Accountability in Reality TV: Faith Stowers Calls for Jax Taylor to Face Consequences on ‘Vanderpump Rules’

Faith Stowers, a former cast member of Bravo’s hit reality series Vanderpump Rules, has offered a compelling perspective on the ongoing discussions surrounding accountability and consequences within the show’s cast. Following the high-profile firings of long-time stars Stassi Schroeder and Kristen Doute due to accusations of past racist actions, a crucial question arose among fans and fellow reality personalities: why wasn’t Jax Taylor also held to the same standard? In an exclusive interview with HollywoodLife, Faith Stowers meticulously outlined her reasons for believing that Taylor, too, should face scrutiny for his past behaviors and statements.

Stowers clarified her stance, emphasizing that her comments were not about labeling individuals as “racist” but rather about consistent application of network policies. “I never said Jax was racist,” Faith explained. “I never said Kristen or Stassi were racist. [But] Bravo fired Kristen due to tweets and Jax has similar tweets, as well, saying that I am wanted for car theft. He was standing behind the same narrative. I’m saying…if they are letting go the girls, then he should be held accountable, as well. It’s up to Bravo to decide what the accountability looks like.” This statement underscores a central theme: the expectation of equitable treatment for all cast members when problematic conduct is identified, regardless of their perceived popularity or tenure on the show. The notion of accountability, in Faith’s view, extends beyond mere apologies to tangible consequences that reflect the seriousness of the actions in question.

The “car thief” tweet that Faith referenced dates back to 2017 and is a particularly egregious example of public defamation. At the time, Jax Taylor falsely alleged on social media, “She’s wanted by the police for grand theft auto and “awol” from military. Bad idea to be on a reality show, dude. Someone’s going to jail.” Such a public accusation, baseless as it was, had significant potential to harm Faith Stowers’ reputation, career, and personal well-being. It propagated a false narrative that could have led to serious legal repercussions or public harassment. For a prominent public figure like Taylor to disseminate such harmful misinformation about a former colleague highlights a concerning lack of judgment and disregard for the truth. This incident, among others, fueled the broader conversation about the type of behavior deemed acceptable on reality television and the responsibility that comes with a public platform.

Jax Taylor’s past conduct has been scrutinized on multiple fronts. Beyond the false accusations against Faith Stowers, 90 Day Fiance star Ashley Smith also publicly accused Taylor of making racist remarks directed at her husband, Jay Smith. Following Stassi and Kristen’s firings, Ashley shared a screenshot on Instagram of Jax’s derogatory comments on one of her posts, which read, “Your man’s nose is the size of his head…” Accompanying the screenshot, Ashley wrote, “Hey who remembers when Jax Taylor was racist towards my husband making fun of his big nose?!?! Come on @bravotv take them all out if this is what you’re doing.” This comment, while seemingly superficial, carries racial undertones and perpetuates harmful stereotypes, especially when directed at individuals from minority backgrounds. The call for Bravo to take action in this instance echoed the sentiment that discriminatory remarks, whether overt or subtle, should not be tolerated. The cumulative nature of these allegations, from various individuals and spanning several years, paints a pattern of concerning behavior that many viewers and public figures believed warranted a comprehensive review by the network.

Adding another layer to the allegations against Jax Taylor, former Vanderpump Rules star Billie Lee also came forward with her own experience. Lee, who is transgender, alleged that Taylor refused to film with her during her time on the show specifically because of her gender identity. This accusation points to a serious issue of discrimination and transphobia within the workplace, highlighting the importance of creating inclusive environments, especially in high-visibility entertainment industries. If true, Taylor’s alleged refusal to work with a colleague based on their identity is a blatant violation of professional conduct and a deeply harmful act that undermines efforts towards diversity and acceptance. The gravity of such a claim, alongside the accusations from Faith Stowers and Ashley Smith, intensified the pressure on Bravo to address Taylor’s continued presence on the show and apply a consistent standard of conduct across its talent roster. The public and many within the reality television community began to question how long such behaviors could be overlooked before consequences were enforced.

Shes wanted by the police for grand theft auto and “awol” from military, bad idea to be on a reality show dude. Someone’s going to jail https://t.co/s30K35r2xA

— Jax (@mrjaxtaylor) December 5, 2017

Despite her strong call for accountability, Faith Stowers also expressed a nuanced and thoughtful perspective on whether termination is always the optimal solution. “I don’t know if [Jax] should be fired,” she explained during the interview. “I’m not sure what should happen to them. I don’t like to put that on people. I didn’t even say that Kristen and Stassi should be fired. I think certain things need to happen in order for change to happen. Sometimes, it’s going to be uncomfortable changes. People are not going to like it, but sometimes those things need to happen in order for growth.” This insight from Stowers reveals a deeper understanding of the complexities involved, suggesting that while consequences are necessary, the ultimate goal should be genuine change and personal growth, rather than simply punitive action. Her focus on “uncomfortable changes” implies that true accountability might involve more than just losing a job; it could necessitate education, reflection, and a demonstrated shift in behavior and perspective. This stance adds layers to the conversation, moving beyond a simple “cancel culture” narrative to one that seeks meaningful, long-term transformation.

Faith further acknowledged the intricate role Jax Taylor has played on Vanderpump Rules, recognizing his impact on the show’s entertainment value. She admitted that Jax has always been “entertaining” because he’s not afraid to bring the drama and stir the pot, a trait often sought after in reality television. However, she quickly balanced this observation with a critical assessment: “he’s been known to say some pretty rude and mean things. It’s sad to see that. We can’t afford to have that in America. We can’t afford to have that anywhere. I don’t think that Jax should be on that platform, but that’s not my call. I don’t wish bad things upon anybody, but I do wish changes for them.” This highlights the challenge faced by networks and producers: balancing the entertainment factor of controversial personalities with the ethical responsibility to promote positive values and not normalize harmful behavior. Stowers’ wish for “changes” over “bad things” for Taylor reflects a desire for personal evolution and a healthier public discourse, emphasizing that public platforms should not be used to perpetuate meanness or division. HollywoodLife reached out to Jax’s representatives for comment, indicating the ongoing nature of this discussion.

The catalyst for Stassi and Kristen’s firings from Vanderpump Rules was Faith Stowers’ courageous decision to speak out about her experiences as the only Black cast member on the show. During a pivotal interview, she recounted a deeply disturbing incident where she felt victimized by Stassi and Kristen. “There was this article on Daily Mail where there was an African American lady,” Faith alleged. “It was a weird photo, so she looked very light-skinned and had these different, weird tattoos. They showcased her, and I guess this woman was robbing people. And [Stassi and Kristen] called the cops and said it was me. This is like, a true story. I heard this from Stassi during an interview.” The gravity of this action—falsely reporting a crime to the police based on a racialized misidentification—is immense. It exposed a severe lack of judgment and a potentially dangerous disregard for Faith’s safety and well-being, highlighting the systemic issues faced by Black individuals who are often unjustly targeted. This incident, combined with the context of broader conversations about racial injustice, amplified public outrage and intensified the demand for accountability from the network.

Following Faith’s accusations, both Stassi Schroeder and Kristen Doute issued lengthy apologies on their respective Instagram pages. However, for many, the damage was already done, and the apologies were perceived as too little, too late. On June 9, Bravo officially announced its decision to cut ties with both ladies, along with fellow cast members Max Boyens and Brett Caprioni, whose past controversial tweets resurfaced amidst the heightened scrutiny. In a definitive statement, the network confirmed, “Bravo and Evolution Media confirmed today that Stassi Schroeder, Kristen Doute, Max Boyens and Brett Caprioni will not be returning to Vanderpump Rules.” This unprecedented wave of firings sent a clear message across the reality television landscape: past problematic behavior, especially involving racism or discrimination, would no longer be tolerated, and networks were prepared to take decisive action in response to public demand for social justice. This moment marked a significant turning point for Vanderpump Rules and the broader entertainment industry, signaling a shift towards greater accountability and a re-evaluation of who is deemed fit for public platforms.