Jax Taylor is ready to go from Number One Guy In The Group to the number one ex-husband of Brittany Cartwright.
On Friday’s episode of his and Brittany’s When Reality Hits podcast, The Valley star spoke about Brittany’s recent decision to file for divorce, more than six months after the former Vanderpump Rules couple announced their separation.
Brittany recently explained to fans that she and Jax would be hosting their joint podcast separately going forward, and Friday marked the first episode hosted by Jax since Brittany filed for divorce, as well as the first episode since Jax’s (nearly) 30-day stint at an inpatient mental health facility. At the beginning of the episode, Jax spoke about his wife taking the steps to end their marriage, calling it “the right decision.”
“Brittany did file for divorce, I understand why she did and I agree that this is the right decision for our family,” Jax said, before going on to mention the couple’s three-year-old son, Cruz. “I will always love and care for Brittany I mean, she’s the mother of my beautiful son. All I want for us is to be amicable coparents and even hopefully really, really good friends one day.”
As The Ashley previously reported, Brittany officially filed for divorce last week, citing “irreconcilable differences” as the reason behind the split. While Jax was presumably unable to be the husband Brittany wanted him to be, Jax seems confident in his ability to be an “excellent” former spouse to her.
“I know I’m an amazing father and I know that I will make an excellent ex-husband,” Jax said. “So that’s all I’m gonna say about this right now.”
On Friday’s episode Jax also opened up about his decision to check into a mental health facility in July, telling listeners he “knew something wasn’t right” and “was really, really scared to find out” what it was.
“I’ve known for years that there’s been something wrong, but I just kind of didn’t want to know,” he said. “ … During my stay, I kind of found out a lot about myself. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder … I now have a bit better understanding of my mental health struggles.”
Jax– who recently claimed that he was also diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)– went on to tell listens that he has been “put on some serious medication” that has been helping him out “a lot.”
“ … You know, in time, I’ll definitely speak more about it openly,” he said. “But right now, I kind of just need to deal with this process. I’m doing a lot of reading up on it and research on it because this is a serious, serious disorder and I know a lot of people out there are going through this kind of thing … .”
Jax added that he’s “committed to trying to be a better version” of himself.
“Small steps, trying to use coping skills, I was taught this in therapy, trying to get through the day,” he said.
Jax’s latest comments come just a week after Brittany made her own on the podcast, telling listeners she couldn’t “speak on details” at the moment, due to the situation being “heavily documented” for the upcoming season of ‘The Valley.’ She did, however, discuss how hard it’s been having her divorce play out in such a public way.
“I never imagined I’d go through something so personal, so painful while having the world watch … ,” she said, while getting emotional. “I’m not saying this for anyone to feel badly, because I know this is the life I chose, and I’m so fortunate in many ways. But I will always want to be real with y’all.”
Brittany also told listeners that the decision to end her marriage “wasn’t made lightly or quickly.”
“It’s taken me many, many years to get to this point, where I’ve gained enough courage and strength to do what is best for me, get myself out of a toxic relationship, and ultimately see my worth,” she said. “It’s been very difficult, but I’m stronger than ever. My motivation is my son, my Cruzzy, who deserves a happy and healthy mommy.”
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(Photos: Bravo; Instagram)
