Reflecting on Jax Taylor and Kristen Doute’s Friendship

The Valley
Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for James Mae

Both Vanderpump Rules alums, Jax Taylor and Kristen Doute, started as OGs when they premiered during Season 1. Their relationship was a bit confusing since friends don’t usually sleep around behind other friends’ backs, but their slimy BFF vibe worked for them. 

Toxic Friendship

There is nothing like a toxic friendship to keep people on their toes. But usually friends figure out that their partner in crime is just a dud and move along. However, Kristen and Jax leaned into the toxicity and gave me Duke Nukem villain vibes from Captain Planet (If you grew up in the 90s, you know). These two had no love lost between them, with Kristen going crazy on him during a social media fight back in 2014.

The former model has called the Jax’s Studio City owner every name under the sun, including “a disgusting excuse for a human being,” selfish, sociopath, and a “coke head.” But somehow, with these two, their fallouts only seem to make them stronger. The duo have been friends for 15 years, with fans learning via Peter Madrigal and the series premiere that “SUR is a bit of a merry-go-round when it comes to relationships …Jax used to live with Tom Sandoval, who is now dating Kristen, who is best friends with Stassi Schroeder … who is dating Jax … yeah, it’s a little crazy.” Yet the crazy kind of works for them. 

Both Like Lying

The major argument for their devilish friendship is how both can easily lie if it means they don’t have to face the consequences. Season 2 of Vanderpump Rules showed Jax and Kristen’s friendship morph into some circus attraction that includes them sneaking behind their partner’s backs. Both were in other relationships but still wanted some fun, so they made a pact to keep the shameful secret between themselves.

At least we know that Kristen will stick to their diabolical plan since, for months, she denied that anything was happening between them. Her goal in lying was to save her close friendship with Stassi, while Jax was just happy not to get into trouble. Kristen held strong to the lie, telling everyone they were disgusting for even thinking she would do that. She swore she didn’t sleep with Jax, even at one point throwing her lover under the bus, stating, “I’m starting to think Jax is sociopathic lying to everyone.” Eventually, Jax admitted to having sex on Sandoval’s couch while watching Drive. And Kristen got slapped by Stassi. 

Rumorville

Jax always loved to cause trouble within his friendships and couldn’t help himself when he decided to start a rumor that Kristen had hooked up with Brittany Cartwright. Even though it might have been his wet dream, nothing could have been further from the truth.

After the end of Season 6, Jax and Kristen found themselves in a major feud. While on the cast trip to Mexico, Jax once again proved to be dirty, insinuating that Kristen had cheated on her then-boyfriend. There was also the time Jax blocked and unblocked Kristen in the blink of an eye, but fans never knew what went on there. Jax could never help himself since he seemed to thrive in the chaos, but the two eventually got back on track.

How Does Stassi Fit In

Even though they once referred to themselves as the witches of WeHo, Stassi, and Kristen are no longer cackling over a cauldron. As recently as this year Stassi told Jeff Lewis‘ podcast that, “I’m not close with Kristen. We text every now and then, but that’s kind of it.” But let’s be honest: Kristen was never Stassi’s greatest friend. The theory was proven back in Season 1 after Jax cheated and got a girl pregnant while in Las Vegas. No one seemed to care about Stassi’s feelings. 

Jax was a terrible boyfriend. We all knew it, yet Stassi tried her best to make it work. But after Stassi started dating Beau Clark they bonded again over kids. But it all fell apart when Jax and Britt decided not to show up to Stassi and Beau’s Italian wedding. Fans learned that Stassi had felt lied to and realized that the couple were not her true friends. Stassi and Jax no longer follow one another on social media and the couples have not spoken since. 

Just like two peas in a pod, Jax and Kristen are looking forward to sharing their grown-up life on The Valley, but I have a feeling we will see the same 20-something-year-olds we saw on Vanderpump Rules all those years ago. 

TELL US –  DO YOU THINK THEIR FRIENDSHIP WILL STAND THE TEST OF TIME?

X