Jax Taylor: Bipolar Disorder, Custody, and New Chapter

If you’ve followed reality TV over the past decade, the name Jax Taylor probably rings a bell — not always for the right reasons. After nearly a decade on Vanderpump Rules, his life has taken a deeply personal turn, with public revelations about bipolar disorder and PTSD, a custody agreement centered on sobriety, and a new career path. Here’s a fact-based look at where he stands now, based on court filings, interviews, and statements from those involved.

Born: July 11, 1979 ·
Known for: Vanderpump Rules (2013–2020) ·
Diagnoses: Bipolar disorder, PTSD ·
Children: 1 son, Cruz ·
Current project: Podcast “In the Mind of a Man”

Six key biographical facts, one pattern: his public identity has shifted from reality villain to a man navigating mental health and co-parenting under a legal spotlight.

What is Jax Taylor diagnosed with?

Bipolar disorder and PTSD: How Jax Taylor went public

• In September 2024, Taylor shared an Instagram post saying he had entered an intensive inpatient treatment facility and had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and PTSD (E! News (tier2 entertainment outlet)).
• In an April 2025 interview with People (celebrity news authority), he added that he had also been diagnosed with OCD, noting the combination of conditions had been overlooked for years.

Symptoms and treatment reported

• Taylor described his bipolar episodes as “manic highs” and “dark lows” that affected his relationships, especially during his marriage to Brittany Cartwright (E! News (tier2 entertainment outlet)).
• His spokesperson confirmed he completed a 30-day inpatient program and continues outpatient therapy (People (celebrity news authority)).

The implication: Taylor’s diagnosis provides a clinical framework for behavior that viewers saw on screen for years, but his candor doesn’t erase the legal and personal consequences he now faces.

What is happening to Jax Taylor?

Current living situation and co-parenting

• As of August 2025, Brittany Cartwright said she has primary physical custody of their son Cruz, with Taylor allowed visitation on Wednesdays and every other weekend once the divorce is finalized (Bravo TV (official network affiliate)).
• Taylor had previously requested that Cartwright be granted sole custody in October 2024, a move his rep later attributed to paperwork errors (Yahoo Entertainment (tier2 news aggregator)).

Sobriety requirements in custody agreement

• People reported in October 2024 that the custody agreement includes a sobriety condition: Taylor must remain sober while caring for Cruz (People (celebrity news authority)).
• In May 2025, TooFab noted Taylor had marked 83 days sober the previous month, though his current status is not independently verified (TooFab (tier2 entertainment news)).

Status of his marriage to Brittany Cartwright

• Cartwright filed for divorce in August 2024, citing irreconcilable differences (E! News (tier2 entertainment outlet)).
• The divorce remains pending as of mid-2025, with both parties publicly at odds over custody and finances (Bravo TV (official network affiliate)).

The catch: Every public step Taylor takes toward stability is mirrored by court documents that reveal lingering disputes, making his narrative of personal growth coexist with legal vulnerability.

Why was Jax kicked off the show?

Circumstances of his departure from Vanderpump Rules

• Jax Taylor’s tenure on Vanderpump Rules ended in 2020 after multiple on-screen controversies, including accusations of infidelity, verbal outbursts, and conflicts with castmates. The show continued without him for seasons 9–11 (E! News (tier2 entertainment outlet) mentions his history on the show).
• Bravo, the network, never issued an official statement about the firing, but Taylor himself said in later interviews that he was “asked not to come back” (People (celebrity news authority)).

Aftermath and public reaction

• Fans speculated that his behavior was tied to undiagnosed mental health issues, a theory Taylor validated with his 2024 diagnosis (E! News (tier2 entertainment outlet)).
• Despite his exit, he remains one of the show’s most recognizable figures, often referenced in recaps and interviews (Bravo TV (official network affiliate)).

Why this matters: His departure was not a clean break — it left questions about accountability that his diagnosis now reframes, though it does not erase the conduct that led to his exit.

How does Jax make money now?

Podcast “In the Mind of a Man”

• Taylor launched the podcast in 2023, where he discusses relationships, mental health, and current events (People (celebrity news authority)).
• He promoted a live tour in April 2025 as part of the podcast’s expansion (E! News (tier2 entertainment outlet)).

Live events and appearances

• In addition to podcasting, Taylor has appeared at nightclub events and paid meet-and-greet tours, typical for former reality stars (TooFab (tier2 entertainment news)).

Acting and producing credits

• He had a small role in the 2022 film Savage Salvation (IMDb News (film database)).
• He also earns through social media brand deals, though exact figures are not publicly disclosed.

The trade-off: Without a permanent television gig, Taylor relies on direct-to-fan revenue streams — podcast ads, live shows, and social media — which are volatile but let him control his narrative.

Is Jax still friends with anyone from Vanderpump Rules?

Current relationships with former castmates

• Taylor has said he “hasn’t spoken to most of them” since leaving the show, especially after his divorce (People (celebrity news authority)).
• He occasionally mentions staying in touch with Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix, though they have not publicly confirmed close ties (E! News (tier2 entertainment outlet)).

Public statements and social media interactions

• Taylor has liked or commented on castmates’ Instagram posts sporadically, but there is no evidence of active friendships (Bravo TV (official network affiliate)).

The pattern: Taylor’s social circle has narrowed almost exactly in proportion to his media presence, leaving him with a smaller but more controllable public platform.

Quotes from Taylor and his inner circle

“I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and PTSD. I am getting the help I need.”

— Jax Taylor, in a September 2024 Instagram post, reported by E! News (tier2 entertainment outlet)

“My son Cruz is the only reason I’m still here. I’m doing this for him.”

— Jax Taylor, speaking exclusively to People (celebrity news authority) in April 2025

“He has to remain sober during his time with Cruz. That’s non-negotiable.”

— A source close to the custody negotiations, as told to People (celebrity news authority)

For Jax Taylor, the choice is clear: continue this new chapter of transparency and co-parenting, or risk losing the public sympathy and legal standing he’s trying to rebuild.

For a deeper look into his journey, check out Jax Taylors diagnosis and career updates for more on his diagnosis and career updates.

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