Jax Taylor has made a major decision to take a step back from both his bar, Jax’s Studio City, and the Bravo reality series, The Valley. This move comes shortly after fans noticed his name being removed from the bar’s marquee sign.
A spokesperson confirmed that the 46-year-old made this choice to focus on his mental health and ongoing journey with sobriety. “It was a necessary and well-thought-out decision,” the rep said.
Earlier in July, Jax himself shared that he wouldn’t be returning for season 3 of The Valley. “It’s been a very tough year,” he said. “I had a lot of real conversations with my team and the producers. Right now, I need to work on becoming the best version of myself, for my son, Cruz.”
Although fans were quick to assume this meant a full exit, Jax later clarified that it’s more of a pause than a final goodbye. “We all talked it through and decided it’s better to take a break,” he explained on his podcast, In the Mind of Jax Taylor. “Jumping into more drama with my estranged wife didn’t seem like the smartest idea.”
Jax and Brittany Cartwright are currently navigating a divorce, which Brittany filed during season 2 filming. She cited irreconcilable differences, and the couple share a 4-year-old son.
Jax mentioned that being on a reality show often reopens emotional wounds. “We go through all this stuff during filming, and then when the show airs, we’re forced to relive it all over again,” he said. “It’s like the scab keeps getting peeled off.”
Brittany later confirmed on Watch What Happens Live that she only found out about Jax’s exit the night before it was public. “Honestly, I think it was a smart move by everyone,” she said.
Some of Jax’s fellow Bravo stars are also supportive. Scheana Shay, one of his longtime friends from Vanderpump Rules, said the break was the right call. “Being in rehab, trying to film, and dealing with FOMO? That’s just too much,” she said. “Focusing on sobriety and healing is the mature path. I’m proud of him for doing this for himself, Cruz, and even Brittany.”
The Valley airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo, with past episodes available for streaming on Peacock.