Brittany Cartwright’s ongoing divorce from Jax Taylor has been ugly from the get-go, with botched filings, a contentious custody battle, and accusations of substance abuse. But things got even uglier this week when Taylor, of Vanderpump Rules infamy, shared that he is “an addict.” The admission came during Tuesday’s episode of the Bravo’s Hot Mic podcast, as the 45-year-old told producer Alex Baskin about his “substance issues — primarily with cocaine.” “It’s hard to say out loud … I’ve been dealing with this on and off since I was 23, and now I’m 45,” he added. As of the podcast recording, Taylor said he was 83 days sober.
“I don’t necessarily think I have an alcohol problem, but the two go hand in hand,” Taylor said. “I can’t do cocaine without drinking. So I just gave up both.”
Taylor called his addiction “a sickness that I have to work on the rest of my life.” He also told Baskin he was aware Bravo fans “could kind of tell” — after all, they’ve spent the last 12 years watching him on reality television — though production was not clued in. “Everything I was doing was on my own, but I was just on that train and I couldn’t get off,” he said.
Hours after Taylor’s podcast went up, Cartwright told People in a statement that she was “glad that he finally admitted to what was really going on.”
“For the first time, I can speak openly about the extent of trauma he’s instilled on our family over the years,” she continued. “I’ve tried desperately to help him without success. I pray that one day he completely knocks this addiction, but I’m skeptical. His behaviors are still alarming and his treatment plan seems to be the bare minimum.”
Cartwright went on: “I’m trying to navigate this as best as I can for my son and I, but every day is still a challenge and very difficult. Jax has caused an enormous amount of damage and I have very little trust in him at this point. My only hope is that one day, he will be a better person for his son.”
Cartwright first announced the couple had separated after four years of marriage in February of last year. The 36-year-old filed for divorce a few months later, and according to People, she has since retained full legal and physical custody of the couple’s 3-year-old son, Cruz. The continued fallout of Cartwright and Taylor’s failed marriage is expected to play out on the second season of The Valley, which is slated to air later this spring.
