Jax Taylor Opens Up About Struggles with Dark Times, Revealing His Son Cruz as His Light and Motivation to Keep Going
Jax Taylor has opened up about hitting “rock bottom” during the filming of Season 2 of The Valley. The reality star credits his 3-year-old son, Cruz, whom he shares with ex-wife Brittany Cartwright, for helping him persevere through tough times. “I want my son to see, ‘You know what? My dad went through a hard time. He was sick, but he worked his ass off for me to be here today,’” Taylor shared.
At the premiere of The Valley season 2 on Thursday, April 10, the Vanderpump Rules alum, 45, indicated that viewers will witness his struggles from the past year, which included a long-standing battle with addiction and his divorce from Cartwright.
“It’s going to be bad. It’s going to be really, really bad,” Taylor remarked about the upcoming season.
He elaborated, “… I was at rock bottom, going through a divorce, losing my house, going to rehab twice, being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD, finding out my friend was sleeping with my ex-wife, losing friends. I mean, you name it. Losing my son,” referring to Cartwright’s request for primary legal and physical custody of Cruz. “It was a really, really, really tough year for me.”
Taylor emphasized that the one constant in his life during those challenging times was his son, Cruz, whom he previously mentioned on Bravo’s Hot Mic podcast as a key reason for his decision to get sober.
“The only reason I’m still standing right now is because of my son,” Taylor explained. “There were some dark moments where I was just like, ‘I don’t want to be here anymore.’ But I could never be that selfish and do that to my kid. I just couldn’t.”
He reiterated his commitment to being a strong role model for Cruz, stating, “I want my son to see, ‘You know what? My dad went through a hard time. He was sick, but he worked his ass off for me to be here today.’”
Taylor has consistently described Cruz as the “best thing that has ever happened” to him and his “biggest accomplishment.” He expressed his affection, saying, “[Cruz] makes me so happy. He’s the one, the only reason I’m still here. And I love that little boy more than anything in the world. He makes me smile. And he’s just the most delicious little boy ever.”
Looking ahead, Taylor noted that the footage airing in the upcoming season was “shot a year ago,” and now “everyone’s in a different place,” hinting at changes in relationships and dynamics, particularly regarding his co-parenting relationship with Cartwright.
In August 2024, Cartwright filed for divorce from her husband of five years. Following the news, a source shared that her primary focus is on Cruz as she and Taylor work towards becoming amicable co-parents.
“Jax is feeling mixed emotions. He knows this is ultimately the right decision but is sad that things ended up the way they have. It’s an emotional month for him, and he’s trying to stay strong for his son,” the source noted.
“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,” the insider added.
The Valley Season 2 premieres on Tuesday, April 15, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Peacock.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
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