Why isn‘t Jax Taylor in Vanderpump Rules Season 9?

Jax Taylor does not appear in season 9 of Vanderpump Rules because he and his wife Brittany Cartwright voluntarily left the show in December 2020. After 8 drama-filled seasons, Jax decided to step back from the franchise that made him famous to focus on his family and avoid potential firing.

Background on Jax‘s Exit From Vanderpump Rules

Jax was one of the original cast members of Vanderpump Rules when it premiered in 2013. He quickly became the show‘s breakout star and leading source of chaos. However, after multiple cheating scandals, arrests, and controversial behavior, Jax had cemented a reputation as the problematic bad boy of Bravo.

Fans had speculated for years that Jax would eventually get fired from Vanderpump Rules. In June 2020, Bravo terminated longtime cast members Stassi Schroeder and Kristen Doute for a racist incident against former co-star Faith Stowers. This increased rumors that Jax could be next to get axed due to his own pattern of offensive behavior and comments.

Rather than wait for Bravo to potentially cut ties, Jax and Brittany decided to announce their departure themselves in December 2020. At the time, Jax told People Magazine, "We are excited to take this time to focus on our growing family and share with you our new endeavors." Their exit came shortly after welcoming their first child together in April 2021.

Why Did Jax and Brittany Leave Vanderpump Rules?

According to Jax and Brittany, they left Vanderpump Rules to devote time to parenting their new baby Cruz. However, there were likely several other contributing factors in their voluntary exit:

• Show was too scripted – Jax complained in interviews that Vanderpump Rules had shifted away from an authentic docuseries into overly produced reality TV drama. He said interactions felt orchestrated by producers rather than organic.

• Didn‘t align with their lifestyle – Brittany said the vibe of Vanderpump Rules no longer fit with where they were in life as settled-down new parents.

• Avoid potential firing by Bravo – Given past racist and homophobic comments made by Jax, many speculated he left the show preemptively before Bravo cut ties.

• Less relevant to younger cast – With newer cast members joining, Jax and Brittany may have felt like odd men out next to the younger Survers.

• Change of pace – After 8 seasons of constant drama and confrontations, they may have simply wanted to move on from the reality TV lifestyle.

What Are Jax and Brittany Doing After Leaving Vanderpump Rules?

Jax and Brittany have seemingly adjusted well to post-reality TV life since leaving Vanderpump Rules in 2020:

• Launched "The Good, The Bad, and The Baby" podcast – They started a podcast focused on their journey as new parents. It allows them to give fans updates without needing Bravo cameras.

• Ramped up sponsored social media posts – Both Jax and Brittany regularly promote products and partnerships on their Instagram accounts, which have over 1 million followers combined.

• Gave interviews about exiting show – They‘ve opened up in various interviews about their decision to leave, future plans, and life after Vanderpump Rules.

• Purchased home in Florida – After selling their $2 million house in California, Jax and Brittany bought a new home in Florida to raise their son Cruz.

• Made appearances at Vanderpump Vegas – They‘ve helped promote former co-star Lisa Vanderpump‘s new Vanderpump Cocktail Garden venue in Las Vegas.

• Possible return to Vanderpump Rules – There are rumors Jax and Brittany may return to the franchise at some point, whether on Vanderpump Rules or a spinoff show.

How Vanderpump Rules Season 9 Was Different Without Jax

Vanderpump Rules Season 9 aired from fall 2021 to early 2022 without original cast members Jax and Brittany. Their absence resulted in some clear changes:

• More screen time for Tom Sandoval, Tom Schwartz, and Katie Maloney – With Jax gone, the TomTom co-owners and Katie took over as the primary focal points. Fans got an inside look at Tom and Katie‘s marital problems and eventual divorce.

• Drama from Lala Kent‘s breakup – Lala‘s messy split from ex-fiancé Randall Emmett became a huge story arc in season 9. Her tense dynamic with castmates added more conflict.

• Old vs. new cast feuds – Long-running stars butted heads with newer additions like Charli Burnett over issues of loyalty and respect.

• Return of familiar faces – Both Scheana Shay and Lala Kent rejoined the primary cast after being showcased less in recent seasons.

• Addition of new cast members – Several new Sur servers were brought on as supporting players, though few stood out right away.

• Lower ratings – Viewership was down 15-20% without Jax. Season 9 averaged around 0.7 million live viewers per episode compared to 0.9 million in season 8 when Jax last appeared.

While Vanderpump Rules attempted to reinvent itself in season 9, the show undeniably felt Jax‘s absence, especially when it came to dramatic moments and confrontations. However, it also allowed spotlight for veteran cast members to shine.

The Future: Will Jax Return to Vanderpump Rules?

Many Vanderpump Rules fans are hoping Jax will make a triumphant return in future seasons despite his unceremonious exit. Some possible ways he could rejoin the reality series:

• Appear as a guest or friend role – Jax could return for a limited number of episodes, similar to what Brandi Glanville has done on Real Housewives.

• Cameo in special episodes – He may pop up on a "where are they now" type catch-up episode to give viewers an update on his life.

• Brittany remains on the show – Even if Jax stays retired from reality TV, Brittany could theoretically rejoin the cast herself at some point.

• Feature on a Vanderpump Rules spinoff– Jax and Brittany got their own Kentucky-based spinoff previously, so Bravo could greenlight another offshoot starring the couple.

• Get re-hired when show needs a refresh – After taking some seasons off, Bravo may decide to bring back Jax to spice things up when ratings decline.

Given how intrinsically linked Jax is with Vanderpump Rules, it‘s hard to imagine he will stay gone from the franchise forever. Reality TV bad boys have a way of creeping back in. But for now, fans will have to see how the show adapts long-term without his antagonistic energy.