Life moves fast in the "Valley," but it moves even faster once you finally ditch 400 pounds of dead weight named Jax Taylor. If you’ve been scrolling through your feed lately wondering about the Brittany Cartwright new boyfriend situation, you aren't alone. Everyone wanted the Kentucky sweetheart to find her "happily ever after" after years of enduring... well, everything we saw on Vanderpump Rules.
But here is the thing: the reality is a little messier than a fairytale.
The Brandon Hanson Whirlwind
So, who was the guy? His name is Brandon Hanson. He wasn't some random influencer looking for a "Blue Check" boost. Actually, he and Brittany go way back—like, 15 years back to their days in Kentucky. They reconnected in the summer of 2025, and for a minute there, it looked like Brittany had finally found her match.
They were spotted everywhere. LAX? Check. Looking cozy at the Narwal End of Summer Soirée in West Hollywood? Absolutely. Kristen Doute—the ultimate gatekeeper of friend-group drama—even gave him her stamp of approval. She told People that Brandon was "very wonderful" and "family-feeling." High praise from the woman who usually smells a rat from a mile away.
Honestly, the connection made sense on paper. Both were going through grueling, public-facing divorces. Brandon was navigating a split from his wife, Jasina Stanko, while Brittany was (and still is) untangling herself from the Jax Taylor web. They found comfort in the shared trauma of "starting over" in their mid-30s while raising kids.
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Why the Spark Fizzled Out
It didn't last. By October 2025, Brittany confirmed on her podcast, When Reality Hits, that she and Brandon had called it quits. It was a classic "rebound" timeline—about two months of intense connection followed by a quiet realization that maybe it wasn't the one.
There was also a bit of social media friction that didn't help. Brandon’s estranged wife, Jasina, wasn't exactly quiet about the situation. She popped up in TikTok comments claiming he was still her husband and that "that man is married." Brittany later clarified at BravoCon 2025 that she was absolutely not a "homewrecker" and that Brandon was legally separated when they started hanging out.
Still, that kind of baggage is heavy. When you’re already dealing with Jax Taylor’s burner accounts and mental health facility stints, the last thing you want is more drama from a new partner's ex.
Is There a New Man in 2026?
As of January 2026, the Brittany Cartwright new boyfriend search is officially on pause. During her most recent appearances, Brittany has been shouting from the rooftops that she is single.
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She’s currently focusing on:
- Finalizing the Divorce: It’s been a nightmare. The date has been pushed back multiple times—from July to October, and now into early 2026. Brittany recently blamed Jax for "holding it up."
- The Valley Season 3: Filming has been intense. With Jax officially out of the cast for the upcoming season, the spotlight is entirely on Brittany’s "glow up" and her life as a single mom.
- Her Son, Cruz: Brittany has been incredibly open about Cruz’s journey with autism, and she’s made it clear that any man who enters her life has to be 100% on board with her "mom first" lifestyle.
Before Brandon, there were rumors about a singer named Will Gittens. They were seen together in May 2025, and fans caught them flirting in the background of some Instagram videos. Brittany called it a "crush" and said he helped her feel beautiful again, but it never turned into a full-blown relationship.
The Reality of Dating After Jax
Dating after a decade with a "villain" isn't easy. Brittany has been candid about the fact that her confidence was basically in the basement when she left Jax. He reportedly called her names—like "tree trunk"—and made her feel invisible.
The brief stint with Brandon Hanson wasn't a failure; it was a proof of concept. It proved to Brittany (and the fans) that she can have butterflies again. She told reporters at BravoCon that she’s excited to "explore the new me" and let go of the toxic weight she carried for so long.
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What’s Next for Brittany?
If you're looking for the next Brittany Cartwright new boyfriend announcement, you might have to wait for the The Valley Season 3 premiere. Bravo producers know that her dating life is gold, and they likely have cameras following her every "Hinge" swipe and cocktail date.
For now, she’s living in her own home, raising her son, and waiting for those divorce papers to finally be signed. She isn't rushing into anything serious, and honestly? Good for her. After ten years of Jax, a few months of "just Brittany" is exactly what the doctor ordered.
Actionable Insights for Following the Drama:
- Watch the Podcast: If you want the news straight from the source, When Reality Hits is where she drops the most tea before it hits the tabloids.
- Check the Credits: Keep an eye on The Valley Season 3 casting news. If a new guy is serious, he’ll show up in the background of a group party scene first.
- Ignore the "Trolls": Jax Taylor is known to use burner accounts to bash Brittany’s dating choices. If you see a random account with zero followers talking trash about her "new man," take it with a massive grain of salt.