Jax Taylor is taking a step back from the Bravo spotlight following The Valley season 2, Us Weekly exclusively confirms.
The 46-year-old announced this decision in an exclusive statement to Us on Wednesday, July 16. “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,” Jax said.
He continued: “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.”
Jax shares 4-year-old Cruz with his ex and costar Brittany Cartwright. The couple — who previously appeared on Vanderpump Rules — tied the knot in 2019. Five years later, the pair admitted to facing challenges in their marriage, with Brittany, 36, confirming she moved into a separate residence. She officially filed for divorce in the summer of 2024 while filming season 2 of The Valley, citing “irreconcilable differences.”
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While the duo navigated their breakup, Jax checked himself into a rehab facility for mental health struggles. Bravo fans followed along with Jax and Brittany’s ups and downs throughout season 2, which premiered in April.
“Our job is to tell the full story,” executive producer Alex Baskin shared in an interview with Variety last month. “If we didn’t tell the story in its completeness, then we would be covering up something that really happened and denying Brittany the chance to share what she had been through. I don’t think that’s really ‘platforming an abuser’ as much as that is platforming the story — which includes Brittany’s experience as well as Jax’s.”
Baskin noted that the show’s main goal is to “tell the story responsibly and fairly, in a way that is entertaining and real,” without glossing over the “dark” aspects as well.
In a statement to Variety at the time, Jax noted via his rep, “I just celebrated my 200th day of sobriety from both alcohol and cocaine. It’s been a long road and continues to be as I work through my mental health issues.” (He previously came forward about his addiction battle in March during an appearance on Baskin’s “Hot Mic” podcast.)
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The season 2 reunion special was taped in May, with the finale set to air July 22. Along with Jax and Brittany, the cast includes Danny Booko, Nia Sanchez, Kristen Doute, Janet Caperna, Jason Caperna, Jesse Lally, Michelle Saniei and more.
Fans previously wondered who they’ll see returning to the screen for the show’s third season. “We’re figuring out all of it,” Baskin told Variety. “It’s very likely the show does look different next season, but I don’t know what different means.”
The producer noted at the time that “no one is guaranteed a job,” adding, “Many times before, we’ve had to make a change based on someone’s behavior. … We don’t want to be in a situation where we are forcing together people who wouldn’t spend the time together in real life. That can become taxing and difficult to watch.”
The Valley airs on Bravo Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET. Stream old episodes anytime on Peacock.
