Former Vanderpump Rules star Jax Taylor is embracing fatherhood with pride and devotion following his 3-year-old son Cruz’s autism diagnosis. The 45-year-old took to Instagram to share a touching tribute just hours after his ex-wife, Brittany Cartwright, opened up about their son’s condition in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE.
The Instagram post featured a carousel of tender moments between father and son, including playful backyard snapshots of Jax tickling a laughing Cruz and the pair sharing a warm embrace while dressed in matching outfits.
“My precious beautiful boy,” Jax captioned the post. “I’m so proud to be your father and even though we may face challenges along the way, I’ll always be your biggest supporter and cheerleader and make sure that you and other families on similar journeys affected by autism know that the sky is the limit—even though life may look a little different.”
Brittany, 36, had earlier shared details about Cruz’s developmental journey, explaining that while he initially hit milestones like crawling, walking, and speaking early, they noticed a regression in his speech around age two.
“He stopped talking almost completely,” she informed. Now, as Cruz approaches his fourth birthday on April 12, he remains mostly nonverbal. Despite the challenges, Brittany remains optimistic about his future.
“He sees the world so much more vibrant and amazing than any of us ever will,” she said. “It doesn’t mean he’s not going to be the smartest in his class. It doesn’t mean he’s not going to work for NASA one day. There aren’t any limitations to what he can do.”
This isn’t the first time Jax has publicly expressed his love for his son. In a December Instagram post, he called Cruz his “biggest accomplishment” and wrote, “Nothing in life makes me happier and [makes me] want to be a better person for you.”
However, the co-parenting journey hasn’t been without its struggles. In March, Brittany revealed that Jax’s past substance abuse issues had caused “irreparable damage” to their family. Despite their personal challenges, both parents continue to show unwavering support for Cruz, emphasizing their shared commitment to his happiness and well-being.
Fans have rallied around the family, praising their honesty and dedication to raising awareness about autism. As Jax and Brittany navigate this new chapter, their love for Cruz remains the center of their story.
