Jax Taylor faces criticism after Bravo star calls 'Vanderpump Rules' 'scripted' in drunken rant
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Jax Taylor has unleashed criticism on the characters of 'Vanderpump Rules' in a new video filmed in a bar. Jax made additional remarks about the "fakeness" of 'Vanderpump Rules' —even though he features in the current season—sparking speculation among viewers about his future on the series.
He was in Jax's Studio City pub, seated on a blue couch alongside Stephen McGee from 'Summer House'. Jax grabbed a microphone from the restaurant and proceeded to criticize the Bravo show and his former cast members.
The Bravo actor launched an attack on the 11th season of the show that brought him fame, advising viewers not to "buy" a forthcoming love triangle storyline starring his chum Tom Schwartz, ex-wife Katie Maloney, and newcomer Tori Keeth. During a viewing party for his new program 'The Valley' in Studio City, Jax provided a sneak peek at next week's 'Vanderpump Rules' episode.
He admonished the audience, saying, "Don't buy that!" as a video of Tom kissing Tori was displayed. "He’s in Hawaii right now with his new girlfriend. He’s very happy," Jax remarked of Tom.
Jax then launched into a diatribe against 'Vanderpump Rules' as the third episode of his program 'The Valley' began to air.
When last season's Scandoval cheating controversy broke, a Bravo insider informed The New York Post that there were no "staged" moments. However, in the latest video, Jax criticized his former show while holding court with customers at his Ventura Boulevard bar on April 2, 2024.
First, he asserted that the cast did not socialize off-camera. Then, he stated, "Show me a scripted show, and I'll show you f**king 'Vanderpump Rules.'" "Scripted! Scripted! I've been on this show for nine f**king years; this is scripted."
He even mentioned that he would appear on the show next week, alleging that his role was scripted. As he described the event as "disastrous," he swayed his knee back and forth, appearing slightly inebriated, with some of his sentences running together.
After trashing the show, Jax admitted that seasons one through six were "organic" and authentic, but that they became fabricated after the group began earning real money.
The reality personality went on to say, "At the beginning, this was our job, and this is what we loved to do. This is when it goes too far."
Fans ripped him out in the video comments for slamming the reality TV show in his pub. One user wrote, "He's gonna find himself fired again if he keeps talking." While others added, "He is becoming Kanye of VPR… someone needs to check in on his mental health… who is he even talking to?"
One user joked, "I guess 40 year olds pantsing each other is real groundbreaking." One fan said, "Messy! He’s so happy to be back in the spotlight but he’s gonna blow it AGAIN!! Poor Brittany, could you imagine being linked to Jax your whole life 🫠🫣 or having to raise a child with this man! YIKES."
One user asked, "He realizes who employs him right." While others threw jab writing, "Struggling” in a 2 million dollar home with a bar you just opened and a wife who’s renting a second up the street that is probably just as expensive lol….yes…”struggling” lol."
Jax Taylor earlier called 'Vanderpump Rules' real deal
This is not the first instance where Jax has claimed that 'Vanderpump Rules' is staged. He previously told Us Weekly that he "checked out" during Season 8, his final season on the program.
"It was getting a little bit too scripted for me, and I just couldn’t do it anymore," he stated. "It wasn’t fun." In 2018, Jax told a different narrative, claiming 'Vanderpump Rules' was the genuine thing. "I pride myself on [the fact that] we have a real show," he told In Touch Weekly at the time.
"It’s real. Just because there are cameras, I’m not going to be like, 'Oh, I’m going to do this and act like this.' That’s just not how our show works. I think that’s why our show works so well—because we are a real show."
Brittany Cartwright was disturbed by rumors that separation from Jax Taylor was faked for 'The Valley'
Jax made his remarks about 'Vanderpump Rules' when his estranged wife Brittany Cartwright was in New York City for a taping of 'Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen'. Jax and Brittany announced their separation in February 2024, after nearly five years of marriage.
The revelation came weeks before the launch of 'The Valley,' leading some fans to speculate that the couple's breakup was a publicity gimmick to promote the forthcoming series. Brittany told 'WWHL' host Andy Cohen that the conjecture had harmed her.
"It was so hurtful for me because I feel like I’ve always shown my true character, and I feel like why would anybody think I would do that, especially with my son, you know?" she stated. "Like, I would never put him through that for no reason, for a fake stunt. Like, that doesn’t make any sense."
Why did 'Vanderpump Rules' stars Brittany Cartwright and Jax Taylor split?
Brittany also clarified why she decided to end her relationship with Jax. "We just had a horrible fight, and it was like a veil was lifted, and I noticed everything wrong," she told Andy.
"He kind of woke up one morning and was mad that I went out with Kristen [Doute] the night before, and kind of like made up a story in his own head and started a fight over something that never happened." "It was just a very toxic situation that I felt like I needed to remove myself from," she continued.
