Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright are pumping the brakes on their relationship.
After four years of marriage, the Vanderpump Rules alums have separated and are taking time apart, Brittany announced on Feb. 29.
"Marriages in general are very hard and I've had a particularly rough year this past year," she shared on their joint podcast When Reality Hits. "Jax and I are taking time apart and I made the decision to move into another home to take some space for the sake of my mental health."
Brittany—who shares 2-year-old son Cruz with Jax—added that the split is "still very hard to talk about," though she's taking it "one day at a time."
"I don't know what the future holds," the 35-year-old said, "but right now my focus is on being the best mom to Cruz."
However, this is not the first time Jax, 44, and Brittany—who tied the knot in 2019—have hit the pause button to SURvey where they stand. Back in 2017, the pair broke up after Jax confessed to cheating with fellow VPR castmate Faith Stowers.
"This isn't my first time being caught cheating," he admitted on an episode of Vanderpump Rules, explaining that he became unfaithful after fighting with Brittany "for a long time."
Jax added, "In the past, I've gone through months and months of deny, deny, deny, and that didn't work for me."
Though Brittany initially told him to "rot in hell," her tune started to change after seeing Jax turn a new leaf. By the following year, the pair rekindled their romance.
"He was very persistent and just did not give up," Brittany told E! News in 2018 of their reconciliation. "I knew that I loved him still. I was trying to act like I didn't. In the end, I'm just so glad where we are right now because we are so much better than we ever have been."
Only time will tell if the couple will go for another around or declare last call on their marriage. For now, keep reading to relive their love story.
Welcome to SUR
Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright first meet while vacationing in Las Vegas in 2015. He convinced her to join the cast of Vanderpump Rules for season four, which premiered that same year. Following her Bravo debut, the Kentucky native and Jax took their relationship to the next level in the public eye.
Going Country
The pair took a break from life in West Hollywood and headed to the brunette beauty's home state: Kentucky. They filmed their Bravo spinoff show, Jax and Brittany Take Kentucky, where they experience many ups and downs in their relationship. The first and only season aired in 2017.
Hitting the Pause Button
Brittany and Jax briefly called it quits in December 2017 after he confessed to cheating with fellow VPR castmate Faith Stowers. However, they rekindled their romance and appeared happier than ever during the Pump Rules reunion in May 2018.
"He was very persistent and just did not give up," Brittany told E! News following the reconciliation. "There were some times—sorry to say this Jax—where I'd have 30 missed calls from him. He just wasn't going to give up on me."
The Big Question
Brittany shared the special news that she and Jax are engaged on Instagram. "Omg omg!!!!!!!! We are ENGAGED! What a way to start our summer and season 7," she said of her proposal, which took place in Malibu in June 2018. " I am so happy, so in love, and so beyond excited for this next chapter of our lives! I am the happiest girl ever right now."
Engagement Festivities
The two lovebirds celebrate their engagement news with their closest friends and family. It's certainly a night to remember!
Red Carpet Ready
The two bring the glitz and the glam to ther 2018 People's Choice Awards, where Brittany showed off her gorgeous engagement bling.
"Thank you sooooo much to the fans who got us this far, this is an incredible experience that I never imagined I would be apart of and I am so grateful," she wrote on Instagram. "I won't forget this night for the rest of my life..."
Two Lovebirds
In the midst of wedding planning, the reality TV personalities shared a special moment on Andy Cohen's Watch What Happens Live.
Time to Party
The couple lived it up as they celebrated their joint bachelorette and bachelor parties in Miami. At the time, a source told E! News Jax and Brittany were "having a blast" with their guests.
It's Official!
Ahead of their televised wedding ceremony, the couple got their marriage license at the Clark County Courthouse in Kentucky.
Wedded Bliss
Family, friends and Vanderpump Rules cast members watched the Bravo stars tie the knot at a Kentucky Castle in June 2020.
Baby Boom
In September 2020, Brittany and Jax announce they're expecting a baby boy. "Mom & Dad," Brittany captioned a phoyto of herself and Jax. "The love of our lives is coming soon."
End of an Era
Amid Brittany's pregnancy, the couple announced in December 2020 that they "will not be returning for another season of Vanderpump Rules."
They added at the time, "We are excited to take this time to focus on our growing family and share with you our new endeavors."
Brittany gave birth to her and Jax's first baby—son Cruz Michael Cauchi—on April 12, 2021 "We have never been more in love," she shared on Instagram. "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!!"
Valley Rules
In January 2024, Bravo announced that Brittany and Jax—as well as fellow VPR alum Kristen Doute—will star in the spinoff series called The Valley, which will center around their day-to-day in the famed Los Angeles suburb.
Taking Time Apart
The couple hinted at problems in their marriage in February 2024, sharing that they had separated for the time being.
"Yes, marriages in general are very hard and I've had a particularly rough year this past year," Brittany shared on their joint podcast When Reality Hits. "Jax and I are taking time apart and I made the decision to move into another home to take some space for the sake of my mental health."
(E! and Bravo are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)