Former 'Vanderpump Rules' stars Jax Taylor, Brittany Cartwright announce separation

Former cast members of "Vanderpump Rules" Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright are separating after nearly five years of marriage.

Cartwright announced the news Thursday on their podcast, "When Reality Hits".

"Jax and I are taking time apart and I made the decision to move into another home to take some space for the sake of my mental health," Cartwright, 35, said during the podcast episode.

"Many of you guys have been asking me about Jax and I and our relationship," she said. "I just think it's important to be real and honest with you guys because... we've shared so much of our lives with you guys."

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Cartwright would reference a previous podcast episode when she alluded to how "many marriages go through rocky times."

"Yes, marriages in general are very hard and I've had a particularly rough year this past year," Cartwright said Thursday.

Separation 'still very hard to talk about,' Cartwright says

Cartwright, who shares a 2-year-old son named Cruz with Taylor, said the situation is "still very hard to talk about."

"I'm taking one day at a time," she said. "I don't know what the future holds, but right now my focus is on being the best mom to Cruz."

Cartwright ended the podcast by asking listeners to "pray for us," and saying that "everything will be just fine" regardless of the marriage issues.

Taylor and Cartwright said their vows in June 2019 at a castle in the bride's home state of Kentucky, E! Online reported. Lance Bass officiated the wedding and "Vanderpump Rules" co-stars Stassi Schroeder, Tom Sandoval, Tom Schwartz and Lala Kent were in attendance, according to the outlet.

Cartwright, Taylor split a month before debut of new show

The split comes a month before Taylor, 44, and Cartwright's TV series "The Valley" premieres on Bravo.

The show will follow the now-separated couple and their friends as they "trade bottle service in West Hollywood for baby bottles in the Valley all while they navigate bustling businesses, rocky relationships and feisty friendships," according to Bravo's website.

Season one of "The Valley" will debut March 19 following a new episode of "Vanderpump Rules." The show will move to its regular timeslot of 9 p.m. ET on March 26 and stream the next day on Peacock, according to Bravo.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Vanderpump Rules' alums Jax Taylor, Brittany Cartwright to separate