Brittany Cartwright confirmed she supports her estranged husband Jax Taylor’s exit from The Valley ahead of season 3, though she revealed their relationship remains strained.
Cartwright spoke about Taylor’s departure during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen on July 22. She said she found out about his decision just one night before he announced it publicly.
Taylor, 46, announced his departure from The Valley on July 16 through a statement shared with Variety.
“Right now, my focus needs to be on my sobriety, my mental health, and coparenting relationship. Taking this time is necessary for me to become the best version of myself – especially for our son, Cruz.”
When Andy Cohen asked if she had advance notice about Taylor’s exit, Cartwright, 36, said she learned about it the night before his statement went public.
“And I was like, that was a great decision. By everyone,” she said.
Current Relationship Status
Cartwright described her current relationship with Taylor as “horrible” and said there’s “no trust whatsoever.” She revealed he’s not attending therapy and isn’t contributing to their former home’s mortgage or expenses for their 4-year-old son Cruz.
Regarding Taylor’s sobriety claims, Cartwright expressed skepticism. Taylor had previously stated on Watch What Happens Live that he was 201 days sober and undergoing regular drug testing.
“He’s sober from some things, but not all things. I’ll just say that,” Cartwright said.
Cast Reaction
Unlike Cartwright, the rest of The Valley cast didn’t receive advance notice about Taylor’s departure. A source told PEOPLE the cast was “absolutely blindsided” by his July 16 statement.
“They were not given any advance notifications about his exit.”
The source explained that most cast members expected filming to begin at the end of summer with Taylor participating. “Most of the cast were notified that filming was going to begin at the end of the summer, and they expected Jax would be a part of the new season because – even as lately as yesterday – he hadn’t said otherwise.”
Industry Support
Andy Cohen also backed Taylor’s decision to leave the show. The host told PEOPLE it was a “good decision” after the news broke.
“I think he needs to work out s— without cameras around,” Cohen, 57, said.
On his radio show Andy Cohen Live, Cohen revealed he had a serious conversation with Taylor during the season 2 reunion about “his need for control and his anger issues, and what it’s going to take to get to a better place with Brittany and in the world.”
The Valley reunion airs July 29 on Bravo.
