{"id":415486,"date":"2026-04-01T20:22:14","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T20:22:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/415486\/"},"modified":"2026-04-01T20:22:14","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T20:22:14","slug":"a-look-at-their-journey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/415486\/","title":{"rendered":"A Look at Their Journey"},"content":{"rendered":"

Brittany Cartwright <\/strong>and Jax Taylor<\/strong>\u2019s relationship has played out very publicly\u2014and very dramatically\u2014for more than a decade now. The Vanderpump Rules<\/a> 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<\/strong>, and, ultimately, a split.<\/p>\n

With Season 3 of The Valley \u2014 the spinoff that was originally meant to showcase Brittany and Jax settling into suburban family life \u2014 now here, let\u2019s take a look at where things stand between the exes, including the latest on custody and how they\u2019re navigating life post-breakup.<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfac <\/strong>SIGN UP for Parade\u2019s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0\ud83c\udfac\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

How did Brittany Cartwright and Jax Taylor meet?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe came [up] to me!\u201d she said<\/a> on her podcast When Reality Hits, which she initially co-hosted with Jax. \u201cThere are so many rumors out there that I came to [him] on Instagram or hit [him] up in a DM or whatever.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u2019s \u201ctiny, tiny studio apartment,\u201d she recalled on the podcast. \u201cIt had no air conditioning. You couldn\u2019t even dry your hair and have a fan on at the same time or the power went out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brittany first appeared as Jax\u2019s new girlfriend<\/a> on the fourth season of Vanderpump Rules, and she officially started working at SUR\u2014the restaurant at the center of the show\u2014in May 2016. By Season 6, she was a main cast member.<\/p>\n

Related: Brittany Cartwright\u2019s Most Difficult Moment to Film in Reality TV Career (Exclusive)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

When did Brittany Cartwright and Jax Taylor get married?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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<\/strong>, featured heavily in Season 8 of Vanderpump Rules, with guests including cast members Ariana Madix<\/strong>, Stassi Schroeder<\/strong>, Kristen Doute<\/strong> and Lala Kent<\/strong>, among others.<\/p>\n

Celebrating their one-year anniversary in 2020, Brittany wrote on Instagram<\/a>, \u201cThank you for making me laugh every single day and for being my best friend<\/a>. You\u2019re my lobster and I love you<\/a> to pieces.\u201d She filed for divorce about four years later, in August 2024.<\/p>\n

Did Jax Taylor cheat on Brittany Cartwright?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Yes. Jax cheated on Brittany with former SUR waitress Faith Stowers<\/strong> 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 \u201crot in hell.\u201d) Following a brief on-again, off-again period, the pair reconciled in December 2017 following the death of Jax\u2019s father, and got engaged in June 2018.<\/p>\n

Looking back, Brittany has said she doesn\u2019t believe Jax cheated on her during their marriage. \u201cWe worked together. We did everything together,\u201d she explained<\/a>. \u00a0\u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

That said, she admitted she wouldn\u2019t be surprised if he stepped out on her more times than she knew while they were dating. \u201cBecause 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,\u201d she said. \u201cBut my gut has never been wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

Related: This \u2018Vanderpump Rules\u2019 Star Says She\u2019s Too Ashamed to Rewatch Her Seasons<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Are Brittany Cartwright and Jax Taylor together?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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<\/a>, which she once cohosted with Jax, telling listeners it was \u201cimportant to be real and honest\u201d with them.<\/p>\n

\u201cI made the decision to move into another home to take some space for the sake of my mental health,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

In August of that year, she filed for divorce. Updating fans on her podcast<\/a> yet again, she said, \u201cIt’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\u2026who deserves a happy and healthy mommy.”<\/p>\n

She also seemed to commemorate her divorce filing on Instagram, posting a photo of herself alongside the caption, \u201cGetting my sparkle back.\u2019<\/p>\n

Why did Brittany Cartwright and Jax Taylor split?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Neither Brittany nor Jax has singled out one reason for their divorce, but from what they\u2019ve shared, it\u2019s clear their relationship was bogged down by unhealthy patterns and toxic behaviors.<\/p>\n

After their initial separation, Brittany revealed on an episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen<\/a> that a particularly messy fight pushed her to move out of her home with Jax.<\/p>\n

\u201c…[W]e just had a horrible fight, and it was like the veil was lifted and I noticed everything wrong,\u201d she said. \u201cYou know, they always say a woman can hit her breaking point, and then it’s hard to come back from that.\u201d<\/p>\n

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<\/strong>. That incident prompted him to enter a 30-day mental health facility, where he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and post traumatic stress disorder.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt saved my life,\u201d he said of the stay<\/a>. \u201cI\u2019m probably still here right now because of Brittany and everybody saying, \u2018Listen, you need to go.\u2019\u201d (Still, she filed for divorce after his release.)<\/p>\n

Jax has also opened up about his alcohol and cocaine addiction, which apparently played a role in his marital issues, too. \u201cI’m glad that he finally admitted to what was really going on,\u201d Brittany said. \u201cFor the first time, I can speak openly about the extent of trauma he’s instilled on our family over the years.\u201d<\/p>\n

How many kids do Brittany Cartwright and Jax Taylor have together?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The reality TV veterans share one son, Cruz, who was born April 12, 2021.<\/p>\n

Is Brittany Cartwright and Jax Taylor\u2019s son autistic?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\u2019s developmental challenges\u2014particularly his speech regression around age 2\u2014was featured as a storyline in the show\u2019s first season.<\/p>\n

“Our life is going to look a little bit different, but I feel like I was meant to be his mom,” she told People<\/a>. “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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Did Jax Taylor lose custody of his son?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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<\/a> nights, while Brittany will have him the rest of the time.<\/p>\n

Both parties have also agreed to remain free of alcohol, marijuana or other substances while caring for Cruz.<\/p>\n

Why is Jax Taylor not returning to <\/strong>The Valley<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/p>\n

In July 2025, Jax revealed that he wouldn\u2019t return for Season 3 of The Valley. \u201cAfter an incredibly challenging year and many honest conversations with my team and producers, I\u2019ll be stepping away from the next season of The Valley,” he said in a statement<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“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\u2014especially for our son, Cruz.\u201d<\/p>\n

Season 3 of The Valley premieres April 1 on Bravo and streams next day on Peacock.<\/p>\n

Next: What Are the Housewives Really Worth? See the Fortunes of Bravo’s Wealthiest Ladies<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

This story was originally published by Parade<\/a> on Apr 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the Celebs<\/a> section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.<\/a><\/p>\n