Reza Farahan is ready to reveal what the Shahs of Sunset cast really thinks of his new Bravo show.
“Lilly Ghalichi, who you may remember from seasons 2 and 3, has been unbelievably supportive and amazing,” Reza, 52, exclusively shared with Us Weekly at the launch party for Mauricio Umansky’s partnership with fashion brand ARI. “I talked to Destiney [Rose]. Sara Jeihooni, who was just on one season, has been really wonderful. She was on Kings Court. I hit her up to congratulate her on Kings Court. She hit me up to congratulate me.”
During BravoCon 2025 weekend in Las Vegas, Bravo released the first trailer for its new show, titled The Valley: Persian Style.
The series promises to follow Reza, Golnesa “GG” Gharachedaghi, Mercedes “MJ” Javid and their tight-knit group of Persian friends who have traded Beverly Hills for suburban life in the Valley.
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The show comes nearly five years after Shahs of Sunset aired its series finale.
“I heard from Mike [Shouhed], who told me, ‘The show wouldn’t be that great. It wouldn’t have the sparkle and the magic of Shahs.’ And I’m like, ‘Why? Because you’re not on it,’” Reza said with a laugh. “It’s so Mike. Can’t hate it.”
Shahs of Sunset premiered on Bravo in 2012 and followed a group of Iranian Americans living in and around Beverly Hills. Reza, GG, 43, MJ, 53, and Mike, 47, were all original cast members who appeared in all nine seasons.
While Reza is thrilled to once again live life in front of reality TV cameras, he’s also excited for the release of his upcoming memoir, titled Memories of a Gay Shah: My Story of Family, Fame and Becoming a King.
Set to be released on April 7, 2026, the book explores the reality star’s life as a “little Persian kid” to his life today as a happily married gay man.
“I cried 47 times writing it. I healed parts of myself that I didn’t realize still needed healing,” Reza explained to Us while inside ARI’s Beverly Hills location. “It’s so true that when you write things and you put it down, you release it in a way. It has the most complicated, difficult, turbulent, trying, joyous, triumphant [memories] and it’s in there.”
Reza teased that some chapters will look back on his experience as a Shahs of Sunset star before the show was put on indefinite pause.
In the book, Reza hopes to share a real perspective on life as a reality star.
“We had tremendous success, and then it was all taken away, and no one ever talks to you about that,” he explained when recalling the end of Shahs of Sunset. “There needs to be a department or a transitional team that helps you deal with when they put you ‘on pause.’ … There were times when I was literally walking around thinking to myself, ‘If I’m not a Shah anymore, I don’t even know who I am anymore,’ because this thing has been so important to me and such a big part of my life for so long.”
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Through all the ups and downs, Reza is grateful his friendships with GG and MJ have remained intact.
As he explained, “I dare say it’s the holy trinity of Shahs.”
The Valley: Persian Style premieres on Bravo Thursday, January 8, at 9 p.m. ET.
