Jax Taylor has never been one to hold back—on screen or off. As one of the original cast members of Bravo’s long-running hit Vanderpump Rules, Jax was at the center of the show’s most chaotic and dramatic moments. From explosive arguments and infamous cheating scandals to his lavish wedding with Brittany Cartwright, he was a fixture of the franchise.
But when Jax and Brittany announced they were leaving VPR in December 2020, fans were left with more questions than answers. Many suspected that the couple hadn’t exactly left on their own terms. Now, Jax is finally setting the record straight about what really led to his departure—and it involves some behind-the-scenes drama, a refusal to go to the beach, and a whole lot of texts.
Jax Taylor: The Face of Vanderpump Rules Chaos
Before diving into the reason behind his VPR exit, let’s rewind a bit and look at who Jax Taylor is in the world of reality TV.
The Original Reality Villain
Jax debuted in Season 1 of Vanderpump Rules as a bartender at SUR, the West Hollywood hotspot owned by Lisa Vanderpump. With his bad-boy persona, frequent flings, and inability to stay out of drama, Jax quickly became the guy fans loved to hate. Despite his questionable choices, he remained a main cast member through Season 8.
His On-Screen Love Story
Jax’s romance with Brittany Cartwright became a major storyline. From cheating scandals to a televised proposal at a theme park and an extravagant wedding in Kentucky, viewers watched their entire relationship unfold. Their wedding, which aired during Season 8, seemed like the beginning of a new chapter—but just a few months later, that chapter came to a sudden close.
Was Jax Fired or Did He Quit?
When Jax and Brittany announced their departure from Vanderpump Rules, they claimed it was their decision to move on from the show and focus on family. But fans weren’t entirely convinced. After all, other long-time cast members like Stassi Schroeder and Kristen Doute had recently been fired for past controversies.
So, was Jax actually fired? Or did he really walk away?
The Truth Comes Out on Jax’s Podcast
Fast forward to 2024, and Jax is opening up like never before. On his podcast In the Mind of a Man, he sat down with none other than Vanderpump Rules executive producer Alex Baskin. The conversation turned candid—and a little uncomfortable—as the two discussed what really went down behind the scenes.
The Real Reason Behind Jax Taylor’s Vanderpump Rules Exit
Jax admitted that he was his own worst enemy when it came to his spot on the show. And according to both him and Alex Baskin, his refusal to cooperate with production was the final straw.
The Beach Day Debacle
“I think my final demise – which put the nail in the coffin for me – is towards the end,” Jax explained. “They wanted us to film at the beach, which was in Malibu. We all live in Hollywood.”
To the average viewer, that may not seem like a big deal. But for Jax, the idea of sitting in Los Angeles traffic to film a short scene was a dealbreaker.
“I said that we can do the same scene at a park in West Hollywood. Like, why do we need to go to rush hour to get to Malibu to shoot a five-minute scene, which is going to take two hours to get there?” he said.
In other words, Jax didn’t want to go to the beach—and it wasn’t just a matter of preference. He openly pushed back against the producers’ plans, micromanaged filming locations, and ultimately refused to participate.
Micromanaging and Sabotaging Production
Jax didn’t stop at just refusing to go to the shoot. According to executive producer Alex Baskin, the problem was what Jax did behind the scenes.
“You were being a pain in the ass about it,” Baskin recalled. “Then you were texting other people. So then, of course, we saw those texts and were like, ‘Can you believe Jax is sabotaging the production?’”
That word—sabotage—is key. While Jax may have seen his actions as harmless venting, to production it looked like active interference. And for a show that thrives on structured chaos, behind-the-scenes sabotage is a serious offense.
A Moment of Regret
Looking back, Jax admits that his actions were shortsighted.
“It was such a dumb ass move,” he said. “I feel like that was my nail in the coffin because I’ve rubbed [the producers wrong] throughout the years.”
Over the years, Jax had built a reputation for being difficult and unpredictable. But this final incident—what he calls his “final stand about traffic”—was the tipping point. In his words, he needed “a piece of humble pie.”
A History of Bad Behavior
Jax has never been shy about his struggles, both personal and professional. His time on Vanderpump Rules was peppered with highs and lows, often blurring the line between drama and self-destruction.
Substance Abuse and Sobriety
In recent interviews, Jax has revealed that he’s been dealing with substance abuse for over 20 years. Today, he says he’s sober and focused on becoming a better version of himself—not just for Brittany, but for their son, Cruz.
This new chapter in his life has been captured on The Valley, Bravo’s spinoff series that stars Jax, Brittany, and a group of fellow Vanderpump alums. While the show isn’t quite as explosive as VPR, it’s more focused on real-life issues like parenting, marriage struggles, and (yes) impending divorce.
Jax and Brittany: Where Are They Now?
In Season 1 of The Valley, fans watched the couple juggle business ventures, parenting duties, and relationship challenges. But by the end of the season, it was clear that not everything was rosy.
Season 2 is expected to document Jax and Brittany’s divorce process and their efforts to co-parent their son peacefully. It’s an emotional rollercoaster, but one that’s giving Jax an opportunity to reshape his public image.
How the Audience Responded to His Departure
When Jax and Brittany left Vanderpump Rules, reactions were mixed. Some viewers felt the show had outgrown its original cast. Others felt the show lost a key player—love him or hate him, Jax always brought drama.
Now that he’s opening up about what really happened, fans are getting a more nuanced look at his exit.
Redemption or Reputation Ruined?
Jax’s recent honesty could be a form of redemption. By admitting fault, showing growth, and being transparent about his struggles, he’s creating space for a new narrative—one that doesn’t revolve around bar fights and backstabbing.
Still, skeptics remain. Some fans think Jax is using this podcast confession to regain relevance. Others genuinely appreciate the candid insight into what it’s like to be part of a hit reality show—and what happens when the cameras stop rolling.
Final Thoughts: The End of an Era or a New Beginning?
Jax Taylor’s departure from Vanderpump Rules wasn’t as clean or voluntary as we were led to believe. But in true Jax fashion, he’s owning it—kind of. Whether you think he was fired for good reason or believe he was unfairly pushed out, there’s no denying that Jax helped define VPR during its most iconic years.
Now, he’s carving out a new path on The Valley, embracing sobriety, and trying to be a better father and partner—even as his marriage hits rocky waters.
What We Can Learn from Jax’s Story
If there’s one thing to take away from Jax’s candid confession, it’s that reality TV stars are human too. The pressure to perform, the constant scrutiny, and the toll of fame can lead to burnout and bad decisions. Jax made mistakes—plenty of them—but he’s also trying to grow.
Will fans forgive him? Will his new show resonate the way Vanderpump Rules did in its prime? Only time will tell. But one thing’s for sure: Jax Taylor isn’t done telling his story.
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