Brittany Cartwright candidly shares the emotional process of moving on from Jax Taylor. She is an advocate for reentry and has spoken candidly about her struggles while living apart from him. The twosome broke up in March 2024. Taylor’s inability to leave their home in Los Angeles for seven months put a huge emotional strain on Cartwright and their son, Cruz, who had been diagnosed with autism the previous fall.
The Los Angeles home has also taken on special significance for Cartwright and Cruz. It has been a “safe haven” for them — a safe and welcoming place at a time when they have faced attacks on many fronts. For Cartwright, the household represents her power and endurance. She further elaborated on the emotional toll that Taylor’s decision to remain in the home took on her. It was not only a burden on their health.
“Jax wasn’t going to be out for seven months and I was going to need to find a different rental home,” stated Cartwright. This toxic environment made her go through a very tough time by herself, because without help she worked to provide stability for Cruz. Though she was open to negotiations and made accommodations, like allowing Taylor to move into the rental homes she located for clients. He regrettably rejected her overture.
I went so far as to suggest that he could move into the rental houses which I had funded the purchase of. He still wouldn’t do it. Period,” she continued, stressing how her husband’s refusal to share information made a trying time even worse.
Cartwright said she had no idea what her future in the house would be during their time apart. “And I didn’t know if I was going to get an opportunity to return here,” she said. Now that she and Cruz are back, the casa has become both their beloved refuge.
I hope that over the years I helped make this house a home. Cruz was born here. This is his house. He’s got his swimming pool in the backyard. He’s got his swing set. He’s got his playroom. He’s got everything here,” she noted. The environment has been largely paramount in allowing Cruz the comfort and stability needed to thrive. It continues to encourage him as he works through the intricate details of his autism diagnosis.
As they settled back into the home, Cartwright reflected on the impact of Taylor’s past struggles with addiction on their family dynamic. In March, Taylor celebrated his sobriety, feeling free from a two-decade long cocaine addiction. Despite the stressors that came with it, Cartwright believes this journey has deeply changed their relationship for the better.
He’s left a wake of destruction. Cruz and I were unable to save him for an extended period of time, Cartwright said. She said that during their time apart, Taylor failed to pay any of their housing costs.
“This is my house. I’m proud of myself, that I could do it by myself. I’m a girl from Kentucky, and I never even thought I would have a house like this,” she said proudly. Her forms of devotion, revealed by her determination to create a nurturing environment for Cruz, prove that she is a devoted mother.
“I’ll never forgive him for doing that to us,” Cartwright concluded, expressing the emotional scars left by Taylor’s actions during their separation. The struggle to reclaim their home and rebuild stability highlights the broader challenges she faces as a single mother navigating life post-separation.