Jax Taylor Admits He Had A 'Challenging Year' While Announcing Departure From Bravo's 'The Valley'

It looks like Jax Taylor is no longer the number one guy in the group, considering the Bravo villain, known for his chaotic antics on shows like "Vanderpump Rules" and "The Valley," has just announced his departure from the network ... once again.

In a statement to Us Weekly, Taylor, a driving force behind the "VPR" spin-off "The Valley," revealed he was stepping away from the series to focus on himself.

"After an incredibly challenging year and many honest conversations with my team and producers, I'll be stepping away from the next season of The Valley," the father of one shared with the publication.

"Right now, my focus needs to be on my sobriety, my mental health, and coparenting. Taking this time is necessary for me to become the best version of myself — especially for our son, Cruz," he explained.

Taylor's departure from Bravo and "The Valley" comes months after the "House of Villains" star candidly opened up about his decades-long battle with cocaine.

During a previous interview, the reality star labeled himself "an addict" before admitting, "I have substance issues — primarily with cocaine."

He continued, "It's hard to say out loud," adding that it's been a struggle of his "since I was 23 and now I'm 45."

"I've never said this in my life," he said. "So, to come out and say that I have an addiction [and] that I have a sickness that I have to work on the rest of my life is a really big deal for me."

While season 2 of "The Valley" was airing on Bravo, watchers saw Taylor check himself into a mental health facility to focus on his well-being.

When Taylor returned from his 30-day stay, many viewers and some of his co-stars felt his behavior hadn't changed, prompting several calls for his removal from the series.

Alex Baskin, one of the show's executive producers, previously addressed that backlash, admitting the production team was "trying to figure out how to tell the story responsibly and fairly."

"Our job is to tell the full story," he said. "If we didn't tell the story in its completeness, then we would be covering up something that really happened and denying Brittany [Taylor's soon-to-be-ex-wife] the chance to share what she had been through," he continued.

Baskin also admitted during a previous interview that he wasn't sure how the future of "The Valley" would look after season 2 officially wraps. "It's very likely the show does look different next season, but I don't know what different means," he said.

According to him, regardless of how long you've been with the network, "no one is guaranteed a job indefinitely."

"Many times before, we've had to make a change based on someone's behavior. But seeking help is the opposite of that. Seeking help is obviously what we completely support," he added.

Baskin further stated that the production team wants to prioritize authentic connections within the cast.

"We don't want to be in a situation where we are forcing together people who wouldn't spend the time together in real life," he said. "That can become taxing and difficult to watch."

Before appearing on "The Valley," Taylor was one of the breakout stars of "Vanderpump Rules," but was famously axed from the series in 2020.

During an episode of his former podcast, "When Reality Hits," Taylor shared that he was the driving force behind Bravo even greenlighting the new series.

"I said, 'Hey Alex, I think I'm ready to come back to TV. I think it's time, I think I've had enough time off. There's a lot going on in Brittany's and my life. And I think there's a lot to be told,'" he said.

Doute, who was also fired from "VPR" in 2020, praised Taylor and Cartwright for their hard work behind the scenes.

"I want to give mad kudos to Jax and Brittany for having this idea. I mean it was an idea that we all talked about many, many years ago," she said.