Brittany Cartwright and Jax Taylor’s relationship has played out very publicly—and very dramatically—for more than a decade now. The Vanderpump Rules stars, whose romance began in Las Vegas before unfolding on reality TV, have taken fans along for every high and low, from a cheating scandal and a televised wedding to the arrival of their son, Cruz, and, ultimately, a split.
With Season 3 of The Valley — the spinoff that was originally meant to showcase Brittany and Jax settling into suburban family life — now here, let’s take a look at where things stand between the exes, including the latest on custody and how they’re navigating life post-breakup.
How did Brittany Cartwright and Jax Taylor meet?
Brittany and Jax first met in 2015, at the Gold Spike in Las Vegas. At the time, Jax was already a main cast member on Vanderpump Rules, which was then in its third season, and Brittany, who worked at a Hooters in Kentucky, had no clue he was a reality TV star.
“He came [up] to me!” she said on her podcast When Reality Hits, which she initially co-hosted with Jax. “There are so many rumors out there that I came to [him] on Instagram or hit [him] up in a DM or whatever.”
Either way, sparks flew and they began a long-distance relationship, traveling back and forth to see each other before Brittany eventually made the move to Los Angeles and into Jax’s “tiny, tiny studio apartment,” she recalled on the podcast. “It had no air conditioning. You couldn’t even dry your hair and have a fan on at the same time or the power went out.”
Brittany first appeared as Jax’s new girlfriend on the fourth season of Vanderpump Rules, and she officially started working at SUR—the restaurant at the center of the show—in May 2016. By Season 6, she was a main cast member.
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When did Brittany Cartwright and Jax Taylor get married?
Brittany and Jax exchanged vows on June 29, 2019 at the Kentucky Castle in her home state. The ceremony, which was officiated by Lance Bass, featured heavily in Season 8 of Vanderpump Rules, with guests including cast members Ariana Madix, Stassi Schroeder, Kristen Doute and Lala Kent, among others.
Celebrating their one-year anniversary in 2020, Brittany wrote on Instagram, “Thank you for making me laugh every single day and for being my best friend. You’re my lobster and I love you to pieces.” She filed for divorce about four years later, in August 2024.
Did Jax Taylor cheat on Brittany Cartwright?
Yes. Jax cheated on Brittany with former SUR waitress Faith Stowers in 2017, and the fallout became a major storyline on Vanderpump Rules Season 6. (The tension exploded in Episode 2, when Brittany famously told Jax to “rot in hell.”) Following a brief on-again, off-again period, the pair reconciled in December 2017 following the death of Jax’s father, and got engaged in June 2018.
Looking back, Brittany has said she doesn’t believe Jax cheated on her during their marriage. “We worked together. We did everything together,” she explained. “I had all his passwords. I had everything. I would use his phone. He would use my phone. And honestly, he was just sleeping, snoring on the couch, and farting everywhere.”
That said, she admitted she wouldn’t be surprised if he stepped out on her more times than she knew while they were dating. “Because there were times where I just knew he did, but he would just never admit to it, or I could never get 100 percent proof,” she said. “But my gut has never been wrong.”
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Are Brittany Cartwright and Jax Taylor together?
Nope. Brittany first announced their separation in February 2024, one month before the premiere of their show The Valley, which was meant to follow the couple into suburban Los Angeles. She revealed the news on her podcast When Reality Hits, which she once cohosted with Jax, telling listeners it was “important to be real and honest” with them.
“I made the decision to move into another home to take some space for the sake of my mental health,” she added.
In August of that year, she filed for divorce. Updating fans on her podcast yet again, she said, “It’s taken me many, many years to get to this point where I’ve gained enough courage and strength to do what was best for me, get myself out of a toxic relationship and ultimately see my worth. It’s been very difficult, but I’m stronger than ever and my motivation is my son…who deserves a happy and healthy mommy.”
She also seemed to commemorate her divorce filing on Instagram, posting a photo of herself alongside the caption, “Getting my sparkle back.’
Why did Brittany Cartwright and Jax Taylor split?
Neither Brittany nor Jax has singled out one reason for their divorce, but from what they’ve shared, it’s clear their relationship was bogged down by unhealthy patterns and toxic behaviors.
After their initial separation, Brittany revealed on an episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen that a particularly messy fight pushed her to move out of her home with Jax.
“…[W]e just had a horrible fight, and it was like the veil was lifted and I noticed everything wrong,” she said. “You know, they always say a woman can hit her breaking point, and then it’s hard to come back from that.”
Another turning point, which took place while they were separated, involved Jax throwing furniture after he discovered that Brittany had been messaging his friend Julian. That incident prompted him to enter a 30-day mental health facility, where he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and post traumatic stress disorder.
“It saved my life,” he said of the stay. “I’m probably still here right now because of Brittany and everybody saying, ‘Listen, you need to go.’” (Still, she filed for divorce after his release.)
Jax has also opened up about his alcohol and cocaine addiction, which apparently played a role in his marital issues, too. “I’m glad that he finally admitted to what was really going on,” Brittany said. “For the first time, I can speak openly about the extent of trauma he’s instilled on our family over the years.”
How many kids do Brittany Cartwright and Jax Taylor have together?
The reality TV veterans share one son, Cruz, who was born April 12, 2021.
Is Brittany Cartwright and Jax Taylor’s son autistic?
Yes. In April 2025, Brittany revealed that her son was diagnosed with autism by his developmental pediatrician in the fall of 2024, before the second season of The Valley wrapped. Her journey navigating her son’s developmental challenges—particularly his speech regression around age 2—was featured as a storyline in the show’s first season.
“Our life is going to look a little bit different, but I feel like I was meant to be his mom,” she told People. “He is my better half. He is my little partner in crime. He is everything to me, and even though he can’t talk, I know everything that he wants, everything that he needs.”
Did Jax Taylor lose custody of his son?
No. Jax and Brittany reached a custody agreement in March 2026, establishing joint legal and physical custody of their son, Cruz. Under the arrangement, Jax will have Cruz every other weekend and on Wednesday nights, while Brittany will have him the rest of the time.
Both parties have also agreed to remain free of alcohol, marijuana or other substances while caring for Cruz.
Why is Jax Taylor not returning to The Valley?
In July 2025, Jax revealed that he wouldn’t return for Season 3 of The Valley. “After an incredibly challenging year and many honest conversations with my team and producers, I’ll be stepping away from the next season of The Valley,” he said in a statement.
“Right now, my focus needs to be on my sobriety, my mental health, and coparenting. Taking this time is necessary for me to become the best version of myself—especially for our son, Cruz.”
Season 3 of The Valley premieres April 1 on Bravo and streams next day on Peacock.
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This story was originally published by Parade on Apr 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the Celebs section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.