Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright.Photo: Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank
Jax TaylorandBrittany Cartwright’s marriage is over.
Six months afterannouncing their separation, Cartrightofficially filed for divorcefrom Taylor in August 2024. She cited irreconcilable differences andrequested legal and physical custodyof their son, Cruz, whom they welcomed in 2021.
Taylor and Cartwright first met in Las Vegas in 2015, and their relationship was documented onVanderpump Rulesand their spinoffJax & Brittany Take Kentucky. The couple stepped away from the cameras in 2020 but their romance continued.
“Jax will return to filmThe Valleyfor season 2 after completinghis stint at a mental health facility,” a source told PEOPLE a week before Cartwright filed. “However, going forward, [Brittany is] not interested in having anything to do with him.”
From their engagement to starting a family together, here’s everything to know about Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright’s relationship.
Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright attend Katie Maloney’s Pucker and Pout launch party at Frederic Fekkai Hair Salon on July 30, 2015 in Beverly Hills, California.Chelsea Lauren/Getty
When Taylor met Cartwright at theGold Spikebar in Las Vegas, he was starring in the third season ofVanderpump Rules. At the time, Cartwright worked as a waitress at Hooters.
“I was anti-marriage,” Taylor told PEOPLE in July 2019. “I was never, never, ever going to get married. It was not in the cards for me. … Then I met Brittany, and everything changed.”
He continued, “I dated before, and I never even thought about it before. Right when I met Brittany, I knew. If I’m going to do it, this is the one.”
Taylor asked her to move across the country from her family farm in Kentucky to his Los Angeles apartment the next day, adding, “I just knew it was meant to be.”
Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright take a selfie.Jax Taylor Instagram
In May 2015, Taylorposted a selfie on Instagramwith Cartwright at a restaurant in Santa Monica, California — marking the first time the couple appeared together on social media.
Brittany Cartwright and Jax Taylor on ‘Watch What Happens Live.'.Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal
Viewers were first introduced to Cartwright whenVanderpump Rulesreturned for season 4, and Taylor revealed that he had met someone special while on a trip to Las Vegas.
“Out of the corner of my eye, I see this beautiful girl … and I’m still looking at her,“he later recounted. “We start talking [and] I ask for her phone number. She literally moved to L.A. two weeks later.”
The season featured the moment Cartwright arrived in a car full of boxes holding her possessions, and she quickly started meeting his co-workers, includingScheana ShayandKatie Maloney.
According to Taylor, it was Cartwright’s “Southern charm” that “caught [him] off guard.” He added, “I just haven’t seen that in so long.”
Cartwright went on to make a few guest appearances before becoming a full-time cast member on season 6.
Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright attend Kyle Chan’s 3rd annual #LOVECAMPAIGN Party at SUR Lounge on June 27, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.Tibrina Hobson/Getty
In April 2017, Bravo announced that the couple would star in theVanderpump RulesspinoffJax & Brittany Take Kentucky.
The six-episode series premiered on Bravo on Aug. 23, 2017, and saw the pair head back to Cartwright’s hometown and family farm.
Urbanite Taylor was a fish out of the water as he struggled to adjust to farm life and impress Cartwright’s grandmother, Mamaw.
“I thinkmy relationship with Mamawis equivalent to my relationship withLisa Vanderpump,” he said in a clip posted onYouTubefrom the first episode. “She’s the queen of the farm — or, in animal terms, she’s the bull.”
Allegations of an affair between Taylor andVanderpump RulesalumFaith Stowerssurfaced on the season 6 premiere on Dec. 4, 2017, with Taylor initially denying the claim. However, in the following week’s episode, Taylor confessed to cheating on Cartwright with his former SUR co-worker.
“Tell me the truth. You did have sex with her?” Cartwright demanded, to which Taylor responded, “Yes, it’s true. Yes. It was when we were going through bad times.”
Taylor further explained in a confessional, “This isn’t my first time being caught cheating. In the past, I’ve gone through months and months of deny, deny, deny, and that didn’t work out for me … Brittany and I had been fighting for a long time. There’s just so many things. I didn’t know [Faith] was gonna say anything.”
After Taylor admitted the truth, Cartwright told him to “rot in hell” before heading to Las Vegas on vacation. According to the bartender, the moment happened eight months before it aired.
Brittany Cartwright and Jax Taylor on ‘Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen’.Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty
Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty
“I was raised to be a good Christian woman, andthat is all about forgiveness, and I believe everybody deserves it,” Cartwright said on the Jan. 15 episode. “Even Jax.”
Before Taylor promised that “nothing will ever happen again,” Cartwright acknowledged that things would be difficult and encouraged Taylor to seek therapy.
She continued, “I know we’re probably going to get into arguments every now and then because that’s just how life is, but the way you talk to me has got to change.”
Months after forgiving Taylor, fans were shocked to witness Taylor break up with Cartwright onVanderpump Rules.
“It has nothing to do with you, andI need to make some changes,” Taylor told Cartwright. “You deserve to be happy, you deserve to get married, you deserve to have kids, you deserve to have someone treat you like the princess that you are, and I just am not that person.”
He continued, “I am not good in relationships. You deserve a lot better than me. I just don’t think we can be together anymore.”
Amid crying and hurling expletives at Taylor, Cartwright asked, “How can you do this to me whenever I’ve been through so much, and I’m trying to help you and trying to work on things with you?”
By the time their breakup was televised, the couple had reconciled off-screen, and Taylor spoke to PEOPLE Now in December 2017 about their relationship status.
“We’ve kind of weathered the storm,” he explained. “We’re still going through it … [but] we’re in a great place now — probably better than we’ve ever been. I can say the last eight months have been better than when we first started dating.”
Taylor said he was still planning on proposing to Cartwright and making it “really special and romantic for her.”
Brittany Cartwright and Jax Taylor hugging.Nicole Weingart/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal
The happy couple celebrated their engagement at the beachside restaurant Neptune’s Net in Malibu, California. Cartwright latershared two photos of her ring(with her fiancé smiling in the background) while teasing there would be more to come onseason 7 ofVanderpump Rules.
Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright after purchasing their home.Brittany Cartwright Instagram
A few weeks before their wedding, Cartwright revealed on Instagram that she and Taylor purchased their dream home together.
“We have so much to look forward to ❤️,” she captioneda photoof the two holding keys to their new house in Valley Village, L.A. “We are moving intoour first home togetherthis week, we are getting married in less than 2 months, and we start filming season 8!!”
Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright attend the 2019 E! People’s Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on November 10, 2019 in Santa Monica, California.Frazer Harrison/Getty
Taylor and Cartwright tied the knot at the Kentucky Castle in the bride’s home state, with 240 guests attending the magical ceremony.
The bridal party was comprised of her fellowVanderpump Rulescast members, including Scheana, Katie,Ariana Madix,Stassi Schroeder,Kristen DouteandLala Kent.
“It feels amazing,” Cartwright told PEOPLE exclusively before the big day. “We’re stronger and happier than we’ve ever been. We’ve been through a lot, but we came out on the other side. I feel like we’ve just gotten stronger and stronger.”
Taylor added, “We know we love each other. We know we want to be together. We’re just really excited. Just really happy with where we are right now.”
In September 2020, Taylor and Cartwright announcedon Instagramthat they were expecting their first child together.
“We had been trying for around five months, andwe just can’t wait to grow our family,” Cartwright said. “I had the ovulation sticks and all the apps … we were ready to go! I woke up super early to go to the restroom and just had a feeling I should take a test, and it was positive!”
She added, “I cried, I laughed, we were just so happy! Then I took three more tests and cried some more.”
“We are totally over the moon!! We are shocked beyond belief!! This istruly a dream come truefor Jax especially, and we just can’t wait to meet our little prince!!” Taylor and Cartwright told PEOPLE.
Taylor and Cartwrightannounced they would no longer appearon the Bravo series in separate Instagram posts in December 2020.
“The last 5 years on Vanderpump Rules have been some of the most challenging, rewarding and fulfilling years of my life,” Cartwright captioned a series ofthrowback photos. “Although this is difficult to share, Jax and I will not be returning for another season ofVanderpump Rules.”
“He will go down as one of the biggest reality stars in their moment,” Cohen said before adding, “That was an incredible runthat they had.”
Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright with their son Cruz.Brittany Cartwright Instagram
Taylor and Cartwright welcomed Cruz Michael Cauchi on April 12, 2021, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills, California. Both parents shared the same photo of them carefully holding their newborn son.
“I’ve never in my life thought it was going to be like this.. it’s 10000 times better. Dad mode just kicks in,” Taylor wroteon Instagram. “I don’t think I haveever been as happyas I am right now, everything else in life seems so insignificant now.”
Cartwrightechoed the sentiment, writing, “He is the most precious gift and I am so blessed to be his Mommy. 💙 We are soooooo so happy, he is a dream come true!!”
Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright at the 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards on March 27, 2023.Christopher Polk/Variety/Getty
In the premiere episode, Taylor and Cartwright spoke candidly about their relationship, with Taylor admitting there are “good days and bad days” in their marriage. Still, he shared he planned to do whatever it took to make it work.
“I don’t believe in divorce. My parents didn’t get divorced,” Taylor said. “I don’t believe in that. Marriage is work. I’m not saying every day is amazing.”
Later in the conversation, he added, “Even through all this, and even though my life is a lot better now, I’m still tough to handle. I think she’s the only one that can put up with me, really.”
Cartwright agreed, saying, “[It] takes some patience.”
Seven years after their first spinoff, Taylor and Cartwright were cast as leads on the latestVanderpump Rulesspinoff,The Valley. The pair are set to appear alongside formerVanderpump Rulesstar Doute and other new faces when the show premieres on Bravo on March 19.
The spinoff will feature Taylor and Cartwright raising Cruz while Doute explores motherhood with her partner, Luke Broderick.
Brittany Cartwright and Jax Taylor on ‘Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen’.Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty ; Charles Sykes/Bravo/Getty
Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty ; Charles Sykes/Bravo/Getty
In anticipation ofThe Valley’s upcoming release, Brittany invited one of the cast members and her good friend, Michelle Lally, ontoWhen Reality Hitsand their conversation turned personal.
Cartwright revealed that she and Taylor were no longer living together and were spending time apart.
“I’m taking one day at a time,” she said. “I don’t know what the future holds, but right now my focus is on being the best mom to Cruz and I love you guys. Pray for us and everything will be just fine. We’re good.”
The news came about a week after Cartwright addressed rumors about their marriage. According to the Kentucky native, there were new developments in her relationship with Taylor after they filmedThe Valley"months ago,” but she didn’t share further details.
“Marriage is hard and people go through ups and downs all the time and it’s completely normal,” she said. “I just want to make one thing clear and that is that my life is not a publicity stunt for anything.”
Later that same day, Taylor spoke withPage Sixwhile leaving the gym, clarifying that their separation “is not divorce” and that although Cartwright was living separately from him, she’s “back now.”
“We’re actually living together, living in our home right now,” he said. “We’re trying to figure it out. It’s all fresh and new.”
He went on to say that “of course” there’s a chance for them to reconcile, and emphasized that they’re keeping their son a priority.
“We’re just taking some time apart. Just trying to reassess our situation,” he said, adding, “We have a child involved and we just want to do what’s best for our kid.”
He also insisted their upcoming reality show wouldn’t “tear us apart.” Taylor explained, “It’s just two people that are hitting a 10 year mark in their marriage and could go one way or another."
On theVanderpump Rules After Show, Cartwright said she could relate to the issues playing out in costars Madix and Tom Sandoval’s relationship on the reality series. She admitted that at times, things could be “very scary [and] very hard” in her marriage to Taylor.
“I can kind of get how you get into this, like, friendship, like, roommate-type situation and then you just feel like you are kind of stuck a little bit — not that I am — but like I feel that way sometimes if me and Jax are going through our hard times,” she said.
At the premiere ofThe Valley, Cartwright told PEOPLE that she and the couple’s son Cruz have been living at an Airbnb and that she felt “a little bit of relief” while taking space from her marriage.
“Once a woman hits her breaking point, it’s like ‘Done.’ Something like clicked in my head, and I was like ‘I need to step away from this situation. This is not not healthy. This is not a good situation. My son deserves better. I deserve better,'” she said.
Meanwhile, Taylor said that though there’s been “some kind of something going on” in their relationship, they still see each other every day.
“I’m not sure what the future holds for this. But as of right now, this is just the best-case scenario, but this is not a publicity stunt,” he added.
Paul Morigi/Getty, Paul Morigi/Getty
While talking to PEOPLE in April 2024, Cartwright said that she and Taylor are “doing a really good job” parenting Cruz since their split, adding, “And I’ll also take him to the house and play and we’ll swim one day or have him play on his play set and we’ll do different things.”
She went on to say that Jax takes Cruz to the park or Sky Zone.
“I think it’s honestly been better because we aren’t fighting in front of him,” she continued. “And for me, I think that’s what is most important right now. Because that’s why I had to get him out of that situation in the first place.”
On the April 23 episode ofVanderpump Rules, which was filmed before Cartwright and Taylor went their separate ways, she mentioned that they were “officially trying” for their second child during a conversation with costar Scheana.
Taylorgrabbed lunch with model Paige Woolenat the Granville Cafe in Los Angeles. The outing lasted approximately three hours. A day prior, the pair spent time together at the Oaks Bar.
A representative forThe Valleyconfirmed that Taylor entered a facility seeking mental health treatment in July 2024.
“Jax has always been candid about his mental health struggles, especially during the past few months on his podcast,” said the statement. “He has made the decision toseek in-patient treatment. This is a particularly sensitive time for him and his family. They ask for privacy and respect until he is ready to speak more on this matter.”
One day later, Taylor shared a photo with his son, Cruz, onInstagram, writing, “Working ongetting better for youbuddy, I love you. ❤️.”
Kevin Winter/Getty
Cartwright filed for divorce from Taylor shortly after he completed a30-day treatment in a mental health facility. She listed the date of separation as Jan. 24, 2024, and isrequesting legal and physical custodyof their son.
After Cartwright’s filing, a source told PEOPLE that Taylor was feeling “mixed emotions” about the end of their marriage.
“He knows this is ultimately the right decision but is sad that things ended up the way they have,” the insider said. “It’s been an emotional month for him and he’s trying to stay strong for his son.”
The source added that the couple is now focused on co-parenting Cruz.
“Their main priority is getting to a place of being amicable co-parents for their son and this next step will hopefully move them closer to that goal,” they said.
According to court documents, Taylor hasagreed to give Cartwright full legal and physical custodyof their son, Cruz.
During an appearance onBravo’s Hot Mic Podcast, Taylor referred to himself as “an addict” publicly for the first time.
“I have substance issues — primarily with cocaine. It’s hard to say out loud. I’ve been dealing with this on and off since I was 23 and now I’m 45,” he said. “There was times where I would stop doing it but then there were times where I’d go heavy on it.”
In response to the news, Cartwright shared a statement on her Instagram Stories, writing that Taylor’s addiction had done “irreparable damage” to her and Cruz.
“I wish more than anyone I could say how proud I am of him today but I’d be lying. His actions will speak for themselves,” she wrote.
While answering questions from fans, Cartwright explained that she’d “done absolutely everything in my power to get him the help he desperately needed.”
“Once you have a child with someone it’s not easy to leave,” she said. “It took everything in my power to gather the strength to walk away. For those that have been through similar, you get it. For those that question me…that’s okay. I’m in a much better place now.”
source: people.com