The Valley’s Brittany Cartwright is beyond grateful to have someone to lean on as she continues to take on new challenges, especially during her career-related obstacles.
The mom of one touched on her recent exit from Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test during the Sept. 29 episode of Access Hollywood’s Housewives Nightcap podcast, and admitted that walking away on the first episode of the rigorous competition series was “really hard,” but her new man Brandon Hanson — whom she previously stated is “not technically” her boyfriend — has been “very supportive.”
“We just kind of laugh about it because I feel like almost every day, there’s something random about me in the news, or people saying something mean about me,” Brittany said. “It’s something that he is having to realize, [that] this is part of my life and my lifestyle.”
Thankfully, living in the public eye hasn’t dissuaded Brandon from lending his support. The Kentucky-raised Bravoleb doubled down, noting, “He’s extremely supportive.”
What’s more, while Brittany admitted that she didn’t do “great” on the show, she counted herself thankful for the “amazing experience.”
Details on Brittany Cartwright’s relationship with Brandon
Brittany and the single dad met long before her time on Vanderpump Rules. As she told TMZ, “We’ve known each other for 15 years … I met him back in Kentucky. Long time ago.”
However, in spite of Kristen Doute intimating otherwise, as well as Brittany and Brandon’s “breezy” outings together and romantic Mexican getaway, the two are not official … yet.
Brittany clarified their situationship in a Sept. 9 interview, stating, “Every single time somebody catches me with a new guy, he’s my boyfriend instantly — [but] I’m not in a relationship yet …I am dating, and he’s a great guy. So, we’ll see where he goes.”
Related: See How Scheana Shay Responded When Asked About Brittany Cartwright’s New Man: “All I Will Say…”
Why Brittany Cartwright quit Special Forces
Brittany disclosed the reasons behind her departure from the show, which has Bravolebs The Real Housewives of New Jersey‘s Teresa Giudice, her daughter Gia Giudice of Next Gen NYC, and The Real Housewives of Atlanta‘s Eva Marcille, still in the game. The Valley cast member cited the food, heat, and being away from her and Jax’s son, 4-year-old Cruz Michael Cauchi, as factors in her decision.
“But for me, it was [that] I had never left my son that long… You’re by yourself there,” she told Us Weekly. “So that was really difficult for me, because I’ve never ever been gone from Cruz more than two or three days on a work trip. And if it’s [longer], he travels with me. So that was definitely the longest time I’d ever been away from him. That was really hard.”
Brittany Cartwright responds to Jax Taylor’s criticism
Brittany said her short-lived appearance on the series affirmed what ex-husband Jax Taylor allegedly said before she joined: that she was “not gonna make it far,” according to People.
As Brittany explained on the recent podcast episode, “I think [at] the time of my life and dealing with all the other stuff I was going through, and him writing me those messages and everything else, it did not help me at all.”
Jax reportedly expressed interest in participating in the show, where celebs and Bravolebs endure military-style exercises in unfavorable conditions. “I would love to see him try,” Brittany said.
Related: Brittany Cartwright Shares “Amazing” Update on Son Cruz as He Tries Something “New”
Where does Brittany Cartwright stand with Jax Taylor?
The parents are still navigating their co-parenting journey, which has seen “lots of ups and downs,” Brittany told TMZ. She further explained in her chat with Extra, “It’s Jax, so always difficult … It’s always gonna be a challenge, but Cruz is the most important thing to both of us.”
Learn more about what’s going on in Brittany’s life, like the “heartbreaking” update about her family’s Kentucky farm.
