Zack Wickham is back on our screens, but he’s not just here to stir up drama—he’s on a mission to shatter stereotypes and drag queer representation into the spotlight. The Valley’s third season has already dropped, and Wickham is ready to turn up the volume on LGBTQ+ visibility.
For those who haven’t tuned in, The Valley follows a tight-knit group of friends navigating life, love, and chaos in LA. Wickham, who’s gay, started as a “friend of” the show alongside fellow queer cast member Jasmine Goode. Now he’s a main player, and he’s using that platform to show the world the raw, unfiltered beauty of queer culture.
“My number one goal is to represent our community and show facets of it that people in other areas wouldn’t get to see,” Wickham reveals. He’s not just a reality star—he’s an activist at heart, and he’s laser-focused on preserving the legacy of queer history.
“With progress comes pushback, and we’re losing our community a little bit. Younger folks aren’t learning from what I call ‘elder gays.’ Club culture used to pass down knowledge—how things work, why they are the way they are. If I can help keep that flame alive or raise our community up, I’m honored to do it.”
He wants to put a face to the movement, to make drag queens and trans people less scary to the masses. “They’re being scapegoated right now. I want to show people who might never get it that we’re just like them—not something to protect kids from.”
But it’s not all activism and high ideals. Wickham also wants viewers to see more of his love story with partner Benji Quach. The couple is long-distance, a grind he jokes about with a wink: “Don’t fall in love with someone from another country. It’s tedious, but when it’s worth it, it’s worth it. Benji and I are on the same page, making our relationship our own—no heteronormative rules here.”
Viewers will get a deeper look at their dynamic as the season wraps. “We have some big conversations on camera that a lot of people will relate to,” he promises. Still, the long-distance sting is real. “Anyone in our friend group will tell you Benji and I are hilarious together. But it’s hard to film, so people don’t get to see that banter. It hurts a little bit.”
Wickham’s knack for keeping the peace among his explosive friends comes naturally. “I have a Master’s in business and worked as an executive assistant for celebrities like Nicole Scherzinger. Managing personalities bleeds into my friendships. I’m a Libra—I crave balance. I’m always trying to make situations better for everyone. But unlike some people, I will take sides.”
This season, Vanderpump Rules alums Lala Kent and Tom Schwartz join the cast, already part of the friend group off-camera. “It’s totally natural to have them,” Wickham says. Rumors swirled about Scheana Shay joining, but she bowed out. “I’m so mad at her! She’s behind the scenes anyway. I think she’d be great if she ever decides to come on. She’s always been my friend.”
While Wickham won’t be at Scheana’s upcoming stage performance in the UK—plans fell through last minute—he’s cheering her on from afar. “Her performance is going to be amazing. I really wanted to be there.”
The Valley’s third season is swirling with drama, heart, and a fierce determination to make queer stories impossible to ignore. Wickham is just getting started.
