It looks like the origin story behind this year’s most unlikely couple has been revealed.
“The Valley” star Michelle Saniei met Dr. Dre through her best friend Ashley Palmer-Gilkey, the US Sun reported after they were photographed together over the weekend.
According to his Instagram profile, Palmer Gilkey is the general manager of Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Records. Dr. Dre founded the label in 1996 after leaving Death Row Records.
She has worked at Aftermath Entertainment for 16 years, first as Dr. Dre’s executive assistant from 2010 to 2013 and then as GM from 2013 to present, according to her LinkedIn profile, which describes her role as “supporting Dr. Dre’s overall vision, mission, and authority.”
As for her relationship with Sanyei, the Bravolebrity wished Palmer-Gilkey a happy birthday last week, calling her “my soul sister,” adding that she’s “more like family than a friend.”
Palmer-Gilkey replied in the comment, “I love you 🤍 Cheers to more laughter, more travel, more weight loss, and more friends 💕.”
The record company executive also shared a Grammy Awards 2026 wrap-up slideshow in February featuring separate photos with Dr. Dre and Sanye.
A source told the US Sun that the women are longtime friends and that Saniei had been close to Dr. Dre for “many months.” However, it is unclear when the relationship between the two became romantic.
Sunny and Dr. Dre set the internet on fire over the weekend when a photo of them holding hands while leaving Nobu in Los Angeles was released.
The real estate agent, 37, and the hip-hop legend, 61, were photographed by paparazzi as they got into a black Mercedes SUV and left the celebrity hotspot together, surrounded by security guards.
Dr. Dre was dressed comfortably for the outing, wearing a black hoodie, jeans, and white sneakers.
Saniei, on the other hand, opted for a purple high-neck top, black miniskirt, stiletto boots and a long black leather trench coat.
Dr. Dre has kept his love life private after agreeing to settle his divorce with ex-wife Nicole Young for $100 million in December 2021.
The couple, who share two children together, were married for 24 years until Young filed for divorce in 2020.
Dr. Dre has seven other children from previous relationships, including one who died in 2008.
Saniei’s marriage to her current husband, Jesse Lally, failed in front of the cameras on “The Valley.”
The couple married in 2018 and had one child together, but separated in 2024 and finalized their divorce the following year.
In an interview with BravoTV.com published on April 15, days before he was photographed with Dr. Dre, Sanyei said he was “single, single, single.”
“I’m not dating anyone, but I’m open to dating whenever the time is right,” she said. “I just haven’t met that special person yet. I’m single and ready to date.”
