Jax Taylor has responded to estranged wife Brittany Cartwright’s claims that he faked having a heart attack during his stint in a rehab facility.
“I don’t know how I could,” Jax, 45, said on the latest episode of The Valley after show. “I mean, I’m good, but I’m not that good. They test you. How do you fake a heart attack? They have to put devices on you and all that.”
Jax voluntarily entered a treatment facility in July 2024 for undisclosed “mental health struggles” amidst his separation from Brittany, 36. (She filed for divorce on the day of his release that summer.) On the latest episode of The Valley, Brittany alleged that she got a phone call from the facility that Jax had a cardiac issue. She later claimed that he “manipulated” the receptionist to lie and forge medical results after learning he never went to an urgent care for treatment.
During his appearance on the after show, Jax further clarified that he opted against receiving treatment.
‘The Valley’ Recap: Brittany Cartwright Shares Jax Taylor’s ‘Rage Texts’
“[They told me,] ‘You have to go to the hospital, but it’s up to you though,’” he said. “I said, ‘I don’t really want to go right now? Is this normal?’ She’s, like, ‘No, if you’re stressed right now, which I think you are,’ which I was. There’s filming going on and I’m stuck here. My heart and my head were out of control pretty much the whole time there.”
At the facility worker’s urging, Jax decided to rest in his room before making a decision.
“I went to my room and I closed my eyes,” he recalled. “I ended up falling asleep. I think they woke me up, like, ‘Do you want to go still?’ I’m like, ‘No, I’m fine.’ So, I had to sign saying I’m not gonna go.”
He added, “No, I can’t manipulate a facility. That’s kind of crazy. I’ve been known to manipulate some people, for sure, but I don’t understand how I could manipulate nurses. That’s pretty serious.”
Elsewhere on the after show, costar Janet Caperna claimed that Jax was “trying to garner sympathy” from Brittany after she stopped responding to his messages.
Brittany Cartwright Thinks Jax Taylor Went to Rehab Because of ‘The Valley’
“I did talk to Jax about it, like, ‘Dude, what the hell?’” Janet’s husband, Jason Caperna, said, noting his pal said the incident “never happened” as Brittany insinuated. “It’s hard for me to believe a person would do that. I’ve never gotten to the bottom of that story [and] I’ve never wanted to think about it ‘cause it’s too weird.”
Jax checked out his treatment program after a 30-day stay in August 2024.
“Jax has spent the last 30 days in treatment and will be heading back home later this week,” a representative for Jax told Us Weekly in a statement at the time. “It’s been an emotional month for him and he’s most looking forward to spending time with his son.”
Jax, who shares 3-year-old son Cruz with Brittany, checked in for his second stint during the holidays and later revealed he had an addiction to cocaine.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
