Brittany Cartwright Responds to Those Asking 'Why I Stayed' amid Ex Jax Taylor's Addiction

Mar. 15, 2025

Jax Taylor, Brittany Cartwright.Photo:Andrew Chin/Getty, Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

Andrew Chin/Getty, Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

Brittany Cartwrightis continuing to defend herself following her exJax Taylor’s revelations about his substance abuse.Cartwright — whofiled for divorce from Taylorin August months afterannouncing their separation after four years of marriage— spoke out further on her Instagram Stories in the hours afterher ex candidly admitted to his long-standing battle with addiction.On Bravo’sHot Micpodcast on March 4, Taylor, 45, declared himself an “addict” and admitted he has “substance abuse issues — primarily with cocaine” that he’s been battling “on and off since I was 23.“Cartwright, 36, said that Taylor’s addiction “unfortunately has done irreparable damage to my son and I” in a post on her Instagram Stories after the episode aired. The couple shares a3-year-old son, Cruz. “I’ve spent years trying to help him. I wish more than anyone I could say how proud I am of him today but I’d be lying. His actions will speak for themselves.“She continued, “And to those asking why I stayed if I knew he had a problem all these years: You can’t help who you fell in love with. I’ve done absolutely everything in my power to get him the help he desperately needed. Unfortunately, I was naive and believed his empty promises and his pleads to change for years.“Brittany Cartwright shares another statement following ex Jax Taylor’s addiction revelation.Brittany Cartwright/InstagramTheVanderpump Rulesalum said that their son particularly made it “not easy to leave” and she said it “took everything in my power to gather the strength to walk away” when she did from Taylor. “For those that have been through similar, you get it. For those that question me..that’s okay. I’m in a much better place now.”After the episode dropped,Cartwright shared an exclusive statement with PEOPLE, as she said 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. 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.“Brittany Cartwright and Jax Taylor on ‘Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen’.Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/GettyShe continued, “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.”Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.On the podcast, Taylor, who checked intoan in-patient facilityin September 2024 after he revealed he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and PTSD, said that admitting his struggles was “a really big deal for me” and “a huge weight lifted off my shoulders.“While he feels he doesn’t “have an alcohol problem,” he knows “the two go hand in hand,” so he “gave up both.““I’m proud to say I’m 83 days sober right now, which is the longest I’ve ever gone in my life without either,” he said.If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.

Brittany Cartwrightis continuing to defend herself following her exJax Taylor’s revelations about his substance abuse.

Cartwright — whofiled for divorce from Taylorin August months afterannouncing their separation after four years of marriage— spoke out further on her Instagram Stories in the hours afterher ex candidly admitted to his long-standing battle with addiction.

On Bravo’sHot Micpodcast on March 4, Taylor, 45, declared himself an “addict” and admitted he has “substance abuse issues — primarily with cocaine” that he’s been battling “on and off since I was 23.”

Cartwright, 36, said that Taylor’s addiction “unfortunately has done irreparable damage to my son and I” in a post on her Instagram Stories after the episode aired. The couple shares a3-year-old son, Cruz. “I’ve spent years trying to help him. I wish more than anyone I could say how proud I am of him today but I’d be lying. His actions will speak for themselves.”

She continued, “And to those asking why I stayed if I knew he had a problem all these years: You can’t help who you fell in love with. I’ve done absolutely everything in my power to get him the help he desperately needed. Unfortunately, I was naive and believed his empty promises and his pleads to change for years.”

Brittany Cartwright shares another statement following ex Jax Taylor’s addiction revelation.Brittany Cartwright/Instagram

Brittany Cartwright/Instagram

TheVanderpump Rulesalum said that their son particularly made it “not easy to leave” and she said it “took everything in my power to gather the strength to walk away” when she did from Taylor. “For those that have been through similar, you get it. For those that question me..that’s okay. I’m in a much better place now.”

After the episode dropped,Cartwright shared an exclusive statement with PEOPLE, as she said 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. 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.”

Brittany Cartwright and Jax Taylor on ‘Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen’.Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty

Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty

She continued, “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.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

On the podcast, Taylor, who checked intoan in-patient facilityin September 2024 after he revealed he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and PTSD, said that admitting his struggles was “a really big deal for me” and “a huge weight lifted off my shoulders.”

While he feels he doesn’t “have an alcohol problem,” he knows “the two go hand in hand,” so he “gave up both.”

“I’m proud to say I’m 83 days sober right now, which is the longest I’ve ever gone in my life without either,” he said.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.

source: people.com