After a chaotic second season of “The Valley,” fans were left wondering if Jax Taylor’s shocking exit from the Bravo reality spinoff was truly voluntary or the result of behind-the-scenes pressure. Now, executive producer Alex Baskin is peeling back the curtain just enough to confirm what longtime gossip sleuths at “Bravo and Cocktails” have claimed for months: the audience’s reaction may have tipped the scales.
From a coffee table-flipping incident to drug addiction revelations, Taylor’s unraveling was broadcast in real time. And while he announced in July that he’d be “stepping away” from season 3 to focus on his sobriety, insiders and fans alike believe the call wasn’t entirely his to make.
‘The Valley’ Gossip Has Claimed For Months That Jax Taylor Wasn’t ‘Just Leaving’
Bravo and Cocktails has long suggested Taylor was not merely stepping down from “The Valley,” but rather being “removed” or “fired.” The speculation was that he was given the classic Bravo soft landing — announce you’re leaving, but don’t expect a callback.
Season 2 of “The Valley,” a “Vanderpump Rules” spinoff, was riddled with turmoil, with much of it centered on Taylor and estranged wife Brittany Cartwright. Things turned physical pre-filming when Taylor reportedly flipped a coffee table during an argument, bruising Cartwright’s knee. That moment snowballed into an on-air admission of cocaine use, a rehab stint, and erratic behavior that deeply divided the fanbase. According to Baskin, fan reaction mattered.
“I think in some cases the response from the audience is a good thing,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. “I think it forces someone to assess where they are and what they might need to do.”
Translation? The backlash wasn’t just noise — it was a nudge.
Executive Producer Says Audience Feedback Helped
Though Taylor claimed his decision was personal, Baskin’s comments suggest otherwise. He said that “the audience was very clear, understandably, how they felt about the situation.” Baskin noted that fans understood why Taylor’s season 2 storyline needed to air in full. But, many felt his presence on the show going forward was “inappropriate.”
“It’s hard to say whether or not he would have made that decision on his own but for the influence of the audience,” Baskin said. “But the important thing is that he got there.”
The EP also admitted that the show isn’t missing much without Taylor, pointing out that they produced half of season 2 without him.
“That period of time was really full and rich,” Baskin said. “I think it’s going to be different, but I don’t think different is a bad thing.”
Brittany Cartwright’s Growth Was the Real Star of ‘The Valley’ Season 2
While Taylor’s exit dominates headlines, Baskin emphasized that Cartwright emerged as a breakout figure in season 2. He says that she started the sophomore season as “a changed person.”
“She was really determined to take care of her son and herself… I think Brittany really sort of puts it all out there and is willing to show her imperfections and her vulnerabilities,” Baskin explained.
Amid her separation from Taylor and her son Cruz’s autism diagnosis, Cartwright managed to stay transparent with viewers and supportive of her castmates, proving her value as a standalone star.
Meanwhile, other cast members like Kristen Doute (who got engaged and welcomed her first child), Jasmine Goode, and Zack Wickham stepped up and were given more screen time, helping fill the void left by Taylor’s unraveling presence. While Taylor’s absence will surely reshape the show, Baskin seems unfazed.
“We have a really large and robust group,” he said. “It opens up more space for story to unfold. And undoubtedly, with this group, it will.”
Though Bravo hasn’t formally greenlit season 3, plans are in motion. They may start filming later than usual to give the cast breathing room after a heavy reunion cycle. Whether or not Taylor ever returns remains a mystery. But for now, the show is moving on without him.
Seasons 1 and 2 of “The Valley” are streaming on Peacock.
