Why Was Jax Taylor Fired From Vanderpump Rules?

The scandal involving Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss on "Vanderpump Rules" has changed the game for the reality TV show. According to Variety, just after news of the pair's affair broke, people who weren't otherwise watching the latest season tuned in. In fact, the viewership numbers doubled from the previous week's episode. But it's not just the network that the affair is helping.

Some old "Vanderpump Rules" stars have come out of the woodwork to show their support for Ariana and share their opinions on the affair. Kristen Doute, who once dated and was cheated on by Sandoval returned in the season finale to have a heart-to-heart with her now-good friend, Ariana. Jax Taylor and his wife, Brittany Cartwright, both VPR alumni, appeared on "Watch What Happens Live" to discuss the affair and have since signed on with Peacock to host a "Watch With" series. With Taylor's triumphant return to a series that once blackballed him, many are wondering why, exactly, the reality star got fired in the first place.

Back in 2020, "Vanderpump Rules" as we knew it began to change. The show was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and producers used that opportunity to shake up the cast, getting rid of some key players. First to go were original cast members Stassi Schroeder and Kristen Doute, who were let go due to racist comments against a fellow cast member named Faith Stowers. Jax Taylor had also made comments regarding Stowers via Twitter, and just as expected, a few months later, he was also given the ax.

The tweet, which referred to whether or not he thought Stowers should be on the show, said "Shes wanted by the police for grand theft auto and 'awol' from military, bad idea to be on a reality show dude. Someone's going to jail." Taylor was seemingly shocked by his firing. His now wife, Brittany Cartwright, was also not asked back — something she revealed with poise on her Instagram back in December 2020. But three years later and with a whole new villain to focus on, Taylor has come back to our screens with a vengeance.

Jax Taylor is taking the Scandoval and running with it. After appearing on "Watch What Happens Live," he has been outspoken about his opinion on the matter, leaving everyone to wonder if he may return to our screens long-term on the next season of "Vanderpump Rules." During this current season, Taylor and his wife, Brittany Cartwright, chose not to be filmed at Scheana Shay's wedding, although they attended. Of course, this was before the news of the affair broke out and now, their opinions on filming may be changing.

During a recent episode of the popular podcast "Juicy Scoop with Heather McDonald," host Heather McDonald asked Taylor the question on all our minds: will you be returning to the show? He said that if he is asked, he will consider it, but that he would first need to speak with his family and friends. "If I dive back into this, I have to make sure that it makes sense for me, my family, my friends," he told McDonald. "I had to repair a lot of friendships ... I had to repair a lot of damage ... if they thought it was a good idea, then okay." 

Fans are waiting with bated breath to see who returns to our screens next season and how the affair plays out after the fallout.