The Valley star Brittany Cartwright was caught off-guard by the recently surfaced photos of estranged husband Jax Taylor cozying up to their once-shared publicist, Lori Krebs, but according to an insider, she questioned for years whether there was more than a professional relationship and friendship between the two.
“Brittany had her suspicions for years but always trusted that Lori had her best interest at heart and believed she wouldn’t do such a thing,” a source exclusively tells Us Weekly of Brittany, 37. “There were rumors about them for years and Brittany always brushed them off. She always had Lori’s back and trusted her. They were very good friends and did not have a typical professional relationship.”
Us exclusively confirmed earlier this month that Lori was recently spotted with Jax, 47, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, to celebrate his birthday. An eyewitness claimed that the duo packed on the PDA at the Hotel Mousai pool one day and told individuals that they were both “happily divorced.”
Jax was married to Brittany for five years before they separated in 2024. As of April, their divorce had yet to be finalized as they were working toward amicably coparenting 5-year-old son Cruz.
As for Jax’s outing with Lori, the insider tells Us that Brittany felt “extremely betrayed” over the surprise romance and PDA pictures.
“It’s very upsetting to her and she is sick to her stomach over it,” the insider adds of the Bravolebrity. “She is shocked that photos surfaced and that they are out in public. Lori was with Brittany through dark days.”
Per the source, Brittany felt “weird” that Lori knew “so much information” about the reality TV star and still “went behind her back” to pursue Jax. Brittany has since professionally cut ties with the publicist.
“Brittany has known it’s been a conflict of interest that Lori was representing both of them, but Lori was a good friend to her,” the source says. “She’s been wanting to part ways but it was hard for her to cut ties before the pics surfaced.”
Jax and Lori, meanwhile, began dating after their respective breakups. (Lori never publicly identified her then-husband.)
“Jax and Lori’s relationship developed over the past several months after they grew closer while supporting one another through some of the most difficult periods of their lives,” a second source tells Us. “What began as a longstanding friendship gradually evolved into a relationship. There was never a romantic relationship before that, despite years of speculation.”
The second insider further notes that Lori’s friendship with Brittany had “changed significantly” in the last several years after a once-close bond.
“Lori’s support for Brittany during difficult periods of her life was genuine,” the second source tells Us. “Lori recognizes the pain this has caused Brittany.”
Neither Brittany, Jax nor Lori have publicly addressed their dynamic. Us Weekly has reached out for comment.
