While reflecting on his son’s autism diagnosis, Jax Taylor admitted he would love nothing more than living with Cruz “the rest of his life.”
“We’ve known [about his diagnosis] for a while. Obviously, being a public figure, we have to be very gentle in how we do things,” Taylor, 45, explained exclusively to Us Weekly on Thursday, April 10, at the red carpet premiere for The Valley season 2. “Cruz did not sign up for this life. He’s literally the best thing that’s ever happened to us.”
Taylor gushed over his 3-year-old son’s milestones, adding, “I get emotional just talking [about him] cause he’s so delicious. He’s so smart. He’s so intelligent. He’s lacking a little bit in the verbal but he’ll get there. He’s got such a huge support system.”
It was important for Taylor and estranged wife Brittany Cartwright to “put our stuff aside” for Cruz’s sake.
“We just want that little boy to thrive. That’s the most important thing. It’s not about her and I, it’s about him,” Taylor continued. “He’s in school and he’s in speech and occupational therapy. He’s involved in so much. It’s just taking him a little longer. But, you know what? If he wants to live with me for the rest of his life, that’s fine by me.”
Taylor and Cartwright, 36, found love after appearing on numerous seasons of Vanderpump Rules. After their 2020 exit from VPR, the pair expanded their family with son Cruz before returning to reality TV with The Valley.
In between seasons 1 and 2, Taylor and Cartwright made headlines for their separation and subsequent divorce proceedings. Cartwright revealed earlier this month that they have continued to prioritize coparenting after Cruz was diagnosed with autism six months prior.
“There’s a lot of parents going through this. I would love to connect with other families,” Taylor admitted to Us on Thursday. “I want to help raise money and raise awareness. It’s a really big deal in today’s society. So if we can help kids out and understand this a little bit more, I feel like this is what I’m here for. I want to help.”
Taylor, who recently spoke out about his path to sobriety after struggling with addiction, also explained why Cruz’s diagnosis did — and didn’t — bring him and Cartwright closer.
“Obviously, it has. But it’s not the main reason why we’re not getting along. I don’t want people to say that,” he noted. “We talk every day. We’re OK today but God knows what’s gonna happen tomorrow. Anyone going through a divorce goes through this. I don’t know who doesn’t. It’s just a tough thing but we’re gonna be OK.”
The Valley season 2 premieres on Bravo Tuesday, April 15, at 9 p.m. ET. New episodes stream the next day on Peacock.
With reporting by Amanda Williams
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