’s “Virtual Reali-Tea,” the “Valley” star, 39, admitted that she first learned about the headline-making relationship the same way fans did: online.
“Oh my gosh, well, you guys probably know more than I do — because I found out from Page Six,” Caperna shared. “So I was getting on the flight here, my mom texts me and goes, ‘Now, why is Michelle holding hands with Dr. Dre?’ And my mom, sometimes she’ll send me a Facebook article or something and I’m like, ‘That’s AI.’”
Caperna figured that a burgeoning relationship between Saniei, 37, and Dr. Dre, 61, was fake news, but then realized the pair’s date night last month at Nobu in Los Angeles was the real deal.
“And so I’m like, ‘Oh, that’s probably AI.’ I haven’t talked to Michelle in a little bit. And then I look at it and I’m like, ‘Wait a second. This is Page Six, this isn’t AI,’” she continued. “And so you guys probably know just as much as I do. But you best believe I’m gonna be having lunch with her as soon as I’m back in LA.”
Caperna made it clear that she’s reserving judgment until she hears directly from Saniei herself.
“I need to do some more digging and investigating before [I share an opinion],” she added. “I need to ask some more questions before I decide.”
While she waits to get the full story, Caperna is also navigating the complicated web of friendships surrounding Saniei’s ex-husband, Jesse Lally, and his new girlfriend, Lacy Nicole.
“I met Lacy a couple times before this summer and they seem fine together,” she explained. “I don’t really know them that well. It’s kind of a really interesting dynamic because Michelle’s my girl, and in real life, how close are you to your friend’s ex-husband’s new girlfriend? So I wish them well and everything, but Michelle’s my girl. I’m not trying to be besties with her ex.”
On the casting front, Caperna is thrilled about Lala Kent stepping into a full-time role on “The Valley” this season.
“Lala’s my girl. I am so happy she’s a part of this season. I am so happy,” she gushed.
At the same time, she’s maintaining neutrality amid Kent’s ongoing feud with longtime friend Scheana Shay, who opted out of participating this season.
“Scheana is like family to me. We will always be friends. She was my first friend in LA. I wouldn’t know 90 percent of my friends if it weren’t for her,” Caperna shared.
“I always joke. I’m like, ‘Where would my life be if we hadn’t met?’ So, I love Scheana. She and Lala are having their beef and I’m staying out of it. I love them dearly. But yeah, I love Scheana. We just saw each other at a charity event. Our kids go to school together, so we see each other at pickup and drop-off.”
“The Valley” airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo, with new episodes available to stream the next day on Peacock.
