Jax Taylor‘s Vanderpump Rules costars have offered their unfiltered thoughts on his cocaine addiction and subsequent sobriety.
Taylor made his Bravo debut on Vanderpump Rules in 2013. His highs and lows — including his marriage to Brittany Cartwright — were at the center of the series until his exit in 2020. Taylor didn’t stay away from reality TV for too long and by 2024 scored his own series with Cartwright titled The Valley.
After the first season, Taylor checked himself into a treatment center. He revealed he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder before later confirming he was 83 days sober following a cocaine addiction.
“I have substance issues — primarily with cocaine. It’s hard to say out loud,” he said on Bravo’s “Hot Mic” podcast in March 2025. “I’ve been dealing with this on and off since I was 23 and now I’m 45. There were times where I would stop doing it but then there were times where I’d go heavy on it.”
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Taylor discussed cutting out alcohol, as well. “People ask you, ‘Do you have an alcohol problem too?’ I don’t necessarily think I have an alcohol problem but the two go hand in hand,” he continued. “I can’t do cocaine without drinking. So I just gave up both. I’m proud to say I’m 83 days sober right now, which is the longest I’ve ever gone in my life without either.”
In response to Taylor’s confession, he received support from several of his former costars. Keep scrolling for their unfiltered responses — including Cartwright’s defense for staying with him amid his addiction:
Brittany Cartwright
“His addiction unfortunately has done irreparable damage to my son and I,” Cartwright, who shares son Cruz with Taylor, wrote via her Instagram Story. “I’ve spent years trying to help him. I wish more than anyone I could say how proud I am of him today but I’d be lying. His actions will speak for themselves.”
Cartwright addressed criticism about her past relationship with Taylor.
“And to those asking why I stayed if I knew he had a problem all these years. You can’t help who you fell in love with. I’ve done absolutely everything in my power to get him the help he desperately needed. Unfortunately, I was naive and believed his empty promises and his pleads to change for years,” she continued. “Once you have a child with someone, it’s not easy to leave. It took everything in my power to gather the strength to walk away. For those that have been through similar, you get it. For those that question me … that’s OK. I’m in a much better place now.”
Tom Sandoval
“I mean, I think that’s amazing,” Sandoval said on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen in March 2025 “I’m so proud of him, I think that’s so awesome. He really seems like he’s really been working on himself. For real. For real this time.”
Despite being “somewhat aware” of Taylor’s “problems,” Sandoval didn’t elaborate on the details, adding, “I mean, I’ve been around him over the years.”
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Lala Kent
After Taylor expressed plans to reach out to Kent — who was six years sober herself — she weighed in on his personal growth.
“Now that Jax has come out talking about his addiction, it’s a very, very delicate subject,” she shared on Amazon Live. “Sobriety for someone, it’s not one size fits all. Everyone has a different level of addiction but addiction is addiction.”
Kent mentioned Cartwright’s state of mind, too. “Brittany is one of my dearest friends. I know a lot,” she added. “I don’t know what is going to be shown on their new season of The Valley. What I do know is I’m very close with her and anything that we’ve discussed, that is her story to share.”
Lisa Vanderpump
Vanderpump recalled questioning Taylor’s behavior during the season 8 finale. She told Cohen “something was awry, for sure” before expressing hope that Taylor remained sober.
“But Jax is very stubborn and he is going to tell you what he wants you to know,” she shared on Radio Andy. “I knew something was going on but [I don’t have much contact with him] on The Valley. I am not that involved — not like I am with Vanderpump Rules.”
Scheana Shay
After learning of Taylor’s addiction revelation, Shay admitted that it was a “long time coming.”
“That would be the worst-kept secret if we didn’t know,” Shay said on her “Scheananigans” podcast before claiming, “Everyone knew Jax did cocaine. That was not a secret.”
Shay pointed out specific moments from the show, adding, “There were things that were caught. I think at [Jax and Brittany Cartwright’s] wedding, there was a plate of coke that was just on the table in his hotel room. There are things that I saw. … It was never production supplying it or being OK with it. I think they didn’t notice. That would have never made it to air,” she clarified. “But it has to go through editing and through so many people. But I just don’t think anyone was looking at the little plate on the table.”
Shay continued: “He definitely came out of the bathroom with white stuff on his nose every here and there. But they would have never supplied, supported or anything like that. It’s just like, we’re drinking and he’s doing that and we’re smoking weed. It is what it is — but no — that was never something that they were behind.”
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).
