Jax Taylor Once Said He Didn't 'Believe in Divorce' Prior to Wife Brittany Cartwright Filing to End Marriage

Mar. 15, 2025

From left: Brittany Cartwright and Jax Taylor.Photo:Steven Simione/FilmMagic; Gary Gershoff/Getty Images

Steven Simione/FilmMagic; Gary Gershoff/Getty Images

A year and half beforeBrittany Cartwrightfiled for divorce,Jax Taylorrevealed that he didn’t consider legally splitting up as an option.

The Valleystar, 45, reflected onthe ups and downs of their marriage— which includedweathering infidelity scandalsto taking on parenthood together — in a March 2023 interview with PEOPLE.

“I don’t believe in divorce. My parents didn’t get divorced,” Taylor shared at the time. “I don’t believe in that. Marriage is work. I’m not saying every day is amazing.”

From left: Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright.Noam Galai/Bravo via Getty

Noam Galai/Bravo via Getty

“There’s good days and there’s bad days, but that’s marriage, and that’s what makes your relationship stronger,” he continued. “We love hard. We fight hard. It’s amazing.”

Taylor said the pair were “best friends” and his wife was the “only one” who could “put up” with him. “We have a lot of fun with each other. I honestly can’t imagine my life with anybody else. Like I said, she’s the ying to my yang, a little,” he explained.

“I’m a tough guy to be around, so it takes a certain person to deal with my crap,” he continued. “Even through all this, and even though my life is a lot better now, I’m still tough to handle. I think she’s the only one that can put up with me really.”

From left: Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright attend the Los Angeles special screening of Lionsgate’s “Midnight in the Switchgrass” at Regal LA Live on July 19, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.Kevin Winter/Getty

Kevin Winter/Getty

Nearly a year later, Cartwright, 35, announced the couple’s decision to separate in Feb. 2024.

“I know on my last podcast, Ialluded to many marriages go through rocky times,” she shared at the time. “Yes, marriages in general are very hard and I’ve had a particularly rough year this past year. Jax and I are taking time apart and I made the decision to move into another home to take some space for the sake of my mental health.”

The mother and reality star — who shares son 3-year-old son,Cruz Michael Cauchi, with Taylor — said on the podcast that the breakup was “still very hard to talk about,” and she was “taking one day at a time.” She added, “I don’t know what the future holds, but right now my focus is on being the best mom to Cruz.”

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Cartwright requested legal and physical custody of Cruz, but asked that the court grant Taylor visitation rights. Cartwright also asked the court to terminate spousal support to both parties.

The divorce news comes days after Taylor completed a30-day treatment in a mental health facility.

Earlier this month, a source told PEOPLE that Taylor would bereturning to shoot season 2 ofThe Valley— which also stars fellowVPRalumKristen Douteas well as newcomers Luke Broderick, Jesse Lally, Danny Booko, Nia Booko, Michelle Lally, Jason Caperna and Janet Caperna — after completing his mental health treatment.

source: people.com