If you’ve spent any time on Bravo-adjacent TikTok or scrolled through Instagram lately, you’ve probably seen the headlines. It’s the question every Vanderpump Rules veteran and The Valley newcomer is asking: did Jax and Brittany get divorced yet?
Honestly, the answer is a little more complicated than a simple "yes" or "no," but as of early 2026, they are effectively finished. After nearly a decade of "rawt in hail" moments, cheating scandals, and a very expensive Kentucky wedding, the glitter has finally settled. And it isn't pretty.
The Long Road to the Filing Room
They aren't technically together, and they haven't been for a long time. Brittany Cartwright officially filed for divorce from Jax Taylor in August 2024. This wasn't just some "taking a break" situation like the one they had back in 2017 after the Faith Stowers incident. This was the real deal. Brittany cited irreconcilable differences, which is basically the legal way of saying, "I can't do this for one more second."
She listed their official separation date as January 24, 2024. That’s right—she basically called it quits the day before her 35th birthday. Talk about a birthday present to yourself.
Jax, being Jax, didn't make it easy. When he eventually filed his own response in October 2024, he somehow managed to check a box saying they were never legally married while simultaneously filing for a divorce. You can’t make this stuff up. He later had to hire a high-powered attorney—Mark Vincent Kaplan, who notably represented Kevin Federline—just to fix the paperwork he botched while trying to represent himself.
Why the Divorce Isn’t "Final" Final Yet
So, if she filed in 2024, why are we still asking did Jax and Brittany get divorced in 2026?
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Because Jax has reportedly been dragging his feet. At BravoCon 2025 in Las Vegas, Brittany was pretty open about her frustration. She told fans she was "praying" the judge would sign off by December 2025. She mentioned the date had been pushed back from October 15 because of various delays on Jax's end.
"He waits until the last second for everything," she told Nikki and Brie Garcia on their podcast. "I don’t know if he weirdly thinks I’m going to call it off or something."
As we sit here in January 2026, they are in that weird legal limbo. They are living completely separate lives. They are dating other people. They aren't even filming The Valley together anymore, as Jax famously "stepped away" (or was pushed, depending on who you ask) before Season 3.
What about their son, Cruz?
The one thing they actually seemed to agree on relatively quickly was custody. Despite the initial drama, Jax reportedly agreed to give Brittany primary legal and physical custody of their son, Cruz.
There’s even a specific clause in their paperwork that should make every single mom nod in agreement: neither of them is allowed to introduce a new partner to Cruz unless they’ve been in a serious relationship for at least six months. Brittany initially wanted it to be a year. She’s clearly trying to protect her kid from the revolving door of "Aunties" and "Uncles" that often comes with a messy public split.
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The "Sparkle" is Back
Brittany spent years being the "I can fix him" girl. We all saw it. She stood by him through the Vegas rumors, the stolen sunglasses, and the constant Twitter rants. But something snapped during the filming of the first season of The Valley.
She famously said Jax was "sucking the life" out of her and taking away her "sparkle."
Since the split, she has been leaning into her single era. She’s lost weight, she’s doing her own thing, and she’s even joked about wanting Bravo to give her a dating show. She told People magazine she’s "single as can be" and looking for a "family man" who can actually make her laugh without the constant gaslighting.
Jax’s Reality Check
While Brittany was finding her sparkle, Jax was hitting some major walls. Shortly after the divorce filing, he checked himself into an in-patient mental health facility for 30 days. He eventually went public with a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder and PTSD.
It was a rare moment of vulnerability for a guy who usually spends his time screaming at people on a sidewalk in Studio City.
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But even with the diagnosis, the damage was done. Brittany has been firm: she gave him ten years. She tried everything. She waited for the change that never came, and now she’s just waiting for a piece of paper from a Los Angeles judge to make her freedom official.
Summary of the Current Status
If you’re looking for a quick status update on where things stand right now:
- Marital Status: Legally separated and mid-divorce.
- The Filing: Brittany filed in August 2024; Jax responded (eventually) in October 2024.
- Living Situation: Completely separate. Brittany moved out long ago.
- Custody: Brittany has primary custody of Cruz; Jax has visitation rights.
- Final Decree: As of January 2026, they are likely just weeks—or one court date—away from the final signature.
If you’re following their journey, the best thing to do is keep an eye on Brittany’s podcast, When Reality Hits. She’s been the one giving the most honest, unfiltered updates while Jax tends to post cryptic Instagram stories and then delete them ten minutes later.
The era of Jax and Brittany is over. It’s the era of Brittany (and occasionally Jax’s new bar). To move forward with your own "sparkle" recovery, consider setting firm boundaries in your own relationships—much like the six-month introduction rule Brittany put in her legal documents. Protecting your peace isn't just for reality stars; it's a necessity.