Janet Caperna, Danny Booko
The Valley’s Explosive Hawaii Trip: Janet Caperna’s Sexual Assault Accusations Against Danny Booko
During a dramatic cast trip to Hawaii featured in Season 2, Episode 13 of The Valley, aired on July 8, 2025, Janet Caperna sparked controversy by accusing co-star Danny Booko of sexual assault, igniting intense reactions from the cast. Below is a restructured layout of the provided information, preserving the original content and language.
The Accusation and Initial Reactions
The tension unfolded during a celebratory boat cruise in Hawaii, intended to honor Kristen Doute’s engagement to Luke Broderick. While attempting to resolve a feud with Kristen, Janet, 35, brought up Danny Booko, 41, and his wife, Nia Sanchez, 35, stating, “[Did I] attack Danny and Nia, or [did] I [say] out loud that Danny did what he did? Yes, that he sexually assaulted Jasmine [Goode] and Melissa [Marie].” This accusation, aired on the episode titled “The Cruise From Hell,” sent shockwaves through the group. Kristen, 42, immediately informed Danny and Nia, prompting Danny to respond, “How many times have I owned up for it? You can’t just keep bringing it up like that.” Kristen condemned Janet’s words as “slander” and “defamation,” calling it a “new low” that “crossed a f–king line.”
Background of the Incident
The accusation stems from an off-camera incident at a 2023 Halloween party, previously discussed in the April 29 episode. Jason Caperna, Janet’s husband, recounted that Danny, while blackout drunk, acted inappropriately by placing his hand on Jasmine Goode’s thigh, saying, “Get daddy a drink,” and grabbing Melissa Carelli’s backside. Danny issued apologies to both Jasmine, 38, and Melissa, 31, acknowledging his behavior as “out of character.” The trio had a conversation to address the incident, with Danny offering a heartfelt apology that Jasmine and Melissa accepted, intending to move forward.
Cast Reactions and After Show Commentary
On The Valley After Show (July 8, 2025), cast members expressed strong opinions. Kristen emphasized the gravity of Janet’s words, noting that as “the wife of a lawyer,” Janet should understand the damaging impact of such accusations. Nia questioned Janet’s involvement, stating, “It doesn’t involve her. So it’s like, why are you even speaking about this anyway?” She further described Janet’s remarks as “absolutely terrible,” asserting that only those directly involved should use such terms. Danny expressed frustration, saying, “For her to start throwing those words around like she did, so just nonchalant and blatantly, it was just like, all right, there’s no coming back from this right now.”
Janet’s Defense and Clarification
Janet admitted her language was “harsh” but stood by her statement, citing her husband Jason’s legal background: “When you put your hands on somebody’s butt without consent, that falls under the term that I used.” She later softened her tone, apologizing to Danny and Nia for using “the definition of what happened that night,” but quipped, “I’m sorry I had to do that.” Jason defended Janet, arguing that Kristen provoked the discussion by repeatedly saying, “Stop attacking Danny,” forcing Janet to clarify, “The only reason I said these things is because he did these things. What things did he do? A, B, and C. Kristen, you forced this out of her.” Janet also sarcastically remarked, “I would love for them to let me know what words they’re OK with using to describe the situation.”
Perspectives from Jasmine and Melissa
Jasmine, one of the alleged victims, acknowledged the technical accuracy of Janet’s claim, stating, “It just sucks because she’s not wrong when she says it was SA, because it kinda technically is.” However, she emphasized that she and Melissa had already resolved the issue with Danny and wished to move on, saying, “We already had our conversation with Danny and decided we were going to try and move past that moment.” Melissa echoed this sentiment, demanding, “Can you all please stop talking about me and Jasmine?”
Additional Allegations and Cast Dynamics
Janet further accused Danny of saying, “I have a weakness for hot girls in little skirts” while acting inappropriately at a bar, escalating tensions. Zack Wickham noted that they researched the definition of sexual assault, admitting its broad scope but suggesting he would have used a different term, though conceding, “I guess technically [it is].” Nia expressed distrust in Janet, stating, “Honestly, I don’t believe anything she says anymore,” while reaffirming her support for Danny: “I love my husband; he’s an incredible man. It’s so disheartening that someone would say something like that.” Danny reiterated his accountability, saying, “I have gone above and beyond to take ownership and make things right to the best of my ability with the incident and those that I had hurt. That’s all I can do.”
Public and Cast Backlash
Janet’s accusations have drawn significant backlash, with fans and co-stars labeling her actions as divisive. Social media posts reflect viewer outrage, with one user calling Janet’s statement “slander” and suggesting Danny could sue for defamation. Reports also indicate that Janet faced death threats and trolling, leading her to make her Instagram private and reportedly travel to Switzerland with her husband, Jason, and their son, Cameron, though co-star Jesse Lally clarified this was a planned vacation.
Conclusion
The incident has strained cast relationships, with Jasmine and Melissa urging the group to move forward, while Janet’s refusal to fully retract her statement keeps the controversy alive. The Valley airs on Bravo Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET, with episodes available to stream on Peacock. For those affected by sexual assault, support is available through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).