Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright were once Vanderpump Rules’ favorite couple. Fans watched their love story unfold—from a fast-moving romance to a big, dream wedding, and later, the birth of their son, Cruz. Over the years, they faced cheating scandals, heated arguments, and trust issues, but somehow, they always found a way to stay together.

But now, their marriage has fallen apart, and the truth behind their divorce is even more dramatic than a reality TV storyline. Was it Jax’s long-time struggles with addiction? Is Brittany finally reaching her limit? Or a toxic cycle they could never break?

Let’s take a closer look at what really happened.

Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright’s Divorce: The Explosive Fight That Changed Everything

Now, as they navigate separate lives, let’s dive into what really led to their divorce, the shocking car fight that changed everything, their custody battle, and their legal struggles.

The Divorce Filing: When & Why It Happened

Brittany Cartwright officially filed for divorce in August 2024, six months after she and Jax announced their separation. In the legal documents, she cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for their split, marking the end of their five-year marriage.

While their relationship had been rocky for years, Brittany had finally reached her breaking point. She had spent years defending Jax, supporting him through addiction struggles, and standing by his side despite his well-documented bad boy behavior. But one fight in November 2024 changed everything.

The Explosive Fight That Ended Their Marriage

While many assumed Brittany had simply grown tired of Jax’s substance abuse and toxic behavior, she recently revealed that one major blowout fight was the turning point in their split.

On her podcast, When Reality Hits, Brittany recalled a horrible argument she and Jax had in November 2024, right before he finally sought treatment for his cocaine addiction.

According to Brittany, Jax had been partying and using drugs the night before and woke up in a horrible mood. She had begged him not to come along on a car ride to their son Cruz’s doctor’s appointment, but Jax insisted—and that’s when things took a turn for the worse.

What started as a disagreement about a bar opening quickly escalated into a full-blown screaming match. Brittany revealed that while she was already in tears, a phone notification from another man popped up on the GPS screen—and Jax lost it.

“He starts trying to grab my phone, and Cruz is in the backseat in his car seat — that alone is horrible,” she recalled.

Jax lunged for her phone, yelled “the most despicable things” at her, and created a terrifying scene in front of their young son. At one point, Brittany was ready to pull over, get out, and take an Uber home with Cruz to escape the situation. It was the final straw.

Jax Finally Admits He Had a Problem

Jax later admitted on Bravo’s Hot Mic podcast that he “lost it”, “went crazy in the car”, and realized that he needed help.

“That’s when I knew, ‘S–t, I have a problem. It’s still there,’” he said. However, Brittany isn’t buying it. She revealed that Jax actually denied having a drug problem that same day, and she believes the only reason he finally checked into rehab was because he was afraid of losing his job on The Valley.

“If his job wasn’t threatened yet again … he would not have gone,” she said. That same day, Jax also got into a hit-and-run accident, further proving that he had hit rock bottom. Shortly after, he checked into rehab—but only stayed for 17 days before leaving early.

Custody Battle: Brittany Takes the Lead

One of Brittany’s biggest fears during her marriage to Jax Taylor was how his substance abuse and erratic behaviorcould affect their son, Cruz. So when she filed for divorce, she immediately sought primary legal and physical custody, allowing Jax visitation rights.

Jax has openly acknowledged that his addiction struggles jeopardized his relationship with Cruz, ultimately leading to him losing custody. He has since expressed deep regret and claims that his commitment to sobriety is fueled by his desire to become a better father.

At first, Jax seemed to agree with Brittany’s custody request—he accidentally filed paperwork granting her full custody. However, he later walked it back, claiming that it was an error because he had originally filed without a lawyer.

Since then, Jax has fought for more custody rights, insisting that he wants to be a present father in Cruz’s life. Now that he’s 100 days sober, he is determined to prove to Brittany and the courts that he can be a responsible parent.

However, Brittany remains skeptical, saying she has heard these promises before. Whether or not Jax can stay on the right path and rebuild his relationship with his son remains to be seen.

Where Do They Stand Now?

Jax and Brittany’s divorce is still ongoing, but both are focusing on moving forward in very different ways.

• Jax is celebrating 100 days of sobriety, posting on Instagram that he’s staying clean from cocaine and alcohol.
• Brittany remains skeptical, saying she’s heard him make these promises before.
• Jax insists he’s a changed man, while Brittany is leaning on her friends and adjusting to single life.

Reality TV fans are left wondering: Can Jax actually stay sober and turn his life around? Or will he fall back into old habits?

Jax & Brittany’s Relationship Timeline

Before their marriage imploded in a whirlwind of addiction, fights, and legal battles, Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright had a love story that reality TV fans couldn’t get enough of. Their relationship played out on Vanderpump Rules, filled with passion, drama, and second chances—until it all fell apart.

Let’s take a look back at their relationship timeline, from their storybook beginnings to the divorce that shocked Bravo fans.

2015: Love at First Sight—Or A Red Flag?

Jax and Brittany’s story began in 2015, when they met at a bar in Las Vegas. At the time, Brittany was a small-town Kentucky girl working at Hooters, while Jax was already reality TV’s bad boy, known for his infidelity and wild lifestyle on Vanderpump Rules.

Despite Jax’s terrible track record with women, Brittany fell for his charm, and within three months, she moved from Kentucky to Los Angeles to be with him. Red flag? Maybe. But Brittany was all in.

2016: The Cheating Scandal That Almost Ended It All

Barely a year into their relationship, Jax did what Jax does best—he cheated. The bombshell dropped during Vanderpump Rules Season 5, when it was revealed that Jax slept with SUR employee Faith Stowers—and to make things worse, the encounter was recorded on Faith’s phone while she was taking care of an elderly woman.

When Brittany found out, she was devastated—but in true Jax fashion, he denied, lied, and then finally admitted to it. At that point, fans expected Brittany to leave him—but to everyone’s surprise, she stayed.

2017-2018: Engagement & Redemption Arc

After the cheating scandal, Jax went into damage control mode, promising Brittany that he would change for the better. And for a while, it seemed like he did.

In 2017, Bravo gave them their own spin-off show, Vanderpump Rules: Jax & Brittany Take Kentucky, where Jax tried to win over Brittany’s conservative family.

Then, in June 2018, Jax proposed with a $70,000 diamond ring, and Brittany said yes—shocking Vanderpump Rulesfans who were still recovering from his previous betrayal. At the time, Brittany seemed overjoyed, but many fans wondered: Was she ignoring the red flags?

2019: A Fairytale Wedding (With Drama, Of Course)

Jax and Brittany tied the knot in June 2019, in a lavish Kentucky wedding attended by Bravo royalty. The event was full of Southern charm, glitz, and a $100,000 budget.

But behind the fairytale, the cracks were already forming.

• Jax had explosive fights with his groomsmen before the wedding
• Brittany’s friends were still skeptical about Jax’s ability to be faithful
• Jax admitted that he was struggling emotionally after losing his father

Still, Brittany believed in their love and hoped that marriage would change him.

2021: Parenthood & Major Life Changes

In April 2021, Jax and Brittany welcomed their son, Cruz. While Brittany was thrilled to be a mom, Jax struggled with the pressures of fatherhood. Then, in December 2020, they made a shocking announcement: Jax and Brittany were leaving Vanderpump Rules.

While they claimed the exit was mutual, insiders said they were actually fired by Bravo due to Jax’s problematic behavior and controversial social media comments. With no reality TV income and a newborn to raise, their marriage started to feel the strain.

2023: The Cracks Get Bigger

By 2023, Jax and Brittany’s marriage was falling apart. Brittany traveled more without Jax, and stopped wearing her wedding ring, and fans noticed the distance between them. Meanwhile, Jax’s erratic behavior only fueled speculation that their relationship was on the brink.

The breaking point came when Jax admitted to a decades-long cocaine addiction, leaving Brittany fed up with his partying and reckless choices. Then, in November 2024, a final explosive fight made her realize there was no saving their marriage. After years of forgiving and fixing, Brittany walked away for good.

2024: The Divorce Bombshell

In August 2024, Brittany officially filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences and seeking primary custody of Cruz. Jax, filing without a lawyer, accidentally signed over full custody, but later tried to reverse it. In a bid to change, he entered rehab, but left after just 17 days, making Brittany skeptical of his promises.

While Jax later celebrated 100 days of sobriety, Brittany remained focused on moving forward as a single mom, determined to break free from their toxic cycle. Jax and Brittany’s relationship was a wild ride from the start—full of cheating scandals, explosive fights, and second chances.

For years, Brittany hoped Jax would change, but in the end, she had to choose herself and her son. Now, as Jax fights for redemption, Brittany is finally free from the toxic cycle of their marriage. Will Jax prove her wrong and stay sober? Or will he fall back into old habits?

Only time will tell. For more updates, follow TV Seasons and Spoilers.

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