Rachel “Raquel” Leviss recently addressed the news that her former Vanderpump Rules costar Jax Taylor is seeking mental health treatment.
In a statement posted to Instagram on Wednesday, July 31, Leviss, 29, expressed her support for Taylor, 45, and his decision to seek help. “I’m saddened to hear about Jax’s mental health challenges and fully support his choice to seek treatment,” Leviss wrote. “I hope he receives the same understanding I did not, as I faced a lot of criticism when I sought help.”
Leviss also conveyed her wish that Taylor finds healing similar to her own experience and highlighted the pressing need for better mental health resources for reality TV stars.
A representative for Taylor confirmed to Us Weekly on Tuesday, July 30, that Taylor is voluntarily seeking treatment for his mental health issues. Taylor later shared that he is seeking help not only for himself but also for his 3-year-old son, Cruz, whom he shares with estranged wife Brittany Cartwright. Taylor and Cartwright, 35, have been separated since February. Taylor posted a heartfelt message on Instagram, expressing his love for his son.
Leviss and Taylor first crossed paths during season 5 of Vanderpump Rules in 2017 when Leviss appeared as a guest star. Although Taylor left the show in 2020, he has remained vocal about the drama involving his former castmates. When Leviss and Tom Sandoval’s affair was revealed last year, Taylor criticized Leviss on an April 2023 episode of Peacock’s Watch With special, accusing her of creating a facade.
After filming the Vanderpump Rules season 10 reunion, Leviss entered a mental health treatment facility amid the fallout from the scandal. Taylor later commented on this development during a May 2023 episode of Heather McDonald’s “The Juicy Scoop” podcast, expressing hope that Leviss was genuinely seeking help rather than merely using it as an excuse.
At the time, Taylor also stated that Leviss should not return to Vanderpump Rules for season 11, suggesting that the show might be too overwhelming for her. “You need to have thick skin,” Taylor said. “In my opinion, Raquel took on something larger than she was ready for and isn’t mentally equipped for it.”
After completing her treatment, Leviss chose not to return to the reality series and has shifted her focus to modeling and her podcast. Taylor returned to Bravo with the VPR spinoff The Valley, which premiered earlier this year. He has expressed a desire for Leviss to stay away from the new series, suggesting that she needs time to rediscover herself away from the spotlight.