Bravo star Brittany Cartwright is speaking out after her estranged husband, Jax Taylor, revealed his longtime struggles with cocaine addiction.
“I’m glad that he finally admitted to what was really going on,” Cartwright, who has appeared on both Vanderpump Rules and The Valley with Taylor, told People on Tuesday, March 4. “For the first time, I can speak openly about the extent of trauma he’s instilled on our family over the years.”
Cartwright married Taylor in 2019 and welcomed son Cruz with him in 2021. She filed for divorce in August 2024. Cartwright told People that she’s “tried desperately to help” Taylor overcome his addiction, “without success.”
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“I pray that one day he completely knocks this addiction, but I’m skeptical. His behaviors are still alarming and his treatment plan seems to be the bare minimum,” she continued. “I’m trying to navigate this as best as I can for my son and I, but every day is still a challenge and very difficult. Jax has caused an enormous amount of damage, and I have very little trust in him at this point. My only hope is that one day, he will be a better person for his son.”
Cartwright’s comments come after Taylor declared himself “an addict” during the March 4 episode of Alex Baskin’s Hot Mic podcast.
“I have substance issues — primarily with cocaine. It’s hard to say out loud,” the reality star said. “I’ve been dealing with this on and off since I was 23, and now I’m 45. There was times where I would stop doing it, but then there were times where I’d go heavy on it.”
Taylor noted that he is now “83 days sober” from both cocaine and alcohol.
“I don’t necessarily think I have an alcohol problem, but the two go hand in hand,” he explained. “I can’t do cocaine without drinking, so I just gave up both.”
Taylor starred on Vanderpump Rules from 2013 to 2020. Cartwright joined the reality series during season four in 2015. During the Hot Mic episode, Taylor recalled filming the show while high on cocaine.
“When I watch back I’m like, ‘How big are my … pupils? I’m sweating and there’s no reason to be sweating in the scene. Why am I sweating?’” he said. “And [producers] did pull me aside a couple times and say, ‘Listen, calm down now.’ They didn’t know [about the cocaine use], but they thought I was drinking too much.”
Taylor also acknowledged how his addiction affected his relationship with Cartwright.
“The only time that Brittany and I really have ever gotten angry [with each other] is the next day after a bender for me. That’s the only time I’ve ever had a shouting match,” he said. “I’ve never done a sober shouting match with Brittany ever.”
Prior to opening up about his history with substance abuse, Taylor revealed in September 2024 that he’d been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and PTSD. That same month, he said during an episode of his and Cartwright’s When Reality Hits podcast that he considers himself a “narcissist” after reflecting on his behavior patterns.
“I don’t know how I became one, [but] I do believe I’m a narcissist,” he said at the time.
If you’re facing a mental health disorder, you’re not alone. Mental health disorders affect people from all areas of life and all ages, but are treatable. Call Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s national helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for treatment referral and information.
—Sara Donnellan, nj.com (TNS)
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