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Jax Taylor was noticeably absent from what was supposed to be a joint appearance with James Kennedy on Tuesday night at SUR. And on Wednesday on Twitter, he explained why.
As he shared what led to the no-show on his social media account, the former Vanderpump Rules cast member took aim at Lisa Vanderpump on a podcast, suggesting that the SUR owner and longtime star “brings nothing” to the series and denying he should be grateful that Lisa put him on the show.
“What’s the point of Lisa on the show anymore?” host Claudia Oshry asked Jax on the June 9 episode on The Toast, via Heavy.
“I think she’s a prop at this point,” Jax candidly replied. “I don’t mean that in a negative way, but let’s be honest, it wouldn’t change the difference if she wasn’t there. She’s not bringing anything to the show anymore.”
While Lisa was initially “very involved” with the cast, Jax pointed out that the group is “a lot older” now and no longer works at the restaurant where the series was once based. He then admitted that Pump Rules “is her show” before noting that Lisa’s presence wasn’t needed at the latest reunion.
“She brought the show, but I really don’t see a reason for her to be at the reunion. I really don’t. I mean, just to sit next to Andy … or do they just smirk back and forth. ‘How’s your restaurant doing?’ Like I don’t really know if she really needs to be there,” he stated. “[And] everybody seems to be afraid of her… For what? Well, you own a restaurant. You’re a woman who owns restaurants in West Hollywood.”
Although many have said Jax should be “grateful” that Lisa cast him for the show, he shot down the idea, stating that while the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum may have gotten him an audition, he was the one who kept his role going.
“She doesn’t own the show. She is a producer,” he said. “So it’s really upsetting when people are like ‘You should be so grateful she could let you go.’ No, that’s not how it works. She got us the audition, or she got us, you know, the sizzle reel, whatever. She got us in the door. We have to make it work.”
According to Jax, Lisa’s role on the show is “showing up once every six episodes to hand out fake paychecks. “
“And then watching the reunion, her chiming in, she’s not even there,” he continued. “These are adults. When we were younger and we were 20 years old, yes. It made a little more sense because she was kind of a mother figure, and she was the boss.”
Despite Jax’s harsh statements, he said his relationship with Lisa is currently fine.
“I saw her at TomTom about two months ago,” he said. “She’s like, ‘Hey, how, how are you? How this?’ I just think she’s, I don’t want to say too many negative things about Lisa.”
Jax then addressed the possibility of him and Brittany Cartwright returning to Pump Rules.
“We have been talking,” he confirmed. “We’re trying to figure it out, what makes sense for my family… [We’re] absolutely excited about the thought of going back, but… have to weigh it out and see if it makes sense.”
As for his missed appearance at SUR, the news was shared by Bravo and Cocktails on Instagram.
“James got on the mic and announced Jax had a family emergency and wouldn’t be coming,” a fan wrote to the fan page on June 14.
And on Twitter, after a fan wrote to Jax, saying she hoped “all [was] ok with [him and his] family,” Jax confirmed that something occurred with his family.
“Unfortunately we had a small family emergency but everything is okay,” he replied. “I’ll make it up to you guys on the next one I am sorry… it’s been a long 24 hours.. but everyone is doing great. Love you guys.”
Vanderpump Rules season 11 is expected to go into production later this month.