10 Things You Didn’t Know About Vanderpump Rules Star Jax Taylor
Published on April 11, 2016. Updated February 23, 2018Jax Taylor seems to relish his role as the villain on Vanderpump Roles, but there’s a lot more to him than that. On the show, we get only one side of him – mainly his booze-loving, womanizing side. We’ve decided to try and find the real Jax, so here are 10 things you probably didn’t know about the party-loving reality star:
10. Fear and Loathing in L.A.
He was in the process of leaving SUR and L.A. behind when he was recruited for Vanderpump Rules. He wanted to move to Florida (where his parents relocated) to become a firefighter, but Lisa Vanderpump persuaded him to stay in L.A. by claiming that something big was going to happen that could change his life. And change his life is what the show did!
Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com9. Famous Fans
Jennifer Lawrence is one of Jax’s biggest fans. They appeared alongside each other on Watch What Happens Live. “She was like, ‘I’m obsessed with you,’” he told Complex. “She wanted to know everything about me, she had opinions on everything. And I’m, like, sh-tting myself because she’s Jennifer Lawrence, she’s the biggest actress on the planet.” Robert De Niro’s wife is also a fan. At an industry party, she asked for a picture with Jax. Another time, he and Lisa Vanderpump had dinner with Lady Gaga, who is also a huge fan of the show.
8. Humble Beginnings
He’s from Detroit, Michigan. He had a really conventional childhood. He was raised in the suburbs and had a very strict, conservative upbringing and went by the name Jason. He was too wild and rebellious for that kind of life. He didn’t like direction and was more interested in having a good time.
7. Navy Boy
After dropping out of Michigan State and a community college, the soon to be reality TV star joined the navy. He was trained at a base in Virginia and then was stationed in Kosovo. He doesn’t say much about the experience except that it happened.
6. Modeling Career
When he left the army and went back home to live with his parents in Michigan, he was approached in a K-Mart about modeling in coupon catalogues. Although he wasn’t interested at first (he didn’t want to have to wear makeup), he ended up doing it anyway and made $600. Someone higher up saw the pictures and it became a job. He moved to Chicago and started booking gigs for Target, Kohl’s and Old Navy. Before he knew it, he was flying to Milan, Paris Australia, Miami and then L.A.
5. Jason Becomes Jax
The handsome brunette changed his name to Jax when he moved to L.A. for his modeling career. According to him, there were already so many Jasons and so few Jaxes.
4. A Total Professional
He is a consummate professional. He gave Vanderpump Rules’ producers a key to his apartment. When he hears his door unlock, he doesn’t hesitate to get mic’d and gets right to work without any complaints.
Evans Vestal Ward/©Bravo/courtesy Everett Collection3. Financially Set
The reality TV star isn’t hurting financially. He bought his dad a sports car. “I wanted him to have it,” he told Complex. “Plus it was nice to be like, look, I can buy this thing it’s not even an issue.” If he’s smart about it and lives reasonably, he’ll be set for the rest of his life.
2. Settling Down
At this point in his life, he really wants to settle down and have a family. He doesn’t care about the fame game and knows that it won’t last. He toys with the idea of moving away and writing a book about all the crazy stuff he’s lived through.
1. An Enduring Friendship
Jax has known Tom Sandoval for years. They met back when they used to model together. Despite their ups and downs, Jax still considers Tom his best friend.