Jax Taylor is no stranger to relationship struggles. Known for his dramatic personal life on reality TV, Taylor recently opened up about his divorce from Brittany Cartwright. The couple’s relationship began on Vanderpump Rules and later played out on The Valley.
Fans watched their marriage unravel during Season 1 of the spin-off series. Now, Taylor is sharing more details about their split and his efforts to grow as a person.
Speaking on Bravo’s Hot Mic podcast with host Alex Baskin, Taylor addressed his behavior during the marriage. The couple, who are now divorcing, share custody of their young son, Cruz. During the conversation, Taylor admitted that he had been “verbally abusive” towards Cartwright, and fans will witness this aspect of their relationship in Season 2 of The Valley.
Facing Mental Health Challenges
Taylor revealed that he recently took a significant step by checking himself into a mental health facility, where he was diagnosed with PTSD and bipolar disorder. He explained how he reached a breaking point and what led him to seek help.
“I was coming home from the gym, and my buddies were there and just saying, ‘Listen, it’s time for you to go,’” Taylor recounted on the podcast. He continued, “It was a lot of people, and—not to break the fourth wall or anything—but my manager saw me kind of going a little bit off the rails, and they said, ‘Maybe this is a good move for you.’ So, I honestly have to thank them because I was bad. It was really, really bad.”
The experience at the facility made a profound impact on him. “I don’t know where I would be if I didn’t go to this institution,” Taylor admitted. He also revealed that the difficult period in his life coincided with filming for Season 2 of The Valley, a time when his actions were especially harmful.
“As you’ll see in [Season 2] of The Valley, I was in a really dark, dark place,” Taylor said. “I did some really awful things, and what I mean by awful things is I was verbally abusive ….”
Jax Taylor Is Working on Himself
Since his stay at the mental health facility, Taylor has been making strides toward bettering himself. He explained that starting medication for the first time in his life has been transformative.
Jax Taylor (Credit: Bravo)
“I’ve never been on medication in my entire life until I went through the facility, so I think this is playing a huge role,” Taylor shared. “I was very stubborn [in the past]. This is the first time I’ve gotten help. Ever since I’ve been on this medication, it’s been amazing. I’ve had no outbursts; I haven’t been angry. It’s a game-changer.”
Cartwright has not been silent about the situation either. She took to social media to tease her plans to record a podcast, hinting that she would share her perspective on their split.
Fans of The Valley can expect an emotionally charged Season 2 as Taylor’s personal struggles and their impact on his marriage take center stage. Despite the challenges, Taylor appears committed to his journey of personal growth and becoming a better person for himself and his family.
Stacey Rusch, a new face on The Real Housewives of Potomac, has quickly captured the attention of viewers with her unique relationship situation. While she is currently dating Thomas Anthony “TJ” Jones, Rusch is estranged from her husband, Thiemo Rusch.
This unusual dynamic has led fans to question what Thiemo thinks about the show, especially since he is not involved in it. During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Rusch addressed these questions and gave insight into her personal life, including her relationship with her estranged husband and her boyfriend, TJ.
Thiemo Rusch’s Reaction to the Show
When asked about her estranged husband, Rusch shared that Thiemo does not watch The Real Housewives of Potomac. Despite not being part of the show, Thiemo remains supportive of her. “He’s happy for me, [and] he’s happy that [our daughter] Arabella is happy,” Rusch explained. This shows that while Thiemo may not be interested in the spotlight, he’s content with his ex-wife’s reality TV journey and her personal happiness.
Stacey Rusch and TJ Jones: A Relationship Built on Faith
Rusch also shared details about her relationship with TJ Jones, which she describes as important and grounded in faith. According to Rusch, faith plays a central role in their bond. “Our relationship is grounded in our faith and God, and we are choosing to take things slowly,” she said.
This suggests that Rusch and Jones are taking a thoughtful approach to their relationship, ensuring that it grows with time and care. She also expressed confidence in their connection, stating, “I don’t think I need to [test him out]. I mean, look at him. I think we’re gonna be just fine.”
TJ Jones Speaks About Their Growing Relationship
TJ Jones, who was present as the bartender on the episode, also opened up about his relationship with Rusch. He described their journey together as “new and interesting and challenging,” but emphasized that these challenges have only strengthened their bond.
“It’s only made us closer,” Jones said, expressing how they have grown together despite the hurdles they face. His words suggest that while their relationship is still in the early stages, they are already becoming stronger partners.
Ashley Darby’s Comment and Rusch’s Response
One of the recent controversies surrounding Rusch has been her interaction with Ashley Darby, another Potomac cast member. After Rusch shared details about her ongoing divorce, Darby made a comment about her new relationship with TJ. Rusch did not appreciate Darby’s interruption and responded strongly to the situation.
“My reaction was absolutely justified because Ashley was being messy,” Rusch said. She explained that she was opening up about her personal journey, including the struggles of her divorce, and felt that Darby minimized her experience by immediately focusing on her new boyfriend.
TJ Jones Defends Rusch Against Ashley’s Comment
Jones stood by Rusch’s side during the conversation, offering his support. He described Rusch as his “North Star” and explained that he always listens to how she feels. Jones understood why Rusch was upset and defended her need to tell her own story.
Stacey Rusch (Credit: Bravo)
“She was feeling like, ‘This is my news to share. It’s not your news to share,’” he explained. He also acknowledged that Ashley’s comment made Rusch feel like her divorce and journey weren’t being taken seriously. “I gotta go with my baby on that,” Jones concluded, showing his full support for Rusch’s perspective.
Watch The Real Housewives of Potomac on Bravo
The Real Housewives of Potomac airs every Sunday on Bravo, and episodes are available to stream on Peacock. Fans can continue to follow Rusch’s journey as she faces her relationships with both her estranged husband and her new boyfriend, TJ. It’s clear that Rusch is finding her place in the Potomac group, but her personal life remains at the heart of her story on the show.
