The Valley’s Danny Booko is owning up to the mistakes he made while filming season 3 of Bravo’s hit reality show.
“That was really tough to watch,” Danny, 42, exclusively shared with Us Weekly when recalling an episode featuring a recent cast trip to San Diego, California. “Thinking alcohol would be a good stress reliever just turned out to be the opposite.”
In recent episodes of The Valley, Danny felt his wife, Nia Sanchez, wasn’t devoting enough time to helping him prepare for a friendly drag competition with the male members of the cast. The couple later had a tense fight that inevitably broke the fourth wall.
Other cast members have speculated that Danny’s behavior changes when he enjoys alcohol, at times even alluding to the voice actor having an alleged drinking problem.
“Seeing yourself in that type of light, and that version, I really just hated seeing that, and how I was treating Nia,” Danny explained to Us of the tense on-camera moment. “I have apologized numerous times.”
He continued, “It was a difficult season of life and a version of myself that I’m embarrassed by and not proud of. A short fuse, stress, alcohol and lack of sleep are never a good combination, but that’s not an excuse. I should never have taken any of it out on [Nia].”
The Bravo reality star said he works with a wellness coach and continues to participate in couple’s therapy with his wife. Working on their collective and individual mental and emotional health is something the couple said they have participated in since the show started in 2024 “because we know things are going to be coming up.”
“We’re always just trying to stay strong and be the best versions of ourselves,” Danny explained. “Individually, and also as [a couple].”
Despite criticism from some viewers and even a few costars, Danny and Nia, 36, assure fans that their marriage continues to be a priority as they raise four children, including Asher, 4, twins Isabelle and Zariah, 2, and Adelaide, 12 months.
“I love Daniel with all my heart, and didn’t like those moments when we were in them, and didn’t like watching them back,” Nia told Us. “I also don’t hold him to his worst moments, because I know who he is. I know his heart, and I know his character.”
With more drama coming in season 3 — including a separate cast trip to Mexico — both Nia and Danny want to remind fans that an episode of a reality show doesn’t tell the whole story of their dynamic.
At the same time, both parties know they have some work to do as they remain committed to their love story.
“All marriages go through ups and downs and highs and lows, and I feel like nobody wants their lower moments in their marriage to be all over the world on TV,” Nia explained. “But all we could do was live our life in the realest way that it was in that moment, and all we can do now is continue to work hard on our marriage to get back to a healthy and strong place because that’s always been our foundation.”
The Valley airs on Bravo Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET. Stream episodes the next day on Peacock.
For more from Danny and Nia, pick up the latest issue of Us Weekly — on newsstands now.
