Jax Taylor Says He Watches Son Cruz, 3, Whenever Brittany Cartwright 'Allows' After Revealing Cocaine Addiction: 'I Respect Her'

Mar. 15, 2025

Brittany Cartwright (left) and Jax Taylor (right).Photo:Felix Kunze/Bravo via Getty Images

Felix Kunze/Bravo via Getty Images

Jax Tayloris focused on getting sober for one very important person — his son Cruz.On Tuesday, Mar. 4,The Valleystar, 45, shared that he has been dealing with substance issues while appearing on Bravo’sHot Micpodcast. Taylor told host Alex Baskin that he’s had “substance issues — primarily with cocaine” for the past 20 years and shared that one of the reasons he’s striving to get sober is for his 3-year-old son Cruz, whom he shares with ex-wifeBrittany Cartwright, 36.“The big thing here is my son. He’s my drive and he’s my No. 1 driver for this,” the formerVanderpump Rulesstar candidly shared.“Obviously, I’m not the type of person who can have one drink and be okay. It’s just not in my cards, and I had to stop. I was going to lose custody,” he went on. “I’m embarrassing my ex-wife and I’m embarrassing myself. Nobody’s looking at me seriously. I want to do it for myself.”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.Jax Taylor, Brittany Cartwright and their son Cruz.Gabe Ginsberg/GettyTaylor went on, saying that he’s currently only able to see his son when Cartwright allows him to.“I take care of my son as much as [Brittany] allows me to. I don’t know what else she wants from me.” he said. “I’m doing everything that she’s asked for just because I respect her, and I want to make her happy. I’m going above and beyond to show her that I do care, and I want to be in my son’s life.”Shortly after news broke about Taylor’s addiction, Cartwrightreleased a statement to PEOPLE, saying that she was glad her ex-husband was finally honest about his struggles.“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.“Jax Taylor.Gary Gershoff/GettyCartwright added, “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.”On Aug. 27, Cartwright filed for divorce from her husband of five years,requesting primary legal and physical custodyof Cruz. In a document filed on Sept. 26, in response toCartwright’s divorce filing, Taylor requested that Cartwrightreceive full legal and physical custodyof their son.After filing, a source told PEOPLE that Cartwright’s focus is on her son as she and Taylor strive tobecome friendly co-parents.“This step has been a long time coming and something Brittany knew she had to do for the best interest of herself and her son in order to move forward and put a stop to this tumultuous cycle they’ve been living in,” said the source.“Jax is feeling mixed emotions. He knows this is ultimately the right decision but is sad that things ended up the way they have. It’s an emotional month for him and he’s trying to stay strong for his son.”

Jax Tayloris focused on getting sober for one very important person — his son Cruz.

On Tuesday, Mar. 4,The Valleystar, 45, shared that he has been dealing with substance issues while appearing on Bravo’sHot Micpodcast. Taylor told host Alex Baskin that he’s had “substance issues — primarily with cocaine” for the past 20 years and shared that one of the reasons he’s striving to get sober is for his 3-year-old son Cruz, whom he shares with ex-wifeBrittany Cartwright, 36.

“The big thing here is my son. He’s my drive and he’s my No. 1 driver for this,” the formerVanderpump Rulesstar candidly shared.

“Obviously, I’m not the type of person who can have one drink and be okay. It’s just not in my cards, and I had to stop. I was going to lose custody,” he went on. “I’m embarrassing my ex-wife and I’m embarrassing myself. Nobody’s looking at me seriously. I want to do it for myself.”

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.

Jax Taylor, Brittany Cartwright and their son Cruz.Gabe Ginsberg/Getty

Gabe Ginsberg/Getty

Taylor went on, saying that he’s currently only able to see his son when Cartwright allows him to.

“I take care of my son as much as [Brittany] allows me to. I don’t know what else she wants from me.” he said. “I’m doing everything that she’s asked for just because I respect her, and I want to make her happy. I’m going above and beyond to show her that I do care, and I want to be in my son’s life.”

Shortly after news broke about Taylor’s addiction, Cartwrightreleased a statement to PEOPLE, saying that she was glad her ex-husband was finally honest about his struggles.

“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.”

Jax Taylor.Gary Gershoff/Getty

Gary Gershoff/Getty

Cartwright added, “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.”

On Aug. 27, Cartwright filed for divorce from her husband of five years,requesting primary legal and physical custodyof Cruz. In a document filed on Sept. 26, in response toCartwright’s divorce filing, Taylor requested that Cartwrightreceive full legal and physical custodyof their son.

After filing, a source told PEOPLE that Cartwright’s focus is on her son as she and Taylor strive tobecome friendly co-parents.

“This step has been a long time coming and something Brittany knew she had to do for the best interest of herself and her son in order to move forward and put a stop to this tumultuous cycle they’ve been living in,” said the source.

“Jax is feeling mixed emotions. He knows this is ultimately the right decision but is sad that things ended up the way they have. It’s an emotional month for him and he’s trying to stay strong for his son.”

source: people.com