Brittany Cartwright has been granted a temporary restraining order against her estranged husband, Jax Taylor, after alleging a pattern of domestic violence that included a threat to “gut” her “like a f–king fish.”
The Valley and Vanderpump Rules alum filed the request in Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday, August 27. A judge approved the temporary order the same day, directing Taylor to remain at least 100 yards away from Cartwright, her home, her vehicle, and their 5-year-old son Cruz’s school until a hearing scheduled for September 17. Cartwright’s request for sole custody of Cruz was denied pending that proceeding.
In her supporting declaration, Cartwright, 37, described what she called a years-long pattern of “coercive control, financial abuse, emotional and psychological abuse, gaslighting and even physical violence.” She alleged that Taylor, 47, made the graphic threat during an incident in which he threw furniture at her, causing injury. She submitted photographs of alleged bruises and stated that the confrontation was captured on her security cameras. According to the filing, Taylor also threatened to kill her, broke multiple phones and an iPad belonging to her, destroyed other property, attempted to enter their former home without permission, accessed her phone and social media accounts, deleted messages, and removed her $70,000 wedding ring without returning it.
Cartwright further claimed that Taylor used degrading language toward her—both privately and in public, including in front of their son—and that after their separation he continued to harass her through required co-parenting communications and by posting private messages about Cruz on social media. She cited recent interactions, including an August school orientation and a dispute over a child safety fence, as examples of ongoing confrontational behavior. “I have a genuine fear of my safety and my peace of mind,” she wrote.
Taylor responded in a statement issued Friday. “I made a lot of mistakes and behaved in ways during that period of my life that I’m truly ashamed of and regret and take full responsibility for,” he said. “The person I was in 2024, during the darkest time of my life and at the height of my addiction, is not the person I am today. I got help, went to treatment, and today I’m 1 year and 9 months sober. I’ve remained committed to treatment and therapy, working on myself and changing my life.”
He added that he “strongly dispute[s]” certain allegations and that the full context would be addressed in court. Taylor stated he would respect the court’s orders and that his priority remains his sobriety, mental health, and being a present father to Cruz. He has previously discussed seeking treatment for addiction and mental health issues, including diagnoses of bipolar disorder, PTSD, and narcissistic personality disorder.
The couple began dating in 2015, married in 2019, and separated in early 2024. Cartwright filed for divorce later that year. Their co-parenting relationship and personal conflicts have been documented extensively on Bravo’s The Valley. Taylor is currently in a relationship with the couple’s former publicist, Lori Krebs.
The temporary restraining order remains in effect. Both parties are expected to present their cases at the September 17 hearing.
