Reality Star Parents Navigate Autism Diagnosis for Their Son Cruz
Another day, another reminder that the reality TV landscape is less a glamorous escape and more a pit of existential dread. Enter Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright, former stars of “Vanderpump Rules,” who have reluctantly turned their attention from the glitz and glam of Bravo to the sobering realities of parenting a child diagnosed with autism. Their son, Cruz Michael Cauchi, was born on April 12, 2021, a time when Taylor and Cartwright were still basking in the glow of marital bliss, or at least the fleeting illusion of it. Fast forward to 2025, and they’re announcing Cruz’s autism diagnosis alongside their own separation and impending divorce. Of course, this is exactly how the script would unfold in a world where reality television spills over into real life, leaving chaos in its wake.
The timeline reads like a tragicomedy: married in June 2019, announcing pregnancy in September 2020, and then, just a few years later, they’re navigating custody arrangements and Taylor’s public struggles with drug addiction. Taylor, who has been open about his cocaine addiction since the age of 23, claims that Cruz has been his motivation for sobriety—because, naturally, nothing says “I’m winning at life” like using your child as a reason to stay clean. In a podcast appearance, he expresses pride in fatherhood, posting heartfelt photos with Cruz, as if capturing the perfect Instagram moment can mask the reality of their fractured family dynamic.
As for Cartwright, she seems determined to turn the chaos into a heartfelt narrative, stating that Cruz’s autism diagnosis has deeply bonded them. This, of course, is the optimistic spin we rarely see in the darker corners of reality TV—perhaps a subconscious plea for sympathy in a world that often revels in their misfortune. Cartwright has turned their home into a sensory oasis for Cruz, who has regressed in speech and is largely nonverbal. She’s doing all the right things: therapy, support, and loving dedication. But let’s not kid ourselves; a sensory room won’t magically erase the reality of a world that often doesn’t understand the complexities of autism.
With her ex-husband’s tumultuous past and their broken relationship, the future for Cruz looks about as stable as a house of cards in a windstorm. And while both parents may project a united front in their social media posts, the cracks are clearly showing. Taylor’s admission that he’s never heard Cruz say “I love you” is a heartbreaking reminder of the unpredictable nature of life—something that would be a punchline in a tragic sitcom.
So here we are, observing the latest episode in this reality show of life, where the stakes are high, and the outcomes are often less than desirable. At this point, should we be shocked at this latest turn of events? It feels more like a scripted plot twist that’s trying too hard to elicit sympathy. Bookmark this for the inevitable “I told you so” moment.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, E! News
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
