Brittany Cartwright is sharing a positive update on her life as she continues navigating motherhood and the next chapter of her family dynamic. The “The Valley” star, 36, said she feels she is thriving as a single mom while raising her 4-year-old son, Cruz Michael Cauchi.
Cartwright also said she and estranged husband Jax Taylor have made progress with co-parenting as they move toward finalizing their divorce.
Cartwright discussed her current routine and where things stand with Taylor during a recent appearance, and she later reflected on filming the Bravo series without him.
‘The Valley’ Star Brittany Cartwright Says Single Mom Life Feels Like a Win
During the Jan. 13 episode of “California Live,” Cartwright said she is enjoying this stage of motherhood and feels proud of the life she is building with her son.
“I feel like I’m thriving as a single mom,” Brittany said. “My son is so amazing, and I feel like … I always wanted to be a mom. He’s so cute. He is my little everything; he’s my best friend, and, you know, honestly, I just love having him with me all the time. I just love it.”
Cartwright also acknowledged that co-parenting has not been simple, but she believes things are improving.
“I take care of pretty much everything by myself, so, you know, [Jax] is doing better and a lot of things like that,” she added. “He definitely loves his son, but, you know, I just get things done.”
From ‘Vanderpump Rules’ to ‘The Valley’
Cartwright and Taylor became known to Bravo viewers through “Vanderpump Rules.” Taylor worked as a bartender at Lisa Vanderpump’s SUR in West Hollywood when he met Cartwright in Las Vegas in 2015. Cartwright later relocated to Los Angeles and joined “Vanderpump Rules” in season 4.
Their relationship played out over multiple seasons of the series, including in their spinoff, “Jax and Brittany Take Kentucky.” The pair married in June 2019, with Bravo cameras rolling, and later welcomed their son on April 12, 2021.
Cartwright and Taylor moved into a new era on “The Valley,” which premiered in March 2024 — around the same time they publicly confirmed their separation. Cartwright filed for divorce on Aug. 25, 2024, as Taylor discussed struggles involving his mental health and substance abuse.
Brittany Cartwright Still Hopes for Strong Co-Parenting Relationship
Cartwright has continued to address her co-parenting experience on “When Reality Hits,” the podcast she once shared with Taylor. On the Nov. 8 episode, she said she loved being a “full-time mom” and expressed hope that their situation would continue to improve.
“You know, I think Jax is trying to work on himself,” she said. “So I hope that, you know, we can continue to work on our co-parenting relationship and just get better and stronger all the time. And hopefully, one day, it will be a very successful co-parenting relationship, because that’s what really matters. Cruz is always going to come first.”
Filming ‘The Valley’ Without Jax Taylor: ‘Nice to Have a Break’
Taylor exited “The Valley” after season 2. In a statement shared July 15, 2025, he said he needed time to focus on sobriety, mental health, and co-parenting.
“Right now, my focus needs to be on my sobriety, my mental health, and coparenting,” Taylor said. “Taking this time is necessary for me to become the best version of myself – especially for our son, Cruz.”
Cartwright later discussed filming without Taylor while attending “The Valley” panel at BravoCon 2025. She said she was enjoying life more fully and felt like she was getting herself back.
She said she was “definitely” getting her “sparkle back,” and added, “I think it’s come back a lot.”
Cartwright also explained that filming without Taylor felt healthier for her.
“It was great to not be harassed all season long,” she said, adding that it allowed her to focus on her son. “It was a great experience.”
She also said the upcoming season is “lighter” and “a lot more fun.”
