Janet Caperna may have started The Valley as a relatable new mom with a dry wit and a Pinterest-perfect nursery board, but by Season 2? She has become one of the most controversial cast members on Bravo’s newest spinoff, and not in a good way.
While the entire cast has had their share of cringeworthy moments this season (Jax Taylor’s rehab rage texting, anyone?), Janet’s recent behavior has sparked online backlash that’s louder than a SUR See You Next Tuesday performance.
From awkward comments surrounding a sensitive sexual assault storyline to her not-so-subtle shade toward castmates, fans are losing patience fast. And if Janet wants any shot at redemption in season three (assuming she’s still on it), she needs a serious image reboot.
Why everyone hates Janet Caperna on The Valley
Let’s start with the elephant in the chat. The backlash over Janet’s response to Danny Booko’s storyline about his altercation with Jasmine Goode and her girlfriend. Sadly, the voice-over actor revealed he had gotten too tipsy during a Halloween party and grabbed Jasmine’s butt. The move was inexcusable, but Danny, Jasmine, and her partner talked it out and agreed to move forward.
However, The Valley viewers were quick to notice Janet’s side-eye and chose to weaponize a situation she wasn’t even a part of. Janet’s vibe has been off for all of Season 2 as fans have accused her of dismissiveness, performative concern, and worst of all, making someone else’s trauma about her own storyline.
Even her confessionals, once quirky and charming, have started to come across as cold. The tone has gone from funny girl next door to girl who thinks she’s better than everyone and reminds you at every group dinner. It’s not just about one moment. It’s a pattern. And fans are noticing.
Janet has funny moments
To be fair (because we’re not monsters), Janet isn’t totally irredeemable. She’s had her moments, especially early in the season. Her dry delivery, sarcastic takes, and occasional eye-rolls added balance to a show full of over-the-top chaos. The mother of one’s quips about Zack Wickham’s hair, her passive-aggressive fight with Kristen Doute after too many margaritas. And the time she strapped on her best fanny pack for a Dave and Busters birthday party. Funny! No notes.
But here’s the thing: being funny doesn’t excuse being dismissive or cold. And Janet’s biggest issue right now isn’t that she’s mean. It’s that she seems incapable of reading the room. Humor can be a shield, but on reality TV, it’s only effective when it’s paired with heart. Lately, Janet’s coming off more Regina George than Kristen Wiig.
Janet opened up about struggles to Jason
One of the few times we saw Janet drop the sarcastic armor was in her scenes with husband Jason Caperna.
In Episode 14, she opened up about the number of trolls that have been coming for her on social media. It was a rare moment of vulnerability. And one that briefly reminded fans why she was cast in the first place. For a minute, she felt real. Human. Sympathetic.
While getting matching tattoos, Janet told her husband, “A comment I see so often is, ‘Wow, he’s great, and she’s a monster.'” She continued, “The insults Kristen’s used towards me recently have been things that I see in the comments. It’s clear she’s reading this stuff and then using it against me to hurt me.”
But the problem is that those moments are few and far between. And when they’re stacked against her, colder interactions with other cast members (especially the women), it becomes harder to root for her. If Janet wants the audience back on her side, she needs to lead with more of that real talk and less of the eye-rolls. Because right now, her brand is starting to look more like judgy mom at the PTA meeting.
Janet just needs to stop being a fan
And while we are on the subject of Janet, someone needs to gently tell her to stop acting like a Bravo superfan. By now, we all know the former PA was a huge fan of Vanderpump Rules. And while her enthusiasm is cute in theory, in practice, it’s getting awkward.
Between quoting Vanderpump Rules in serious conversations (she used a Crazy Kristen reference) and buddying up to Scheana Shay, it all feels calculated. Instead of staying grounded, she often seems to amplify the worst parts of her on-camera persona.
If Janet wants to repair her image, she might need to take a step back from the Bravoverse and find her voice. But I have to be honest, I’m not holding out hope.
The Valley is available to stream on Peacock. The show streams on Hayu in the UK and Ireland.
TELL US – DO YOU THINK JANET CAN TURN THINGS AROUND?
