Jax Taylor Insists Separation from Wife Brittany Cartwright Is 'Not Divorce': 'We're Together'
"It's not going to tear us apart. It's not evil or nastiness," the former 'Vanderpump Rules' star said of his separation from his wife of four years
Jax Taylor is offering clarification following the news of his separation from wife Brittany Cartwright.
Hours after Cartwright announced on Thursday that the former Vanderpump Rules stars were separating, Taylor, 44, was spotted in Los Angeles and told Page Six in a video interview that his separation from his wife, 35, “is not divorce.”
When asked by the outlet if there was any chance of reconciliation between the pair — who a star in the upcoming Bravo series The Valley — he responded, “Of course.”
“I mean this is not divorce,” the reality star clarified. “We’re just taking some time apart. Just trying to reassess our situation.”
Related: Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright's Relationship Timeline
Taylor also explained that co-parenting their 2-year-old son Cruz Michael Cauchi remains a number one priority amid their separation. He added, “We have a child involved and we just want to do what’s best for our kid.”
The former model went on to clear up recent reports that he and Cartwright currently have different living arrangements. He shared, “She was in a house for a while, but, yeah, she’s back now.”
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“We’re actually living together, living in our home right now,” Taylor noted, referring to their shared home in Valley View, California. “We’re trying to figure it out. It’s all fresh and new.”
The TV personality also confirmed that the twosome hold no animosity toward one another and plan to continue filming together, as their new series The Valley is set to premiere sometime this spring. “It’s not going to tear us apart. It’s not evil or nastiness,” he shared. “It’s just two people that are hitting a 10 year mark in their marriage and could go one way or another.”
Four years after they wed in June 2019, Cartwright announced on Thursday's episode of their When Reality Hits podcast that they were separating.
“Many of you guys have been asking me about Jax and I and our relationship," she said. "I just think it’s important to be real and honest with you guys because our life is definitely — we’ve shared so much of our life with you guys. So, I feel like ... I don’t want to seem like I’m lying or anything like that so I think it’s important for me to say this."
"I know on my last podcast, I alluded to many marriages go through rocky times," she continued. "Yes, marriages in general are very hard and I've had a particularly rough year this past year. Jax and I are taking time apart and I made the decision to move into another home to take some space for the sake of my mental health."
The Bravolebrity noted that the separation is “still very hard to talk about” and wasn’t ready to share specific details about the matter.
"I'm taking one day at a time," the podcaster added. "I don’t know what the future holds, but right now my focus is on being the best mom to Cruz and I love you guys. Pray for us and everything will be just fine. We’re good."
Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty
Brittany Cartwright and Jax Taylor on 'Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen'.Over the years, Taylor and Cartwright have spoken candidly about the ups and downs of their relationship. The Jax's Studio City co-owners shared with PEOPLE in March 2023 that while some days are tougher than others, it’s important to them to always work on their relationship.
“I don't believe in divorce. My parents didn't get divorced," Taylor admitted. "I don't believe in that. Marriage is work. I'm not saying every day is amazing."
"There's good days and there's bad days, but that's marriage, and that's what makes your relationship stronger," he continued. "We love hard. We fight hard. It's amazing."
Taylor and Cartwright first met in 2015 at a Las Vegas bar. The pair briefly split after two years of dating in 2017 but reconciled off camera and later announced their engagement in June 2018.
Following a year-long engagement, they were wed in June 2019 and later welcomed their only child, son Cruz Michael Cauchi, in April 2021, months after they announced their departure from Vanderpump Rules.
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The Valley premieres on March 19 at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo.
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