Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright decided to split after nearly five years of marriage.

Cartwright surprised fans on Thursday's episode of her and Taylor's "When Reality Hits With Jax and Brittany" podcast when she announced that they decided to live separately, and she already moved out from their shared residence for her mental health.


"I know on my last podcast, I alluded to many marriages go through rocky times," Cartwright said. "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."

She didn't go into the specifics, explaining that the breakup "is still very hard to talk about." The reality star added that her priority was to be the "best mom" for her and Taylor's 2-year-old son, Cruz Michael Cauchi.

"I'm taking one day at a time," she continued. "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."

However, the timing of the separation announcement raised eyebrows because it comes weeks before their new show "The Valley" premieres. The reality stars are set to star in the "Vanderpump Rules" spinoff, slated to debut later this March, prompting some netizens to speculate the split was just a PR stunt.

"Promo for new show lol," one claimed.

Another added, "Definitely promo for new show."

"This Jax and Brittany 'break' is giving PR Stunt. She would never leave that trash man lol #TheValley #PumpRules," a third person added.

"(If this is really not a PR Stunt) I knew the new show would end Jax and Brittany's marriage, but this quick!!! #pumprules #thevalley," a fourth person commented.

On the other hand, several netizens were convinced that it was real, claiming Cartwright was probably fed up with her husband.


"Brittany Cartwright has stayed with Jax Taylor through him being an absolute dumpster fire of a human, I'm DYING to know what the final straw was that caused her to finally leave that man baby (and I swear to god if this is PR for their new show #thevalley ill riot) #PumpRules," one wrote.

"And now Brittany announces she's put her relationship with Jax 'on pause' - I always said their relationship is done if they ever went back on TV," another added.

The couple's rep told Page Six that the split was "most definitely not PR related in any way."

Taylor and Cartwright met in 2015 in Las Vegas. Their romance was documented on "Vanderpump Rules" and its spinoff "Jax & Brittany Take Kentucky." They tied the knot on June 29, 2019, and welcomed their child two years later.


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Jax Taylor, Brittany cartwright