Jax Taylor’s Unfiltered Quotes About Raising His and Brittany Cartwright’s Son Cruz Amid Sobriety

Despite personal ups and downs, the one constant in Jax Taylor‘s life is his commitment to his son.

Bravo viewers were introduced to Taylor when he joined Vanderpump Rules in 2013. Two years later, Taylor found love with Brittany Cartwright, and she joined the show in 2015. The couple documented their rocky road to happily ever after, which included having their 2019 nuptials filmed for the show.

Taylor and Cartwright announced their departure from Vanderpump Rules in 2020. After taking a break from reality TV, Taylor and Cartwright expanded their family with son Cruz, whom they welcomed in 2021.

“Our lives changed forever in the absolute best way possible. Our beautiful son Cruz Michael Cauchi was born and we have never been more in love,” Cartwright wrote via Instagram in April 2021. “He is the most precious gift and I am so blessed to be his Mommy. 💙 We are soooooo so happy, he is a dream come true!! 😭💙.”

Taylor and Cartwright’s relationship was documented again on Bravo’s The Valley, which premiered in 2024 shortly after they announced their separation. In June 2024, Taylor entered a 30-day treatment program to address his ongoing mental health struggles, but Cartwright ultimately filed for divorce.

After hinting at larger struggles, Taylor revealed he went to rehab twice for cocaine addiction.

“It didn’t happen the first time. It happened the second time,” he explained on Bravo’s “Hot Mic” podcast in March 2025. “I got a lot out of it the first time. Then when I was out, there was an incident. Brittany and I were actually on the way to a doctor’s appointment for our son and her phone was connected to my car and a man’s name came up. It just triggered me. I did slip after the first incident and I did take substance the night before. I lost it. I went crazy in the car yelling.”

Taylor recalled how he chose to make a change because of his son.

“The worst part about all of this — and this is why I checked myself in — is that my son was in the backseat. That’s when I knew that I have a problem and it’s still there,” he continued. “This was just this utter disgust. The first time I put up a little bit of a fight and the second time I knew I had to go back.”

Keep scrolling for Taylor’s most unfiltered quotes about fatherhood — including the more challenging aspects:

Celebrating His Son

“The amount of love we have for our son is unmeasurable. I can’t believe a week ago today you came into our lives and have changed us forever. Never has a man been more of a man until he has become a father in my opinion, fatherhood is the greatest thing to ever happen to me,” Taylor wrote via Instagram in April 2021. “You can’t explain the feeling, it’s like explaining water to some one who’s never felt water. Cruz has brought me more joy in the last week than I could [have] possibly ever imagined. I promise I will use my fathers handbook and give you the best-childhood a boy could ask for. I am already so proud of you son.”

Adjusting to Dad Life

During an exclusive interview with Us Weekly in May 2021, Taylor admitted he was “petrified” of holding his son, adding, “The first time I had to sit down and did the skin on skin … I didn’t want to break him. I was so scared. I thought I was going to drop him.”

He continued: “It was a big deal. I put pillows all around me. I was like, ‘OK, don’t talk to me. I don’t want to talk. Don’t come near me. Don’t breathe on me.’ After a couple of days went by, I loosened up a little bit.”

Special Shout-Out

“Where do I begin, this year has been the best year of our lives. Seems like just yesterday I was driving at a snails pace on our way home from the hospital, you have brought so much joy and happiness Into our lives and we are so blessed to have such an adorable, sweet, smart, incredibly funny, little boy,” Taylor gushed via Instagram in April 2022. “Watching you grow every day has been absolutely incredible and now you’re turning one today. I can’t believe we have a one year old!! You make [your] mother and I so proud every day buddy I am so honored to be your father. I love you more than anything on this planet and I plan on doing everything in my power to give you the best life possible. Happy 1st birthday Cruz Michael!”

Many Highlights

“One of the best things about being a father is getting to live like a kid a again. watching my son grow and love the things that I used to love like going to Disney with my parents and seeing Mickey and all characters in person,” Taylor captioned an April 2023 post. “Nothing like seeing your child’s face light up when they are in the happiest place on earth. Luckily in this shot Cruz woke up right before we got on the Jungle Cruz so he didn’t miss any excitement.”

Putting Cruz 1st

Following a high-profile split, Taylor told E! News in March 2024 that he and Cartwright “both agree” that Cruz’s well-being is more important than anything else, saying, “I gotta do what’s best for my son. It’s about knowing he’s got two loving parents that love him to death and he’s gonna have the best life possible, whether we are together or not.”

A Milestone Moment

“Happiest of birthdays to my special little man, mommy and daddy love you so much and we are so proud of you. You are the best thing to happen to both of us and we love watching you grow every day. I am beyond blessed to be your dad you are the kindest, happiest little boy on the planet you amaze me every day,” Taylor reflected via Instagram in April 2024. “Having you for a son has been the greatest gift life has given me. For all that you have been, for all that you are, and for all that you have yet to be. I always be by your side for the rest of my life. Thank you for making me a dad. I love you son, Happy 3 birthday! ❤️.”

Showing Love for Cruz

Taylor acknowledged that Cruz inspired his growth, writing via Instagram in July 2024, “The best thing I have ever done with my life. How beautiful is he. … Working on getting better for you and myself buddy, I love you.”

Taking Pride in His Commitment to Cruz

Taylor and Cartwright made headlines when she filed to end their marriage. The former bartender admitted that parting ways was “the right decision for [their] family” during a September 2024 episode of “When Reality Hits.”

“I’ll always love and care for Brittany. She’s the mother of my beautiful son,” he explained. “All I want for us is to be amicable and even, hopefully, really, really good friends. One day. I know I’m an amazing father and I know that I will make an excellent ex-husband.”

Figuring Out Custody

Taylor asked that Cartwright’s request for primary custody be granted. “Jax and Brittany have already long resolved all matters related to custody of Cruz, and will continue to work together privately for the best interest of their son, which remains their overriding concern,” Taylor’s rep told Us in an October 2024 statement.

Taylor elaborated via Instagram, writing, “I’ve made a lot of mistakes but you are by far my biggest accomplishment son nothing in life makes me happier and want to be better person for you. You are the best thing that has ever happened to your mother and I. We love you to the moon Cruzy. 💟🦖.”

Making a Change for Cruz

In an exclusive statement to Us in March 2025, Taylor opened up about his two-decade long addiction struggle.

“For many years I’ve depended on alcohol and drugs as a way to cope and mask many deeper issues. This past year has been the hardest year of my life but also the most eye opening and transformative,” he said. “Coming to terms with my many mental health challenges and being honest about my addiction — both with myself and others has been a crucial part of my healing. It’s been a day-by-day process, but I’m committed to my recovery and working towards a healthier future in order to be a better person and someone my son will be proud of one day.”

Still Figuring Out a New Normal

“[I am focused on] one day at a time. The big thing here is my son. He’s my drive and he’s my No. 1 driver for this,” Taylor explained on the “Hot Mic” podcast in March 2025. “Obviously, I’m not the type of person who can have one drink and be OK. It’s just not in my cards and I had to stop. I was going to lose custody. I’m embarrassing my ex-wife and I’m embarrassing myself. Nobody’s looking at me seriously. I want to do it for myself.”

He continued: “I take care of my son as much as [Brittany] allows me to. I don’t know what else she wants from me. 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.”