Jax Taylor has opened up for the first time since his estranged wife, Brittany Cartwright, filed for divorce after five years of marriage. During the latest episode of their podcast, When Reality Hits, Taylor, 45, candidly shared his feelings about the split and the challenges he’s been facing.
Jax Taylor Addresses the Divorce
On the podcast episode, released on September 6, 2024, Taylor reflected on the difficult week he had endured. “I know that Brittany addressed our current situation on last week’s podcast. It’s been a really, really rough week. Anyone that has gone through a divorce will understand how difficult this is,” he said. Taylor confirmed that Cartwright, 34, had indeed filed for divorce and agreed that it was the best decision for their family.
“I understand why she did it, and I agree that this is the right decision for our family,” Taylor continued. While acknowledging the heartache, he expressed hope for a better future. “I’ll always love and care for Brittany. She’s the mother of my beautiful son. All I want for us is to be amicable and even hopefully really, really good friends. One day. I know I’m an amazing father, and I know that I will make an excellent ex-husband.”
Focusing on Co-Parenting Their Son
Taylor emphasized his desire to maintain a positive relationship with Cartwright, particularly for the sake of their 3-year-old son, Cruz. Both Taylor and Cartwright have made it clear that their priority is Cruz’s well-being, and Taylor reiterated this sentiment. He expressed optimism about the potential for an amicable relationship with Cartwright, even hoping that they might eventually become good friends.
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Jax Taylor’s Mental Health Journey
Before diving into the details of the divorce, Taylor took a moment to reflect on his personal struggles, revealing that he had recently spent 30 days in an in-patient treatment facility.
“It was a very, very scary step for me, but it really needed to happen. It’s something I’ve been holding onto for many, many years,” he shared on the podcast. Taylor revealed that during his stay, he learned a lot about himself and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He also acknowledged the challenges he has faced in confronting his mental health issues.
“I’ve known for years that there’s been something wrong, but I just didn’t want to know. During my stay, I found out a lot about myself. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder,” Taylor explained. Since his diagnosis, he has been placed on medication that he says has been helping him significantly. “In time, I’ll definitely speak more about it openly, but right now I kind of just need to deal with this process.”
Brittany Cartwright Files for Divorce
Us Weekly confirmed on August 27, 2024, that Cartwright had filed for divorce from Taylor. According to court documents, Cartwright cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for the divorce and listed their official separation date as January 24, 2024. Cartwright is seeking primary legal and physical custody of their son, Cruz, with visitation rights for Taylor. Notably, she has requested that neither party receive spousal support.
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Cartwright’s Reason for Divorce
Cartwright’s decision to file for divorce followed a period of reflection and effort to salvage the marriage. In an April 2024 interview with Us Weekly, Cartwright discussed her uncertainty about filing for divorce and expressed frustration with Taylor’s lack of effort.
“There are a lot of things, and I’m not seeing enough effort from his side,” she said at the time. She noted that Taylor needed to make changes, such as attending therapy, respecting her more, and curbing his bar-going behavior. Cartwright expressed that she could no longer tolerate the emotional toll it was taking on her. “I was the closest person to him and was kind of like his punching bag. He was always giving me jabs. I can’t deal with that for the rest of my life.”
Co-Parenting Efforts
Despite their marital challenges, Cartwright spoke positively about their co-parenting relationship, emphasizing their efforts to ensure Cruz’s happiness. “If this ends in a divorce, we will discuss what happened with him later in life,” Cartwright said in the same interview. She shared that they have been focused on doing activities like going to the zoo or aquarium with their son and keeping their interactions peaceful.
“I feel like Cruz is happier that we’re not in the same house right now — and that tells me a lot,” she added.
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The Couple’s History
Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright’s relationship dates back to 2015 when they met in Las Vegas. Cartwright soon joined Taylor on Vanderpump Rules during its fourth season, and their romance became a central storyline. In June 2018, Taylor proposed to Cartwright, and they tied the knot one year later in a star-studded wedding officiated by Lance Bass.
The couple welcomed their son Cruz in April 2021, marking a joyous new chapter in their lives. In March 2023, they launched their joint podcast, When Reality Hits With Jax and Brittany, where they frequently discussed their relationship, parenthood, and reality TV experiences.
What’s Next for Jax and Brittany?
As they move forward with their separation, Taylor and Cartwright have continued to collaborate on their podcast, although Cartwright confirmed that they will record episodes separately going forward. Despite the challenges they have faced, both are committed to providing a stable and loving environment for their son.
While Taylor continues to manage his mental health journey and come to terms with the end of his marriage, fans are eager to see how the couple navigates the next chapter of their lives.
