Brittany Cartwright Reveals Final Straw That Caused Separation From Jax Taylor
By Afouda Bamidele on April 3, 2024 at 11:45 AM EDT
Drama is already unfolding in Bravo's new hit show, The Valley, which stars Brittany Cartwright and Jax Taylor.
The drama began off-screen when "Vanderpump Rules" alums Cartwright and Taylor announced in February that they were taking a break from their relationship. Now, Cartwright has provided insight into the reasons behind the decision.
Brittany Cartwright & Jax Taylor's Marriage Ended After A Fight
Cartwright opened up about the event that led to her decision to split from Taylor after nearly five years of marriage. Speaking to Andy Cohen on Tuesday's episode of "Watch What Happens Live," the reality television star said:
"We just had a horrible fight and it was like a veil was lifted, and I noticed everything wrong. You know they always say a woman can hit her breaking point, and it's hard to come back from that."
She revealed that the disagreement stemmed from her decision to go out with her friend and "The Valley" co-star Kristen Doute one evening.
According to Cartwright, her estranged husband "woke up one morning and was mad" that she and Doute had gone out the night before and ended up making up "a story in his own head and started a fight about something that never happened."
"It got to the point where we fought about everything…it could be about anything at that point. It was just a very toxic situation that I felt like I needed to remove myself from," the 35-year-old stated.
When Cohen referenced hints from "The Valley" cast members that Taylor may have cheated by asking if there was any infidelity, the mother of one responded, "Not that I'm aware of. I don't think so, I really don't think so." She later said:
"I did all the digging. We made sure that wasn't true. Janet from 'The Valley,' she dove in and was like, 'no, no, no, let's figure everything out,' so we already knew that wasn't true by that point."
Ultimately, Cartwright believes that there will always be rumors about Taylor when it comes to infidelity. She further expressed that even though couples therapy "needs to happen," they have not gone in that direction yet.
Cartwright Doubled Down On The Reason For The Separation Last Month
Cartwright previously addressed the infidelity rumors last month when she confirmed that she did not walk out of her four-year marriage because of another woman. In her words:
"The truth is that we have just been fighting and not on the same page for a while now, and it was just becoming a negative space in our own house. I just don't want that for our son. I don't want him growing up thinking it's normal to live like that."
She reiterated that her marriage was devoid of any cheating, saying, "Jax did not cheat on me, but we got into a very bad fight, and I decided to pack up my stuff, and I've been staying in an Airbnb since January 24."
Will Viewers Catch The Unraveling Of Cartwright's Marriage On-Screen?
While it is uncertain whether this separation will ultimately result in a divorce or a reconciliation, reports claim that Cartwright is determined to document the process for fans to see.
Per The Blast, a film crew, likely responsible for filming footage for "The Valley," was spotted outside the former couple's residence. They accompanied Cartwright as she moved her luggage out of the house.
She was seen with a suitcase at her feet, conversing with several crew members before they left. The "God Bless the Broken Road" star was reportedly filmed retrieving more of her belongings from the home in a black and taupe turtleneck paired with black high-waist trousers.
The 35-Year-Old Dismissed Rumors That The Split Is A Publicity Stunt
Cartwright's appearance came after she addressed speculation regarding the authenticity of her and Taylor's separation.
In case you missed it, fans speculated that the pair's breakup might be a clever publicity stunt for "The Valley" before its March 19 premiere.
Speaking on the rumors in an interview, the Bravo star shared, "This is definitely for my mental health. Like, I think that has been one of the hardest parts right now - that people are speculating that I am doing something for the show coming up... No."
Cartwright also claimed that she and her son, Cruz, "deserve better" before adding:
"We want a good co-parenting relationship, and I think moving out and taking space to figure out if this is what I want is the best situation for me right now."
Brittany Cartwright Announced The Breakup On A Podcast Episode
Cartwright has remained in headlines since she broke the news of her separation from Taylor during an episode of their joint podcast, "When Reality Hits." On the Thursday, February 29 show, she told listeners:
"I know on my last podcast, I alluded to many marriages go through rocky times. 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."
After admitting that her "focus is on being the best mom to Cruz," she concluded the announcement by imploring her fans to "pray" for her and Taylor and emphasizing that they are both "good."