
Jax Taylor: Diagnosis, Sobriety, Career & Legal Troubles (2026)
If you’ve followed the Vanderpump Rules universe, you know Jax Taylor has always been the guy generating headlines. But lately, those headlines have shifted from cocktail drama to something far more personal―a bipolar diagnosis, a felony theft arrest, and a hard-won sobriety milestone.
Birth: July 11, 1979 (age 46) · Occupation: Television personality, model, actor · Spouse: Brittany Cartwright (m. 2019; sep. 2024) · Children: 1 son (Cruz) · Known for: Vanderpump Rules · Recent milestone: Sober milestone celebrated May 2026
Quick snapshot
- Diagnosed with bipolar disorder, PTSD, and OCD (self‑disclosed on Access Hollywood)
- Celebrated 1.5 years sober in May 2026 (Bravo TV)
- Arrested for felony theft in Hawaii; plea deal resulted in probation (Bravo TV)
- Exact date of the 2015 felony arrest
- Disposition of the case beyond probation
- Official medical diagnosis (only self‑reported)
- Current net worth and specific income amounts
- March 2025: claims 83 days sober (Instagram)
- April 2025: discloses bipolar, PTSD, OCD (Access Hollywood)
- May 2026: reaches 1.5 years sober (Bravo TV)
- Focus on podcast In the Mind of a Man (Facebook)
- Co‑parenting son Cruz from new home (Bravo TV)
- No current return to The Valley (Los Angeles Times)
The data in the overview table summarizes Taylor’s key biographical and legal details.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Jason Michael Cauchi (professionally Jax Taylor) |
| Birthdate | July 11, 1979 |
| Hometown | Shelby Township, Michigan |
| Spouse | Brittany Cartwright (2019–2024 separated) |
| Children | 1 son, Cruz (born 2021) |
| Occupation | Television personality, model, actor, podcast host |
| Known for | Vanderpump Rules (2013–2020) |
| Key recent event | Felony theft arrest (2016 plea deal); sober milestone May 2026 |
What is Jax Taylor diagnosed with?
Official statements on his mental health
In an April 2025 interview with Access Hollywood (entertainment news program), Taylor disclosed that he had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, post‑traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive‑compulsive disorder (OCD). He said he had entered rehab twice and was 133 days sober at the time.
Public discussion of bipolar disorder or other conditions
- He described managing the conditions with medication and therapy.
- A September 2025 article on Avenues Recovery (recovery resource site) reported that he had completed inpatient rehab in August 2024.
- The Los Angeles Times (authoritative newspaper) noted in July 2025 that Taylor was leaving The Valley to focus on sobriety and mental health.
No medical professional or institution has publicly confirmed the diagnosis. Taylor’s disclosures remain the sole source, which limits independent verification.
The pattern: Taylor’s public statements are the only evidence available, making verification difficult.
Is Jax really sober now?
Timeline of his sobriety journey
- March 4, 2025: Taylor posted on Instagram (social media) that he was 83 days sober and had been struggling with cocaine addiction for about 20 years, as reported by PEOPLE (celebrity‑news magazine).
- April 10, 2025: He told Access Hollywood he was 133 days sober and had gone to rehab twice.
- April 11, 2025: E! News (entertainment network) reported he had been sober for 132 days.
- May 2026: Bravo TV (official network) published a piece stating Taylor celebrated 1.5 years sober that week and had checked himself back into treatment for 90 days the previous summer.
- May 2026: An Instagram post marked 18 months alcohol‑ and drug‑free.
Major sober milestone celebrated in May 2026
The Bravo report confirmed that Taylor participated in a Mental Health Awareness Month 5K run as an alumnus. He said the milestone was possible because he “went back to treatment for 90 days last summer” and has stayed committed.
The 18‑month sobriety mark, corroborated by multiple outlets, is the longest publicly recorded stretch for Taylor after two decades of substance use. It also shaped his decision to sit out The Valley Season 3.
The implication: this milestone represents a genuine turning point, not just a media event.
What does Jax Taylor do for a living today?
Current income sources
Taylor hosts the podcast In the Mind of a Man, which he announced on Facebook (social media platform) in early 2025, writing, “My new podcast series is coming to a city near you!”
- Podcast: Live tour and advertising revenue.
- Appearances & endorsements: Brand partnerships on social media.
- Real estate: He moved to a new home in May 2026 with son Cruz, per Bravo TV (network).
Podcast and media projects
His podcast remains the primary regular platform. He has not appeared on Vanderpump Rules since 2020 and is not returning to spin‑off The Valley in its current season, as confirmed by the Los Angeles Times (news outlet).
The pattern: Taylor’s income appears to be podcast‑driven and social‑media‑based, without a major TV salary. Net worth figures remain unverified.
Why did Jax get a felony?
Details of the felony theft arrest
In July 2015, Taylor was arrested in Hawaii after attempting to steal a pair of sunglasses valued at more than $300, according to Bravo TV (network coverage). The charge was second‑degree theft, a felony in Hawaii because of the value threshold.
Legal proceedings and outcomes
- On February 17, 2016, Taylor accepted a plea deal.
- He received 364 days of probation and no jail time.
- The case is closed; no felony conviction appears on his current public record, though the arrest remains searchable.
What this means: The “felony” label refers to the original charge, not the outcome. The arrest itself was a significant media event, but the legal consequence was probation only.
What is happening to Jax Taylor?
Recent life changes: separation, new home, family updates
Taylor and Stassi Schroeder: Net Worth, Firing, and Life After Vanderpump castmate Brittany Cartwright separated in 2024. They continue co‑parenting son Cruz, born in 2021. In May 2026, Taylor moved into a new house with Cruz, as Bravo reported.
Career moves and future plans
- Podcast tours and episodes.
- No announced TV projects.
- Focus remains on sobriety and mental health maintenance.
The trade‑off: By stepping back from The Valley, Taylor traded a guaranteed Bravo paycheck for the flexibility to manage his recovery and a new home life.
Timeline
- July 11, 1979: Born in Shelby Township, Michigan.
- 2013–2020: Cast member on Vanderpump Rules (Wikipedia).
- 2015: Arrested in Hawaii for felony theft of sunglasses (Bravo TV).
- February 17, 2016: Plea deal – 364 days probation (Bravo TV).
- 2019: Marries Brittany Cartwright.
- 2021: Son Cruz born.
- 2024: Separation from Cartwright.
- August 2024: Enters inpatient rehab for 90 days (per Bravo TV).
- March 2025: Claims 83 days sober.
- April 10, 2025: Discloses bipolar, PTSD, OCD; 133 days sober.
- July 2025: Leaves The Valley to focus on health (Los Angeles Times).
- May 2026: Celebrates 1.5 years sober; moves to new home.
Confirmed facts
- Real name and birthdate (Wikipedia)
- Marriage to Cartwright and separation (multiple sources)
- Sobriety milestones (Bravo, Instagram, TMZ)
- Felony arrest and plea deal (Bravo)
- Podcast launch (Facebook)
What’s unclear
- Exact date of felony arrest
- Official medical record (self‑reported only)
- Current net worth
- Specific income figures
Quotes
My new podcast series @inthemindofaman is coming to a city near you! I’ll be hosting these unfiltered conversations live kicking off April 18 in Nashville, TN!
— Jax Taylor on Facebook (social media), announcing his podcast tour
Jax Taylor shared how his son, Cruz, has been adjusting to his new house.
— Bravo TV (network report), May 2026
Jason Michael Cauchi … known professionally as Jax Taylor, is an American television personality, model, and actor.
For readers following the Bravo‑verse, the story of Jax Taylor since 2024 has been one of pulling back from the center of reality TV chaos to focus on personal recovery and fatherhood. The podcast remains his main outlet, but his future on traditional television is uncertain after leaving The Valley. Taylor has built a stability that contrasts sharply with the drama that once defined him.
Related reading: Stassi Schroeder: Net Worth, Firing, and Life After Vanderpump · Ariana Madix: Age, Net Worth, Lawsuit, and Relationship
The reality star’s path to sobriety and his bipolar diagnosis are further examined in Jax Taylors sobriety and diagnosis.
Frequently asked questions
What is Jax Taylor’s net worth?
Net worth figures vary widely in unverified online sources. No public financial disclosure exists, so any number is speculative.
Is Jax Taylor still married to Brittany Cartwright?
They married in 2019 and separated in 2024. The legal status of the marriage has not been announced publicly.
How many children does Jax Taylor have?
One son, Cruz, born in 2021.
What is Jax Taylor’s real name?
Jason Michael Cauchi. He uses Jax Taylor professionally.
Where does Jax Taylor live now?
He moved to a new home in May 2026 with his son, Cruz, as reported by Bravo.
What happened to Jax Taylor on Vanderpump Rules?
He was a main cast member from 2013 to 2020. After season 8, he was not asked back for season 9, reportedly due to off‑screen behavior and the show’s narrative direction.
Did Jax Taylor go to jail?
No. He accepted a plea deal in 2016 that resulted in 364 days of probation for a felony theft charge; no jail time was served.
What is Jax Taylor’s podcast called?
In the Mind of a Man.