Jax Taylor Talks Brittany Cartwright Divorce, The Valley New Season, and More

Summary

Bravo's Hot Mic: Jax Taylor Talks Brittany Cartwright Divorce, The Valley New Season, and More

In this emotionally charged episode of Bravo's Hot Mic, host Bravo TV sits down with Jax Taylor, a prominent figure from Bravo’s reality TV universe, to delve deep into the tumultuous events surrounding his recent divorce from Brittany Cartwright, his struggles with mental health, and the exciting developments in the new season of The Valley. The conversation offers an unfiltered glimpse into Jax’s personal battles, his journey towards self-improvement, and his evolving professional endeavors.

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1. Navigating Separation and Emotional Turmoil

The episode begins with Jax reflecting on the year marked by significant personal upheaval. He candidly shares the emotional weight of his separation from Brittany, comparing it to profound losses in his life.

Jax Taylor [00:50]: “Divorce is like going through a death. Dealing with my father's death was the hardest thing I've ever had to go through in my life. This is right under that.”

Jax describes the confusion, fear, and emotional drain he felt during this period, emphasizing the depth of his despair and uncertainty about the future.

2. Discovering Brittany’s Relationship with Julian

A pivotal moment in their separation was Brittany's relationship with Julian, a mutual friend. Jax recounts how he discovered this relationship, which became a catalyst for his downward spiral.

Jax Taylor [02:26]: “I saw a message from Julian on her phone—a simple message, but it was at night and very weird. I caught her lying, and an hour into the conversation, she finally broke and told me.”

The revelation of Brittany dating Julian violated their separation agreement, which prohibited seeing friends or mutual acquaintances. This breach of trust deeply hurt Jax, feeling it was a “slap in the face” given his investment in Julian’s career.

Jax Taylor [03:26]: “I felt like it was such a slap in the face to me a little bit.”

3. A Downward Spiral into Mental Health Crisis

The mounting stress from the separation and betrayal pushed Jax into a severe emotional breakdown, leading to destructive behavior and eventual institutionalization.

Jax Taylor [04:24]: “I threw furniture. Luckily, my son was upstairs, but that was my breaking point.”

Jax describes his reluctance to seek help initially, hindered by societal stigmas around men discussing mental health.

4. Institutionalization and Bipolar Diagnosis

Jax details his experience in a mental health facility, shedding light on the challenges of accepting help and the relief of receiving a proper diagnosis.

Jax Taylor [05:36]: “They diagnosed me with bipolar disorder, not depression. Switching my medication was a game changer.”

In rehab, Jax underwent extensive therapy, which provided him with vital tools to manage his mental health. This period marked the beginning of his journey toward stability and self-awareness.

Jax Taylor [07:39]: “I compared it to going to Home Depot. They gave me new tools, and I learned how to use them.”

5. Rebuilding and Current State of Mind

Post-rehab, Jax has established a routine that anchors his daily life, emphasizing the importance of therapy, medication, and structured habits in maintaining his mental well-being.

Jax Taylor [10:58]: “I've been checking in with my therapist every other week. My medication has helped so much. It's changed my life.”

He acknowledges his past mistakes and expresses a genuine desire to change, striving to be a better father and individual.

Jax Taylor [25:44]: “I just make stupid mistakes. I'm trying to be a lot more humble and grateful.”

6. Impact on Marriage and Divorce Proceedings

The strain in Jax and Brittany’s marriage culminated in divorce proceedings, with Jax clarifying misconceptions about initiating the separation.

Jax Taylor [25:29]: “I initiated the divorce by emailing Brittany about getting a mediator, not the other way around.”

Despite his efforts to amicably resolve their differences, Brittany chose to proceed with a more formal legal separation, leading to public misconceptions about the dynamics of their split.

7. Co-parenting Amidst Personal Struggles

Jax discusses the complexities of co-parenting with Brittany, highlighting his commitment to being an involved father despite personal conflicts.

Jax Taylor [37:59]: “Co-parenting has been fine. I'm just trying to be flexible and supportive for Cruz.”

He emphasizes the importance of maintaining stability for their child, striving to navigate their schedules and responsibilities collaboratively.

8. Professional Ventures and Future Plans

Amidst personal challenges, Jax is proactively shaping his professional future. He shares plans to expand his business ventures, including opening new restaurants and launching a podcast focused on mental health.

Jax Taylor [31:41]: “We're hoping to open another restaurant in Nashville and Florida. I'm starting another podcast called In the Mind of a Man to advocate for mental health.”

These initiatives reflect his commitment to growth and using his platform to support others facing similar struggles.

9. Reflections on Personal Change and Public Perception

Jax addresses public perceptions of him, acknowledging his flawed past while asserting his ongoing efforts to improve.

Jax Taylor [24:43]: “I get seen as a terrible person, but I'm not malicious. I have a big heart and want to be a good person.”

He hopes the new season of The Valley will showcase his transformation, urging viewers to withhold judgment until they see the complete narrative.

Jax Taylor [47:55]: “This is going to be a really interesting season. I hope people can watch the whole season before they make any judgments.”

10. Conclusion: A Season of Transformation

As the conversation wraps up, Jax emphasizes the challenges and revelations that The Valley will portray, promising an honest portrayal of his journey through divorce, mental health recovery, and professional reinvention.

Jax Taylor [47:41]: “It's going to take the cake. I hope people can be patient and understand the full context of my story.”

He closes with a sense of optimism, looking forward to the future while acknowledging the ongoing nature of his personal growth.

Jax Taylor [48:08]: “Work in progress and more to come. This season is going to be very tough, but I hope people can be patient with me.”

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Key Takeaways:

• Emotional Honesty: Jax provides a raw and transparent account of his struggles, highlighting the profound impact of his separation and mental health challenges.

• Mental Health Advocacy: His journey from denial to acceptance of his bipolar diagnosis underscores the importance of seeking help and destigmatizing mental health issues, especially for men.

• Commitment to Growth: Jax's ongoing efforts to rebuild his life, both personally and professionally, illustrate his determination to overcome past mistakes and foster positive change.

• Complex Co-parenting Dynamics: Navigating co-parenting amid personal turmoil presents significant challenges, yet Jax remains focused on providing a stable environment for his child.

• Future Prospects: With new business ventures and platforms aimed at supporting mental health, Jax is positioning himself as a proactive participant in his own recovery and as an advocate for others.

This episode serves as a poignant exploration of resilience, vulnerability, and the continuous journey towards self-improvement, offering listeners an intimate look into Jax Taylor's life beyond the glitz and glamour of reality TV.

Transcript

[Host]

Welcome to Bravo's Hot Mic, and I'm here with Jax Taylor. We have known each other for. I don't even know how long at this point. 12 years? 13 years. Yeah. And it seems like there's always new developments in your life. There have been plenty over the past year, and that's what we're here to cover. Last season of Hot Microsoft, you were on with Britney, and there was turbulence in your marriage, which was covered on the Valley. And then shortly after we wrapped that, or actually right before the show premiered, then you guys announced your separation, and we're sort of picking up from there. So first, just tell me how you are right now, having been through everything.

[Jax Taylor]

That's a load of questions that you've been through. Yeah, it's really today. You talking about today? I'm okay today. You know, it's probably been one of the hardest years of my life, I think, right up there. I feel. I feel like going through a divorce is like, you know, going through a death. You know, dealing with my father's death was the hardest thing I've ever had to go to my life. This is right under that. I mean, this is. This is bad, you know, and, you know, it could be worse, but it's pretty bad right now. It's pretty bad. It's just. It's emotional. It's draining. It's. I can't believe we're here. It's scary. It's confusing. It's. Am I doing the right thing? Are we doing the right thing? Is this. How do we get here? You know, there's just a lot going on in my head.

[Host]

Yeah. So I recently spoke to Brittany about the situation, and I think you guys have both been going through it, is what I would say. And it seems like you guys both had some hope when you separated earlier this year that you guys could figure it out.

[Jax Taylor]

When we separated, we decided to. Yeah. Take some time apart. And, you know, but there was some things that happened during the separation that, you know, that I just can't come back from. There's, you know, relations that she had with friends of mine.

[Host]

So let's get into that, because. Came out recently, Lala, on her podcast, talked about the fact that Britney was dating your friend Julian. Right.

[Jax Taylor]

Yeah.

[Host]

And so let's talk about that. How did you discover that Britney was dating Julian, and why was that so out of bounds to you?

[Jax Taylor]

Yeah, I saw it on her phone. We were sitting in my house, and her phone was on the coffee table, and a message popped up, and I looked at it. And it was a simple message from Julian, but it was at night, and it was just a very weird message. And I caught her on it, and I caught her in a couple lies. And then, you know, I got it out of her, you know. You know, an hour into the conversation, she finally broke and told me. And I was just. That's where it started. I was just in shock. Now, mind you, when we separated, we agreed. We said, hey, listen, we can see other people. Because we thought maybe we needed to go our separate ways and see other people for. To see if we were right for each other. But one of the rules was no friends or nobody we know. I don't think I would have been bothered by it if it was somebody else that I didn't know, but the fact that it was one of my friends that I brought into my group that I've taken care of, that I've helped get a manager that I've helped, you know, build relationships with. I've helped. I just did a lot for this guy. I just felt like it was such a slap in the face to me a little bit.

[Host]

Was also. Was part of it that. That you didn't know. So finding out about it that way.

[Jax Taylor]

Yeah.

[Host]

Upset you?

[Jax Taylor]

Yeah, because she was keeping it a secret. And through that whole. There was a whole five, six months where I wasn't seeing anybody, but this was going on. And, you know, we were going back and forth. She was sometimes staying at the house. We were going out to dinner. We were kind of. Yes, we were separated, but we were still hanging out with each other. Meanwhile, she was dating this guy. And, you know, I don't have the best track record. I've done my fair share of things. Maybe it's karma, but, man, it's. I definitely got a taste of my own medicine, for sure. Obviously, we know what happened with. When, you know, with the Faith situation. So it just didn't feel good. It didn't feel good. No matter. Yeah. It just. It put a really bad taste in my mouth. And that's kind of where the downward spiral started for me, because I don't know if obviously everybody knows or maybe they don't, but that's kind of. The last eight months of my life have been hell. I've been just kind of. I went off the deep end. I really did.

[Host]

Yeah. And you were saying that it's sort of. It began with that. And what was it about that? Was it then knowing effectively that your marriage was over? What was.

[Jax Taylor]

She came and stayed at the house. I was leaving for an appearance. I had to go. No, I'm sorry. It was 4th of July. I was leaving for a week from 4th of July. I was going to Michigan to see my sister and she was going to Kentucky. And we had, I'll be honest, we had relations before I left. Literally right before I left. And you know, things were looking good, things were looking great. I come back home and I said, hey, what do you think about moving back? And she said, yeah. And then she was upstairs cleaning and I just saw the iPad and she was still talking to Julian and sending him, her. Him pictures, like naked pictures and pictures of my son. And I was just like, I just, I lost it. And that's where. That was my bottom. That was where I hit the bottom of the barrel. That's where I just saw red. I kind of had an out of body experience. I'm not going to lie to you. I went crazy. I threw furniture. Luckily, thank God, thank God my son was upstairs. But that was my breaking point. That was my breaking point. And then two days later, I ended up in an institution.

[Host]

So tell me about that. Tell me about checking into the facility.

[Jax Taylor]

And it was probably the hardest thing of my life. It was very scary. How it all happened was my friends came and picked me up. They kind of had an intervention. I was coming home from the gym and my buddies were there and just saying, listen, it's time for you to go. And it was a lot of people not to break the fourth wall or anything, but you know, my manager saw me kind of going off a little bit off rails and. And they said, maybe this is a good move for you. So I, I honestly have to thank them because I don't think I was bad. It was really, really bad. I don't know where I would be if I didn't go to this institution. Like I really, really needed to go and I didn't want to go. My ego was just. Couldn't even fit through the door when I got there. I didn't want to be there the first week. It was a struggle for me. The first couple days I was in an element that I wasn't used to. I was scared. I wasn't sure what kind of people I'm going to walk into. Is there people in strai jackets? Am I going to be in a padded room? Are they going to like, you know, sedate me? I didn't know what was going to go. I've never done. I've only seen TV shows. So I was just. I have no idea what I'm walking into. And it wasn't that bad. It was a beautiful home. You know, the people there were really, really nice. But it took me about three to four days to really get comfortable. And by the end of, like, the. I was there for 30 days. And by the end of the second week, I really, really liked it. Like, I loved being there. I had a routine. I would get up in the morning, I'd have my breakfast. I go to the gym. I go to. I had seven hours of therapy for 30 days. Seven hours of different therapy sessions. Then I would see my doctor. They let me leave the house for one hour a day to go to the gym. A nurse would accompany me. I would read a lot. I journaled a lot. I just really got a lot out of it. And I finally figured out what was wrong with me, because I knew there was something wrong. I didn't want to know. I thought it was depression. And, you know, I got to the facility and they're like, you're not depressed. You're bipolar. And I was on medication for being depressed. I was on Lexapro. Then they switched me over to a new medication. And ever since I've been on this medication, it's been. It's been amazing. I've had no outbursts. I haven't been angry. It's been a game changer.

[Host]

Well, you told me that you felt like everything was unlocked for you and that you had wondered what was. What was wrong with you?

[Jax Taylor]

I didn't know. And I come from the background of, you know, the 80s and the 90s where men really didn't talk about mental health. My dad was the kind of guy that just would say, suck it up. Nothing against my father or his father, but we just didn't talk like that. We did. If you were sad, if a guy was sad, my dad would be like, you know, why? Stop. Enough. Who cares? Suck it up. You don't need to be sad. We just. It wasn't his fault. That was just our gener. That was the generation we lived in. And I think now, I think the last five years, five to eight years, I think it's really been a. Mental health has really been a big thing, and especially for men. I've been doing a lot of research on it, and the suicide rate for men is just out of control. And it has a lot to do with mental health, because I feel like men put a lot on their shoulders. And I feel like we don't talk about things because we're too proud, you know, And I feel like, you know, there's Just a lot that we deal with, you know, as men.

[Host]

Yeah, yeah. Well, no, and it's great talking about it. It's great that you're so open about your experience.

[Jax Taylor]

I'm very open about it. And I went back and forth about, you know, filming certain aspects of it. And I asked, I go, listen, can I do some video blogs while I'm in there? I got special perm because I wanted to document this because I thought, you know what? I signed up for reality TV years ago and part of reality TV is being open about everything. I've always said you can't pick and choose what you want to talk about. We signed up for this life and I thought, you know what? Yeah, this is going to suck this season. This is going to suck. This is probably the hardest year of reality TV that I've ever filmed in my life. But if I can help somebody, if somebody can see, oh shit, Jax is going through this or he went through this. Maybe I can talk about some, you know, maybe I can open up about it. Maybe I'm dealing with it. Maybe he's doing it. Why can't I? So if I can help one or two people, then it was worth it.

[Host]

I have to say. We were very concerned.

[Jax Taylor]

Yeah, a lot of people were. Yeah, a lot of people were. I thought maybe can I not. I was like, can I knock this out in a week? Can I knock this out? Because it took a lot of my summer and, and you know, it was 30 days and it just so happened. It was right in the middle. Now, I don't know if I can say this or not, my breaking the wall, but it was right in the middle of my filming schedule and I was kind of bummed. I'm like, you know, couldn't this happen? You know, a couple months ago would have been a little better, but no, I, you know, I was like, I can knock this out. I didn't think I needed to go. I think I just needed medication and I would have been done. I just, I was so, I was just so hard headed at that time and I was so just spiraling, spiraling. And the fact that everybody said, listen, you're going, you're going, and they didn't really give me an option. So I needed it and I really needed the 30 full 30 days. And I don't even think I got the full. I think I didn't even scratch the surface. You have to be there for 30 days, you know, And I felt like going there gave me, I compare it to like going to Home Depot. And, you know, you're going to build a house and you get all these new tools, right? They gave me all these new tools. I got all these bright, shiny, brand new tools with a belt, and they kind of, okay, this is how you use them. And it was just. I was really excited to learn why I do certain things. I was going over situations and I was so honest and I was raw, and I got into my childhood and tried to figure out why I do certain things. And, you know, realizing bipolar, it's genetic, it was just eye opening. I was emotional. I was crying every day. You know, just. I'm getting emotional now. I just. Just talking about all these things and why I do what I do.

[Host]

Have you been. What have you done since then? What is the. What does the maintenance look like right now?

[Jax Taylor]

I've just been checking in with the therapist every other week. I have a good guy that I talk to. And, you know, my medication. Medication has helped so much. It's just helped so much. It's changed my life. I just let things roll off my back now. I don't really get angry anymore. It's just. It's been great. You know, I. If I have, like an episode where I'm getting anxiety or whatever, I have all my journals that I read. I took so many good journals and so many good notes. So instead of the morning, you know, reading my phone or Reddit or whatever, I get to go through my journals and just kind of set my day. Yeah, I stay on a routine now. I get up in the morning, I have my coffee, I go to the gym, I call Brittany to make see what she needs with me for cruise if I have to take him to school or whatnot, pick him up from school. Usually if I don't do that, then I'll set a play date in the afternoon. I'll come home, go to the gym, take care of my house. Like, I have a routine now, which I didn't have a routine before. I was living recklessly.

[Host]

It seemed like when you went to the facility, you were getting help. I thought there might be some prospects that you and Britney would get back together, but obviously that didn't happen and the marriage ended. Tell me about that.

[Jax Taylor]

The first week. And so we were allowed to have our phones. I know it sounds weird, but we were allowed to have our phones at certain times of the day. And the first week, I was just. I was asking Brittany, can you please bring Cruz to see me? I was allowed to have visitors. And she said, sure, yes. And then she took it back and then I kind of went crazy on her the first week. And I started, you know, texting and going rage texting and all this because I didn't have anybody there. All I wanted to see was my son. You know, I just. That was my one glimpse of hope being there. I've never been away from him for more than two days. So now you put me in this issue for 30 days, being away from my 2 year old or 3 year old. I'm sorry. And it was just. It was a lot for me. Like, I just. I'm going to miss this. I'm going to miss moments. So it was tough for me. I mean, I did that in the beginning, and then I caught myself and I didn't do it again. That was tough.

[Host]

And then the wedge issue between you guys beyond that, that you weren't actually getting along while you're in the facility, is you made plans when you were leaving the facility to move out of the house and to move actually halfway.

[Jax Taylor]

Through the facility, again, 30 days. About halfway through, my buddy called me and said, hey, listen, there's this new building that just popped up and Schwartz just moved in. And the two townhouses, beautiful townhouses, we moved. Anyway, he's like, they're going to go quick. They're beautiful. Why don't you look into it? And so I did it all over the phone. I called my real estate agent sight unseen. I said, this building, he said, he sent me pictures on Zillow. Schwartz moved in, and I literally moved in a week later. So we literally. Tom and I lived together, you know, for many, many years. We both got married for 10 years. Now we're back living together again.

[Host]

Oh, my God.

[Jax Taylor]

We literally, like, have our houses is connected. We have our own unit. He lives on one side, I live on the other side. We both have patios that connect. It's, it's, it's. Yeah, but the place is beautiful. Like I said, it's a beautiful townhouse and I'm really, really happy there. I thought it was gonna be the right thing. I thought, you know, when I did this, I thought she'd be like, wow, he took some initiative and, you know, he's gonna move out and, you know, let me and Cruz move back in, because I thought that's what she wanted, and it was the opposite. She wanted me to really work on the marriage.

[Host]

Yeah. And I think her contention, too, was that she. That you knew that she had other commitments as well, that she was paying for the Airbnb.

[Jax Taylor]

Yeah. But I thought it was month to Month. I had no idea that she paid three months out. And also, you know how Ellie is like, I had to jump on this. It would be gone. Like it was too good to be true. It was a brand new building. It was, It's a beautiful place. The price was ridiculously cheap and I just, I had to take it or would have been gone.

[Host]

What was Schwartz's reaction when you told him you were moving in?

[Jax Taylor]

He was nervous in the beginning. Obviously everything's fine now, but he was nervous in the beginning. He's like, oh my God. He's like, I just got done, you know, I just, I'm still dealing with the Sandoval thing. You know, people think I'm a frat boy and all this. He's like, this is going to be terrible. Like, he's like, I love you, Jackson, but this is not good. So in the beginning he was razzing me, but to be honest, he's the one that comes over my house all the time. He's the one knocking on my, my door. He thought it was going to be me, you know, coming over to his house. But he's, we've been good, you know, it's been working out really, really well. He comes and checks on me, I come and check on him. He's brought me flowers. He'll say, hey, you want to go get some dinner?

[Host]

Does he bring you plants?

[Jax Taylor]

He brought me plants.

[Host]

Signature move.

[Jax Taylor]

That's a token, Schwartz. Yeah, plants, plants and Hungry Man's because, you know, dinners. I'm back to that life again. So it's been really, really good. It's been better than expected, actually.

[Host]

So, speaking of Sandoval, you guys are actually on really good terms because you're close again, right?

[Jax Taylor]

You know, you really find out who your friends are when you go to something like this and you find out who calls and checks on you. And I gotta say, Sandoval and my mom, believe it or not, are the ones that checked in on me the most. And I was like, I didn't see that coming. Cause I really haven't talked to Tom that much during this whole thing. I've kept my distance, but it was really like I didn't even tell him I was going. You know, there's some people that just didn't know. I just went, obviously the tabloids picked it up very soon, but I did not expect the calls from Tom, the checking in. I mean, how are you? How's it going? I know what you're going through. I've been there, you know, I'm Dealing with this. How are you? Like, I was just shocked and I was just like, you know, we kind of picked off, picked up where we left off.

[Host]

What did you make of Rachel Levis's statement about.

[Jax Taylor]

I gotta be honest with you, I've talked to Rachel four times in my life and it's always been three words, hi or how are you? I didn't even know what she said. I still don't know what she said. People messaged me about it, but I didn't give it any attention.

[Host]

Yeah, it didn't mean anything.

[Jax Taylor]

I, I, I don't personally like how she attacked, you know, the show, attacked the network. So I don't like what she said on what's her Nate Faces podcast, Bethany's podcast. We're all adults here. We all are responsible for our decisions. So for her to blame other thing and blame this and you know, say she maybe just say you're in a bad place but don't blame other people and don't knock the job that gave you what you have today.

[Host]

You've always been really protective of the show in that sense. And even though there's been times that were really tough and you know, we talked last time about, you know, how your final season on Vanderpump was not fun, you didn't want to be there, you know, all of that.

[Jax Taylor]

I needed a piece of humble pie as much as leaving Vanderpump really. That was kind of where it all started for me when, you know, leaving the show because it was a really bad time. You know, Britney was pregnant. Covid was just starting. I lost my job. Like it was a recipe for depression. And I started resenting Britney and I started just being angry. That's where all, everything started, you know, and, and yeah, the last two seasons it was kind of token where the last, usually the last week of filming I would just be. And I, I, you were so funny, getting snotty. I was just like not showing up.

[Host]

When you would text cast members not to go to something because it was too far away.

[Jax Taylor]

So I was like, I was start, I started to micromanage a little bit. I'm like, we're going to, we're going to Malibu on a Tuesday afternoon at 3:00. I think this is all going to be driving. It was just, it was a bad, bad. I just, I needed a, that was just, my ego was getting out of control. It was out of control.

[Host]

And then it seemed like I paid.

[Jax Taylor]

The price, I lost my job.

[Host]

And yeah, I mean that happened. That was a reset in your life?

[Jax Taylor]

Yeah.

[Host]

You know, and I. And I. The. You know, by the time the Valley came along, we started talking about the Valley, then I know you were at a point in your life where you were even considering moving.

[Jax Taylor]

Yeah, I mean, I think we've. I've said that every season where I'm getting moved or I'm going to take a career like this, and I didn't know what to do. Like I said, I wasn't sure what to do. Like, reality TV has been my whole life, really. Well, not my whole life. I'm sorry. A good chunk of my life and everything I do revolves around reality tv. And I think I've given everything to the show. I've given everything to Vanderpump. I've been very open about everything that I've gone through. I've been very raw. All my. Everything's out there, you know, Everything's out there. So I've given everything to reality tv. So I just felt like I couldn't leave, but I was like, I know that there's a place for me in this world. And that's when I approached you, when I felt like it was time for me to come back.

[Host]

Yeah. Yeah. And I think one of the reasons that the Valley worked the way that it did is that it was something old, something new. And so I think that it was, for the audience, a chance to see where you guys were in your life now, Kristen as well, and then meet a whole bunch of new people. And it's a different life phase, but it's even more complicated than Vanderpump was.

[Jax Taylor]

Yeah, I think it came out at the right time. I think. You know, when we were talking about this, I was talking with Ryan. We would go to Casa Vega, and we bring notepads, and we would just talk about ideas and how we're going to do this, and it just came out at the right time. I figured people grew up with us. You know, people want to see the next step as much as Vanderbilt is awesome, but going to clubs and dancing and cheating on each other, it gets stale after, you know, 10, 11 years of the show. This show has been awesome, but, I mean, they needed another chapter. I feel like. I feel like there needed to be a next step, and I felt like this is the next step. I mean, I feel like we're not quite housewives material, but we're not Vanderpump anymore, where there's that middle gap, where we're, like, still trying to figure it out, but at least we have families now. There's a little bit of structure. It's not just a free for all. Like we were in Hollywood partying and cheating on each other. There's a little bit more structure.

[Host]

Yeah. And there's.

[Jax Taylor]

And I guess you could say a little structure.

[Host]

I don't know, I. I mean, yeah, not a ton. I mean, but that was the idea. Yeah. Well, I think it's also the, it's the real story. It's the suburban story, you know, behind the pretty family portraits. I mean, the fact that right as that show was premiering, we had two separations.

[Jax Taylor]

Like it was a big.

[Host]

Kind of tells you everything. Yeah.

[Jax Taylor]

And that just goes to show you again, and I said this so many times over the years, you can't write this like, no, that this was not my plan. I was trying to, you know, have the suburbia life and look at us and we're raising kids and we're doing everything and then right out the gate. Right out the frickin gate. Which kind of happened on season one of Vanderpump. I was dating Stassi, episode one. We broke up.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Jax Taylor]

So it's kind of like, holy shit, this is happening again. Yeah. I don't know if you remember. Remember. Oh, so one, it was Gay Pride.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Jax Taylor]

Went out and broke up with Stassi that day.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Jax Taylor]

I don't think we even dated on the show. But it was just like, I don't think anybody saw that coming. And I don't think anybody saw this coming.

[Host]

Although I wasn't surprised because your relationship with Stassi was so volatile that like, in the run up to making the show, that had happened so many times.

[Jax Taylor]

I like, I was like worried about, oh shit, this happened right out the gate. First episode. I'm like, they're gonna get pissed. Like, what are we going to do? I mean, obviously it all worked out, but it just can't believe, like how this stuff happens. Like, you can't, you can't, you can't.

[Host]

You can't make it up.

[Jax Taylor]

You can't. And I think, and I've said this before, the reason these shows are so successful is because you already have an existing group of friends. These are not casted people. Everybody that is on the show serves a purpose. And they've all. Are all linked into the Vanderpump crew too. Everybody on the show is LinkedIn to the other group. So there's no, oh, we're gonna bring in this girl to like do this or we're gonna bring in this. Everybody's a friend.

[Host]

I've Said a million times that I think with the Vanderpump universe, the shows related to that in particular, that I think any attempt for someone just to kind of fit in or barge into it hasn't worked.

[Jax Taylor]

It doesn't work.

[Host]

What did you think going back to when we started making the Valley? What were you thinking that would do? Tell me what your marriage was like at that point and what your assessment was of what doing the show might mean for your marriage. Were you concerned about it?

[Jax Taylor]

I really wasn't. I really wasn't. I mean, we've been. It didn't do anything on Vanderpump. It was fine, you know, so I didn't really think. Like I said, this was all. This all happened like, a week before we started filming. During the creating of all the show, everything was great. I was super excited. We had ideas and plans of how everything was gonna mold together. But like I said, you know, life takes turns. And that's one thing about the Vanderpump rules. Valley franchise is like, you never know what you're going to get. Like, you really. You can go in and you can plan, and you can be in the production room and be like, okay, this is what we got. But even I'm sure you can ask behind the scenes. You never know what the hell is going to happen. Something could be said. Something can happen. Somebody can make a stupid move like myself, and it throws the whole thing off, but it makes it exciting. It probably drives production crazy, but it makes things exciting.

[Host]

Yeah. Yeah. No, I mean. And we just. We roll with it, which is why. Yeah, that's why any accusation of the show isn't real is so annoying.

[Jax Taylor]

Because I. Yeah, I don't understand how. I mean, like, who the hell would want to put this shit out there? Like, do you think I love getting razzed on by the whole world? I don't. But this is what I signed up for. And I said this from day one. And there's certain cast members that don't abide by this. And I've said this before, I put it all out there. I don't pick and choose what to talk about. You can't have your cake and eat it, too. If you're going to live this world and do what you do, and some of us are successful, but you have to pay the price. You have to be honest and be raw and be vulnerable, because that's what people see, and you want to give them the realness.

[Host]

Well, and they're going to judge you either way, because if you're Not. They're going to hold that against you.

[Jax Taylor]

I think you said this before. I think it was like two weeks before we started Vanderpump. We all met at the Belmont. And one of the things you said. I can't remember how you said it, but you said, the audience and the cat, everybody will always find out. You cannot lie on these shows. You can't hide anything. It will always come out. And I remember you were telling us, like, when we were going into this, like, if there's stuff out there, get it out there. Because it's better to get ahead of it than for people to find out. Because it's worse.

[Host]

Yeah. Because it's going to come out. In a way, it's going to come out anyway, regardless.

[Jax Taylor]

Yeah, Yeah. I remember you saying that we were at the Belmont, having that meeting. Yeah, yeah.

[Host]

That's. Yeah, that's funny. Forever ago at this point. What do you think the biggest misconception about you is? What do you think I get all the time?

[Jax Taylor]

That I'm just a terrible person? I get it. That I'm just a vindictive asshole. And it's just so not true. Everybody, I mean, would be like, you're not the same person. I do have a lot of traits that I'm trying to change. I have a lot of bad qualities. I've adopted a lot of bad qualities over the years. Narcissism and. And just my ego. And, you know, I'm trying to be a lot more humble with my life, and I'm trying to be more grateful. But I just adopted so many bad qualities over the years. Just my. And I. And I'm. I'm sorry that I did all this, and I'm sorry that people are seeing this. I just fell into some bad habits and I didn't. I don't mean to hurt anybody. Sometimes I just shoot first and ask later. I don't mean I'm not a malicious person. I just make stupid mistakes.

[Host]

And you're a reactive person, and I'm.

[Jax Taylor]

Very reactive, but I'm not a malicious. I don't want to hurt anybody. I have a big heart. Anything. Everybody will tell you that. Yeah, I do a lot of fucked up shit, but I will always be there for anybody. I feel like I am a good guy. I just make some stupid mistakes.

[Host]

Teasing this season a little bit, and this all plays out in full. But you get out of the facility and then shortly thereafter, very shortly thereafter, you are served divorce papers.

[Jax Taylor]

I knew that was coming. So what people don't know is the second week in rehab, I emailed Britney and said, I'm getting a mediator. People don't realize that I'm the one that initiated this. So when I emailed her and I got a mediator and I put. And I emailed Britney, she was like, oh, no, I'm getting a divorce lawyer, yada yada. And I was like, okay, whatever. But I was like, why don't we just get a mediator? Like, why don't we save some money? We're not going after each other financially. There's no reason to spend all this money, because lawyers are the only people that win in the long run on these things. Why do all this? And about. Yeah, like, literally, what, three or four days after I was served papers, Was I shocked? No. But I just want to make it very clear, because it looks like she's the one that did this first. I am actually the one who did this second week in the facility. I'm the one that emailed mediators. I was the one that got this going. And I think she wanted to be the first one to serve me papers publicly, because I haven't talked about that.

[Host]

That's. That's it. So she didn't say. So she didn't say anything. When you. When you wrote her that at the facility, she didn't. Did she not respond to it?

[Jax Taylor]

No, she did. She was like, absolutely not. Absolutely not. Like, I'm not doing this. I'm going to get a divorce lawyer. I think she wanted to get ahead of it while I was in there. I think she wanted to be the first to publicly say, I'm. I'm divorcing him, when in all honesty, I was the one that initiated it, you know, and, yeah, when she served me the papers, I think. I'm not sure if production or. I'm not sure if Tom. Because Tom was there. I'm not sure if they were looking for a bigger reaction from me, but I was just kind of like, okay, yeah, you know, at least this is getting going. This is something that needed to happen. Whether she initiated or I initiated, it doesn't matter to me. It needed to happen.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Jax Taylor]

I think. I just think that I blindsided her a little bit. I think she really, really wanted me to work on the marriage. I think that was her goal. And I just was so checked out by that time. I was just really checked out. There's just. I just couldn't come back anymore.

[Host]

Does part of you think now that you're in a much better place and now that you've dealt with Some of your underlying issues that maybe the marriage could work.

[Jax Taylor]

Unfortunately, I'm very happy right now. I just know myself. Even if we did go back, I would just always be. You know, the things that happened. It would just take one argument for us to go back to the old ways. I just think Brittany and I have changed over the years. I think I've changed over the years. I think I've done a lot of negative things that really just tarnished our relationship, which is sad. I don't know how I. You know, I do know how it got here, but, you know, it's. It's just it. I don't know what to say. I just. I'm just not there anymore, you know? Like I said, I love her. She's the mother of my child. I will always be there for her. For the rest of my life. For the rest of my life. I just don't think I can love her like she needs to be loved.

[Host]

Would it bother you if she were dating one of your friends now?

[Jax Taylor]

I don't know. Probably. I want her to meet somebody. Just not somebody I know. I don't think I know anybody else. That's Schwartz.

[Host]

He's in a relationship. He's in a relationship. I'm not starting any rumors.

[Jax Taylor]

You know what? I don't think it would bother me.

[Host]

If she dated Tom Sandoval. Also in a relationship.

[Jax Taylor]

Also in a relationship, Yeah. I don't know. Yeah, probably. Probably would hurt my ego a little bit.

[Host]

Are you dating anyone?

[Jax Taylor]

I am not. You know, I've hung out with some people. Nothing romantically. I don't think I'm there yet. I'm still trying to figure myself out and get myself on the right track. The joke is with everybody, and everybody messaged me, quote, unquote. Is he going to tell everybody he's a work in progress? In all honesty, yeah. I mean, I'm always going to have issues. I'm 45 years old. I'm always going to have issues. I have to work really hard. This is a really sad thing to say, but I have to work really hard to make the right choices to be a good person. Because unfortunately, the devil on my shoulder is a lot bigger than the angel, I guess, in my brain. So I always have to work, and I just don't think I'm good enough for anybody. I just want to be a good father. That's it. Right now, I just want to focus on making money, setting my son up for the future. And that's all right now.

[Host]

But don't you feel with the diagnosis that you have, doesn't that give you some sense of security? Because instead of thinking that, that it's just you and it isn't fixable, and attributing some of those things to who you are as a person, you realize it's something directly that you can name and that you can address.

[Jax Taylor]

Yeah. Yeah, it's. God, it was such an eye opening experience. I started crying when they told me what was wrong with me. And it made a lot of sense because all the characters, I have such highs and lows. I have severe anxiety. You know, the bipolar thing, I just. I fly off the handle. I have a short fuse. Things just make me angry. And I was sad all the time. I was always sad. And I was like, why am I sad? I have a beautiful home. I have a beautiful child. I got money in the bank. I have a job. But I just could not get happy. I couldn't tell you the last. Last time I was happy is when my son was born. I haven't been happy in a long, long time.

[Host]

Still now I'm getting there.

[Jax Taylor]

I'm happy, I'm getting happier. I think, you know, I was. I think Britney and I were just in such a toxic place that it was just bringing me down every, every day. And I'm sure I was bringing her down as well. But I'm getting there. There's days where I'm like, I can see some hope. I think if I just continue this process, I will, I will get there again, but I'm okay. And a lot of people ask, how are you doing? Which is, which is great. And I'm doing good. I'm doing a lot better than I was. I'm not there where I want to be, but I'm on my way.

[Host]

Where do you want to be in a few years where, if you're three, five years from now, what do things look like for you?

[Jax Taylor]

You know, we're. We're hoping to open another restaurant very soon in Nashville and one in Florida. The podcast is doing really well. I'm starting another podcast called in the Mind of a Man. I'm hoping to build on that and then hopefully, you know, kind of follow in the footsteps of Stasi and kind of go on a tour with it. You know, I'm really, really diving into mental health. I'm really. I want to talk about it. I want to be open about it. I've been researching bipolar disorder for, you know, a while now. I want to help other people with it. I want to somewhat be a spokesperson for it and be like, it's okay, you know, to not be okay. I know that's a very cliche thing to say, but it really is. And I, I never bought into any of that. I just thought it was all BS until it happened to me.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Jax Taylor]

And I'm like this, I'm gonna buy into it. Like, I'm really want to be there and I want to be an advocate for it. I really want my son. I want to break the cycle in my family to where you can ask for help. I want my son to be able to ask for help one day if, if he's going through struggles.

[Host]

Well, you're starting to do that by being so open about it, which I think is great. You've also told me that you found meaning elsewhere in life too, through religion.

[Jax Taylor]

I've always went to church. Growing up, I was Catholic. I'm in my community. My confirmation about three years ago, I was going to church regularly. And then I stopped when Covid happened because I literally was going every Wednesday. It was great. I would go there to talk to my dad. It was a Hollywood type church. It wasn't very religious based. It was more kind of a spiritual thing. But I really, really enjoyed it and I really liked it, and I really liked getting back in touch with my faith again. And, you know, you learn to find God again. When you go through stuff like this, you got to go back to the basics and be like, hey, I need some help. And, you know, I try to talk to my dad. And yeah, religion has played a role. Yeah, for sure.

[Host]

So you can appreciate that there's some skepticism when you talk about changing because you've said that before. And then a lot of the same things have happened over and over again. And Britney doesn't think that you're necessarily capable of changing. What do you say to that?

[Jax Taylor]

That's her opinion. I've never been on medication in my entire life until I went through the facility. So I think this is playing a huge role. I was very stubborn. I didn't get help. This is the first time I've gotten help. This is the first time I've went and had an outreach. Yeah, she's upset. She's upset. She's gonna hit below the belt. She's gonna, she say things. I'm not gonna change. She's gonna say this and that because she's, she's hurt and she has every right to be. You know, I, I, as you'll see in season, you'll see on the season of the Valley, people are probably Gonna come after me. I was in a really dark, dark place. I did some really awful things. And what I mean by awful things is I was verbally abusive. I was verbally abusive. And, you know, I, and it wasn't necessarily about Britney itself. I just, I would compartmentalize my problems during the day. If something was going on, if something angered me with my family or my friends, or if I just went to the grocery store and somebody pissed me off, I would compartmentalize it. And then, unfortunately, I would go home and my wife was the one that would be, you know, in the line of fire. And I would just take it out on her. I would find something to set me off and take it out on her, which was so wrong. It hurts me that she says that because, you know, I would hope that she'd be like, you know, I will always love him and I want him to change. I would hope she would say that, you know, just for my own thing, I would married her for a long time. And I would just hope that after this many years that she would say that, you know, she would at least say, he's a good father. And I hope he changes down the road, not be so negative. I don't understand that.

[Host]

Well, I think that she hopes that you'll change. I think she just isn't convinced that it's going to happen. And I think, think that's, you know, sort of where time will come into play.

[Jax Taylor]

Yeah, I think she really wants to see me fail. I really think so. I think so. I think she wants to see me fail. I think she wants to prove everyone right. And to be honest, I've done nothing wrong since I've been out. I've been overly nice to her. I've actually been nice to her more now than I was to when I was married. I, I go out of my way for her. I, I, you know, and there's, there's some. Which is weird. She says all these negative things about me, but yet she'll call me like, took two days ago, come over, you want to have some drinks? Come over, you want to hook up? Like, she'll go out and publicly humiliate me and call me every name in the book. But three days ago she's like, hey, you want to come over and have dinner? You want to come over and have drinks? Don't tell anybody that I'm doing this so people don't know that she talks all this shit. But then, you know, she'll be like, come over, come and hang out. Come on this So I don't mean to blow her cover, but, you know, I'm not all that bad. She wouldn't be calling me over. She wouldn't be saying, hey, let's go to the pumpkin patch with Cruz. Let's go to Disney with Cruz. Let's do take Cruz together to school. If I was that bad of a human being, do you think she would do all this?

[Host]

Why do you think that? When you say that she doesn't want you to change. Why do you think that?

[Jax Taylor]

I don't know. I think she just. I think, I think I hurt her bad. I think I've. Over the years I've really worn on her and I think I just, I put such a bad taste in her mouth and I think the fact that I've decided not to work on the marriage, I think that was a huge blow to her because she thought. I think she thought I was going to work on the marriage. And I think she was kind of a little bit shocked by that.

[Host]

So you think that, in other words, that if you end up in a good place, that and I will end.

[Jax Taylor]

Up in a good place?

[Host]

Yeah. You know, so if you put in the work and things are headed in the right direction, then that somehow reflects on her or just upsets her because it's easier just for you to be the asshole.

[Jax Taylor]

It's easier for me to the basketball. It's expected for me to fuck up. It's expected for me to go back to my old ways. So, you know, it's. It gives me more drive now to prove everybody wrong, to prove that it wasn't a waste of time for me to go to the facility, that it wasn't a waste of time for me to get help. You know, being. Trying to be an advocate for mental health. I don't want people to be like, he's full of, you know, so I'm working really hard on myself and I'm working really hard just to, you know, to make the right decisions. And unfortunately, you know, it's. Everybody's different. Everybody has their demons and, you know, I've just made some really fucked up decisions in the past and, you know, but I'm trying.

[Host]

What is it like co parenting when you guys are not getting along personally?

[Jax Taylor]

You know, it's been fine up until now. And I know not to break into this, the divorce, but people were coming at after me because I didn't get a lawyer in the beginning. And it's not that I didn't want to get a lawyer. I was just trying to give Britney what she wanted. And she told me right off the bat, yes, these are the things I want. Full custody and all this. She's like, but you're going to see Cruz every day. I'm just saying this because, you know, I'm protecting myself. You know, I'm his mother. But she's like, you know, you're a great father. You're going to see him all the time. So I figured, okay, I'm not going to fight her on this. There's no reason to fight. I don't, you know, And I thought, okay, I'd get him on the weekends and every Wednesday. I thought that was a pretty fair deal. I think people just thought I was giving up.

[Host]

Right.

[Jax Taylor]

Because that's not the case at all.

[Host]

And you would never do that.

[Jax Taylor]

I would never in a million years do that. And we had a. A one on one talk about it. She's like, you know, I would never do that. I just protecting myself and that, you know, I have the final say. The only thing I have a problem with and all this is what we've talked about is medical. I want to be involved in the medical and I want to be involved in his schooling. So other than that, you know, that's his mother. I want him to be in the house that he grew up in. And right now we're kind of, you know, going back and forth because we both have busy schedules with different things. So, you know, right now it's, hey, can you take him tomorrow? Can you do this tomorrow? It's just been back and forth, which I knew it was going to be, right. I knew it was going to be like that. She's not going to want to hire a nanny every day. That's expensive. Especially when I'm right down the road and I'm by myself and I'm constantly calling her every day. What do you need me to do tomorrow? What do you need? Can I grab him tomorrow? Let me take him for a couple hours to give you a break because he's a lot to. He's a lot.

[Host]

It was one of the reasons that you wanted to take that place too was that it was right down the road.

[Jax Taylor]

So I was right. Yeah, it was lit. It's literally a mile down the road. I can be there in five minutes.

[Host]

Does Schwarz help with Cruise?

[Jax Taylor]

In all honesty, Cruz hasn't been to my house yet. He's got a beautiful room all set up, his bed, his toys are all in there. Britney is just not ready for me to have him at the house yet, which is understandable but like I said, I'm hoping. I think it's going to happen soon because it's a lot of work for her to deal with Cruz full time on her own.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Jax Taylor]

And I'm here. I'm like, hey, let me take him for the weekend. Let me. Give yourself a break. Because, you know, mentally, it's got to be tough to be a single mom and work and, you know, do everything you got to do. So I think eventually, you know, she's gonna come around because I've taken pictures of Cruz's room and shown her. And I said, hey, listen, let. I'll put some cameras in the house that you can see if it makes you feel more comfortable. Whatever is that you want. I'll do, like. I'm very. I'm very. Whatever what she wants. I. I'm. I'm very easy. I just want to make it easy for her. But the more easy I make it for her, the harder she makes it for me. And I feel like she's not expecting me, expecting this from me. I feel like she wants a fight. I feel like she really wants me to argue. She wants me to so she can be like, see, See? I feel like that's what she's looking for. And the fact that I'm not arguing or just kind of walking away, which I never used to do. I used to have to have the last word. I used to have to yell and scream. I think the fact now that I wash my hands of it or if she gets angry, I just say, okay, whatever. I think it's bothering her a little bit because she's not used to that. And I think it's. I think she does see change. I think she really does, but I don't think she wants to admit it.

[Host]

It's all really fresh, too.

[Jax Taylor]

It is very fresh. And we're still trying to figure it out.

[Host]

Yeah, it's.

[Jax Taylor]

It's. You know, the. The ink's not even near dry on the papers yet. We're right in the middle of this divorce right now. Right in the middle. And unfortunately, this process takes up to six to eight months to go through. I have a buddy of mine who's on the show as well, Jesse, who's going through the same thing, and he's a lot worse than mine.

[Host]

Yeah, he's.

[Jax Taylor]

They're fighting over the nickel and diming over little things here and there, and they don't. They butt heads on certain things, and it's. It's tough. It's really, really tough. I see him going through it and I just hope I don't get to that point.

[Host]

Yeah, well, yeah, I definitely hope that for your sake too. Your marriages were very different in the first place.

[Jax Taylor]

Yes, yes.

[Host]

You know, it's you and Britney splitting up was sad because that was a loving marriage and I don't think Jesse and Michelle breaking up was news to anyone.

[Jax Taylor]

Right. You're right.

[Host]

You know, yeah.

[Jax Taylor]

Yeah, I knew that. Personally, I didn't see that lasting very much. I think in that marriage he was a different person. He was. Jesse's a, he's a hard headed. He's from Boston. You know, he's just one of those guys. But he's a lot different now. He's got a new girlfriend and I think she brings out the best in him. She's a really lovely young lady and I like her a lot and she deals, works with mental health too. And I think she's really changed him. I see a really vulnerable side to him and I don't know if it's the divorce, I don't know if it's his daughter, I don't know if it's this new girl. But whatever it is, he's a completely different human being. And I really like this new Jesse and I hope, I know the divorce is really wearing on him. Like he calls me, you know, and it just cries and just like, you know, you never. I've seen the strongest men in the world, the manliest men, just crumble during divorces. It just breaks guys. It just breaks them.

[Host]

Yeah, well, like you said, I mean, it's one of the ultimate stresses in life and it is a can do a death.

[Jax Taylor]

It's like I said, the hardest thing in my life was my father's death. And now like I said, this is right under that.

[Host]

Has your mother met Cruz at this point?

[Jax Taylor]

No. And I haven't really spoken to my mother. I think she got wind of, I think like everybody else through the tabloids. She reached out to me while I was in the facility. She checked in on me every day. I've tried to reach out to her a couple times. She's very vague with me. I sent her pictures of Cruz. I do want her to meet him. I think at some point I just, I would regret it down the line if my son says, hey, why don't you try to work it out with your mom? Or how come I could have never met her. I think I would, would. I think I would, you know, never forgive myself. And you know, it's hard to hold grudges. It's hard to be angry and mean. It's a lot easier to, for, you know, forgive. Let go, let go. Because we're not here for a long time, you know. And yeah, I don't agree with what she did, but life goes on. And I feel like I don't need to be in the best relationship with my mother, but I would like to have a sit down with her. And we did talk about it the last week of my, in my facility of meeting and she agreed to it. So I'm going to go to Florida and meet her one on one and then eventually bring my, my son over.

[Host]

So we touched a little bit earlier on the fact that you and Brittany also are going into business together or extending the business that you have together.

[Jax Taylor]

Right.

[Host]

So let's talk a little bit more about Britney's bar and what it'll be like for you guys to work together if you're still trying to figure out how to coexist.

[Jax Taylor]

My partners came up to me literally probably four weeks ago and said, hey, Jax, what do you think of, of us opening a bar called Brits? And I go, I, I go, really? I mean, this is all during the thing of it. And I was like, they're like, listen, we understand what's going on with you. We don't go through divorce. If you say no, we'll, we won't do it. What do you like, why don't you sleep on it and let me know? And from a financial stamp view, I thought, why not? You know, but there's going to be some strengths. I'm going to be an investor. I am going to be the quote, unquote, silent partner. And I'm going to have, I'm going to let her design it. She can have her say, but I will be having a stake in it. I will be the, you know, it's under my business title, it's under Jax Taylor Inc. So she will have that as much as it is hers. I will still have a percentage of it.

[Host]

What could possibly go wrong?

[Jax Taylor]

Like I said, I'm going to give it to her. I'm going to be more the silent guy. I'm not really going to say anything. She can run it how she wants. I'm just going to take a cut. That's part of the deal, just like anything else in life.

[Host]

And what happened when you presented this to her? What was her reaction?

[Jax Taylor]

She was really excited. She was really happy. And it was one of the weeks where we were getting along and, you know, when we get in the arguments, unless I go, you Know, Brittany, I. I've been so amazing to you since I've gotten out of this. I've accepted. I've. Letting you have a bar with this, with my business partners. Like, you're getting a golden opportunity here. Kind of the same golden opportunity that I had. You don't have to put a dime into it. They're going to front all the money. Your name's going to be on it. You're just going to collect a check. You're not going to get this anywhere else. You're going to have to put your own money. I mean, look at Tom and all those other. But they have to put their own money in. You're not going to do that. And I made this happen for you. Like, I go, give me. Cut me a little slack here. I'm not. And then it just goes back to me being an awful, selfish person that she calls me all the time. If I was this person, why would I be like, oh, this is a good idea. Let's. Let's do this. Why would I extend myself? I feel like, you know, she just. I don't know. It bothers me.

[Host]

What did she say about your involvement?

[Jax Taylor]

She hasn't really said anything yet. I don't think it's really sunk into her, but trust me, I'm going to make her very aware, you know that.

[Host]

I think you just did.

[Jax Taylor]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Host]

Oh, my God. Thank you. As always. And look, here's if we know anything from the time that we've been making shows together. Work in progress and more to come.

[Jax Taylor]

Work in progress and more to come. Yeah. This is going to be a really interesting season. This is going to be a very tough season. Like I said, it's probably the hardest season of reality TV that I've ever filmed in my life, and I filmed some very, very hard seasons. But this is going to take the cake. And I just hope people can, you know, watch the whole season before they judge me, because the beginning of it is going to be really, really, really tough for the viewers, for myself, for everybody. So I hope people can just be patient, watch the whole season before they make any judgments.

[Host]

Well, the beginning is literally your low point.

[Jax Taylor]

Yeah. Yeah. I don't think it got any lower to, like, episode one, episode two. And I know people are going to come after me. I just hope they can have some. They can be a little patient with me, and they can a little bit like, okay, like I said, it's going to take some time, and people are going to be blindsided for sure.

[Host]

Well, thank you for putting your story out there. And we will see what happens from here.

[Jax Taylor]

We'll see what happens.

[Host]

For more of my conversation with Jax Taylor, go to bravotv. Dot.

[Jax Taylor]

I will call you on your shit. And I will embarrass you, and I will. There's not. Like I said, there's nothing you can hide.