Jax Taylor Exits ‘The Valley’ Season 3 to Focus on Recovery

The decision for Jax Taylor to step away from Season 3 of “The Valley” has been met with mixed reactions. Taylor’s statement, released through his team, cites a need to focus on his recovery and mental health. This comes after a tumultuous year in which Taylor revealed his struggle with cocaine addiction and was involved in a violent domestic incident with his estranged wife, Brittany Cartwright.

The incident, which occurred just before filming began for Season 2 of “The Valley,” led to Taylor seeking help at a mental health facility. However, his behavior during this time, including sending angry and controlling messages to Cartwright, raised concerns among viewers and Bravo’s activist fandom. Calls for Taylor to be fired from the show have been growing, with many expressing dismay at Bravo’s decision to continue featuring him.

In a recent episode of “Watch What Happens Live,” host Andy Cohen appeared visibly uncomfortable discussing Taylor’s situation, reflecting the widespread sentiment among viewers. The lack of support for Taylor from the audience, as demonstrated in viewer polls, further underscores the growing dissatisfaction with his presence on the show.

As the season of “The Valley” continues, the spotlight remains on Taylor and his actions. The decision for him to step away from Season 3 may provide him with the opportunity to focus on his personal well-being and address the issues that have plagued him in recent months. Whether this hiatus will lead to a return to the show remains to be seen, but for now, Taylor’s absence may be a welcome change for viewers who have grown tired of his behavior. Jax Taylor’s tumultuous relationship with Brittany Cartwright took another hit as their conversation took a dark turn. Cartwright, concerned about Taylor’s behavior, questioned whether he had taken Xanax due to his unnaturally calm demeanor. When Taylor denied taking any medication, Cartwright expressed her disappointment, stating that he was not acting like himself. The conversation escalated, with Taylor playing the victim and Cartwright accusing him of reverting back to his old habits of drinking and partying after leaving a facility.

Cartwright didn’t hold back, telling Taylor that he may have needed medication for bipolar disorder for years, but it was now too late as he had already destroyed their family. She expressed her concern for their son, Cruz, stating that she couldn’t allow him to be anything like Taylor. The emotional exchange ended with Cartwright tearfully asking Taylor to leave the house, unable to even look at him.

This incident is not the first time Taylor’s actions have had serious repercussions. Following a national reckoning on race, Taylor, along with Stassi Schroeder and Kristen Doute, was fired from “Vanderpump Rules” for past racist behavior towards Faith Stowers. Despite attempts at redemption, Taylor never showed remorse for his actions, leading to his removal from the show and impacting Cartwright as well.

In a surprising turn of events, Taylor, Cartwright, and Doute returned to the Bravo spotlight as pundits on a cheating scandal within the Season 10 cast of “Vanderpump Rules.” Their insights into the scandal led to the revival of a pre-pandemic concept for a new show called “The Valley,” which focuses on the lives of aging reality TV stars. However, Taylor’s behavior continued to alienate him from the cast, with many members avoiding him at events and trips.

As discussions arise about Taylor’s potential return for the third season of “The Valley,” producers contemplate the impact of his presence. While Taylor has been integral to the show, his volatile behavior and past actions raise concerns about his role moving forward. With or without Taylor, “The Valley” has proven to thrive on a diverse cast and engaging storylines, leaving viewers questioning the necessity of his return for the upcoming season.