Jax Taylor Recalls Challenges of Being a Villain on ‘Pump Rules’

Needed break. Jax Taylor has no regrets when it comes to him and Brittany Cartwrightdecision to move away from the spotlight after they Vanderpump Rules.

“My mental health has suffered greatly. It’s been eight years of drilling. I’ve been the villain of the show for eight years,” the Michigan native, 43, said during a recent episode of the show. Forever Young Podcast. “(I) just got beat up.”

Taylor recalled how participation in the popular series “Bravo” influenced his personal life.

“I have thick skin – yes – but after a while I don’t care how thick your skin is. After eight years, it takes its toll. At the end, I really doubted my mental health,” he added. “I broke down. I cried. I made a lot of stupid mistakes at the end. I just fell. I chose to be in this world, but I failed. It’s hard.”

The ups and downs of the former sweater designer were documented during his time on Vanderpump Rules. Taylor, who tied the knot on screen with 34-year-old Cartwright in 2019, announced his and his wife’s departure from the show in December 2020.

“The last 8 years at Vanderpump Rules have been some of the most challenging, rewarding and eventful years of my life,” they wrote in separate statements via Instagram. “While this is hard to share, Brittany and I will not be returning for another season of Vanderpump Rules. We are excited to use this time to focus on our growing family and share our new beginnings with you. @bravotv, @evolutionusa and our co-stars Vanderpump will always be in our hearts. Thanks to all the fans who shared our journey with us and supported us in everything. We love you.”

At the time, Cartwright apparently hinted that their decision to leave may not be solely up to the couple. “Guys, do you really think that we should write whatever we want?” she responded to fans who pointed out the couple’s identical farewell messages.

Taylor, who welcomed son Cruise with the Kentucky native in April 2021, later admitted that his interest in filming faded ahead of his departure.

“At the end, I was 100 percent verified. … I was just very irritable on the show. It was getting too scripted for me and I just couldn’t do it anymore. It wasn’t fun,” the former reality TV star said exclusively. Us weekly in May 2021.

More recently, Taylor and Cartwright have joined Vanderpump Rules conversation among Tom Sandovalexplosive romance with Raquel Lewis. The former Bravo stars spoke out publicly about the scandal and appeared in three episodes of The Peacock Clock in the show’s 10th season. Vanderpump Rules.

Taylor has since said that he would “absolutely” return to the show if he was invited back. Cartwright, for her part, noted that a few steps back allowed the duo to once again be in a place where they are comfortable in front of the cameras.

“I think now that he was on hiatus – by the end of Season 8 filming he was a bit of Jaxie. I think after this break you’ll be ready. I’m always ready,” she shared earlier this month on a podcast.