Jax Taylor had previously said he doesn’t believe in divorce, after it was reported Tuesday that his wife Brittany Cartwright filed papers to end the couple’s five-year marriage.
The Shelby Township, Michigan-born reality star, 45, and Cartwright, 35 — who are parents to son Cruz Michael Cauchi, three — spoke to People about their views on maintaining a healthy marriage almost a year and a half ago.
“I don’t believe in divorce,” Taylor said of his marriage to Cartwright, which began in June 2019. “I don’t believe in that. Marriage is work. I’m not saying every day is great.”
After Cartwright said she found every day “wonderful,” Taylor, who spent time in a facility earlier this summer, said she feels like a healthy marriage is a give-and-take.
“There are good days and bad days, but that’s marriage, and that’s what makes your relationship stronger,” she said. “We love each other hard. We fight hard. It’s great.”
Jax Taylor, 45, previously said he doesn’t believe in divorce amid Tuesday’s news that his wife Brittany Cartwright, 35, has filed paperwork to end the couple’s five-year marriage. The estranged couple were photographed on Watch What Happens Live in March 2023
Taylor, pictured in April in Washington, D.C., said, “I don’t believe in divorce. I don’t believe in that. Marriage is work. I’m not saying every day is great.”
Taylor cited his parents — his late father Ronald Cauchi and his estranged mother Marie Cauchi — to detail his values when it comes to marriage.
“My parents are not divorced,” Taylor said in the March 2023 interview.
In the interview, Taylor said that he and Cartwright, former Vanderpump Rules co-stars, were “best friends,” adding that she was the “only one” who “could” put up with him.
Taylor said: “We have a lot of fun together. I honestly can’t imagine my life with anyone else. Like I said, she’s the ying to my yang, kind of.”
Taylor said in the interview that Cartwright had the “patience” and understanding required to compliment his personality, which he admitted could be difficult at times.
“I’m a tough guy to be around, so you need a certain person to deal with my shit,” Taylor said. “Even through all of this, and even though my life is a lot better now, I’m still tough to deal with.
“I think she’s the only one who can really put up with me.”
In the interview with People, Cartwright said that parenthood was also an important part of keeping the marriage together: “I think parenthood has made us stronger because I love seeing him as a father… you just love him more.”
Taylor quoted his parents – his late father Ronald Cauchi and his estranged mother Marie Cauchi – regarding his values when it comes to marriage, saying: ‘My parents are not divorced’
Cartwright said she and Taylor split on January 24. Pictured in Las Vegas last year
Cartwright said in the 2023 interview that people had underestimated their ability to stay together.
“We always heard when we got married, people would say, ‘They’re going to be together for a year,’ or something like that,” Cartwright said. “Now we’ve been together for eight years, married for almost four years. We’re doing just fine.”
Cartwright acknowledged that she and Taylor had split on a February 29 episode of the estranged couple’s podcast When reality hits.
“I know I said in my last podcast that a lot of marriages go through tough times,” Cartwright said. “Yes, marriages are tough in general, and I’ve had a particularly tough year this past year.
‘Jax and I are taking some time apart and I’ve decided to move into a different house to create some space for my mental health.’
Cartwright said in court documents seen by Ny Breaking.com that “irreconcilable differences” were the reason for her decision to file for divorce on Tuesday.
Cartwright, who said she and Taylor separated on Jan. 24, asked the court for primary legal and physical custody of their son, adding that she would not object to Taylor having visitation with the child.