Roxanne 
In the ever-dramatic world of reality television, few names stir the pot quite like Jax Taylor. But his recent and abrupt departure from The Valley has left not just fans, but also his castmates, and even his ex Brittany Cartwright, reeling with surprise.
On July 16, Taylor, 46, announced he would be “stepping away” from the show ahead of its third season. His statement, shared with Variety, cited deeply personal reasons. “After an incredibly challenging year and many honest conversations with my team and producers,” Taylor said, “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.”
But despite the intention behind the statement, the execution left much to be desired — especially for those closest to him. A source told PEOPLE that the cast of The Valley was “absolutely blindsided” by the news. “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. This is a huge surprise.”
And perhaps no one was more surprised — or more candid — than Brittany Cartwright herself.
Appearing on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen on July 22, Cartwright, 36, confirmed she had minimal warning before Taylor’s announcement. “I found out the night before,” she revealed. “And I was like, that was a great decision. By everyone.”
But the conversation quickly turned personal, shedding light on just how strained her relationship with Taylor has become since their separation. When asked to describe where things stand between them, Cartwright didn’t hold back: “Horrible,” she said plainly. “There’s no trust whatsoever.”
She went on to say that Taylor isn’t contributing financially to their shared responsibilities — namely, the mortgage on their former home or expenses for their 4-year-old son, Cruz. “He’s still not in therapy,” she added.
As for Taylor’s claims about sobriety — he told Cohen in a prior appearance that he was “201 days sober” and undergoing regular drug testing — Cartwright expressed skepticism. “He’s sober from some things, but not all things,” she said. “I’ll just say that.”
While Taylor’s decision to step away from The Valley was framed as a personal reset, the fallout suggests a deeper rift — not only with the show’s cast but within his own family. As the cameras prepare to roll for season 3, they’ll do so without one of the show’s most polarizing figures — and with plenty of real-life drama still playing out off-screen.
