Why Jax Taylor's Remark About His Vanderpump Rules Exit Is Turning Heads

Vanderpump Rules fans have been waiting with bated breath to find out if the show will return to Bravo for a ninth season. The reality show, which follows a group of waiters and bartenders who occasionally work at Lisa Vanderpump's West Hollywood bar SUR went on hiatus in 2020 when COVID-19 made filming in a restaurant impossible. Producers also made some serious changes to the cast as soon as Season 8 wrapped.

Longtime cast members Kristin Doute and Stassi Schroeder were fired over allegations of racism made by former castmate Faith Stowers. Series newcomers Max Boyens and Brett Caprioni were also fired when their past racist and homophobic tweets resurfaced.

As if that wasn't enough of a shake-up, Jax Taylor announced he would not be returning for another season in December 2020. The bartender-turned model-turned reality star played off the situation as if it was his decision to part ways with the network, but fans were suspicious. After all, Jax proved himself to be just as problematic as his fired former castmates over the years.

For a while, Jax maintained that he opted to leave, but he changed his story in April 2021. Here's what we know.

Months after leaving Vanderpump Rules, Jax Taylor finally opened up about how it felt to be let go from the show after eight seasons. In a since-deleted Instagram Live, Jax answered fan questions about the circumstances surrounding his departure. "People ask me, 'Are you gonna miss the show?'" he said while sitting in his car. "I'm gonna miss the paycheck."

Jax added that the show didn't seem like a fit anymore, given the changes in his life. "Like I said, the show ... it's not meant for a guy that's having kids and starting a life." The biggest bombshell came in the form of Jax's apparent admission that he never planned to leave the show at all. Jax seemed to confirm that he was let go from the series. "The show made a good decision," he said about his departure. 

He continued, "You know I stand with them 100%. You know, like I said, I love everybody that was on [the show]. I had a great run. Not too many guys can last nine years on a reality show." The soon-to-be dad went on to add that, in retrospect, it felt like the right move because he stopped "being fun," revealing, "I'm not interested in that lifestyle anymore."

What about his friends who are still part of the cast? Jax plans to support them by tuning in whenever the ninth season airs," noting, "I said I'm glad to be a fan and glad to watch."