See Jax Taylor's Throwback Photos, From Childhood Hockey Games to Modeling Gigs
Look back at this The Valley and Vanderpump Rules cast member before he was the number-one guy in the group.
What hasn't Jax Taylor done in his life?
The Vanderpump Rules alum and cast member on The Valley has been in the Navy, worked as a part time model, shook things up as a bartender at SUR, married wife, Brittany Cartwright, became a father to his son, Cruz, and opened his own restaurant, Jax's Studio City.
While Jax has a million tales about his life, some people might be unfamiliar with who he was before first appearing on Season 1 of Vanderpump Rules in 2013. These photos — from a time before Jax's life was documented for cameras and enthusiastic viewers — show a different side to the former bartender.
Take a look at Jax's throwback snaps and learn more about him from before his time on either Vanderpump Rules or The Valley.
Jax Taylor in a Stroller
Jax Taylor was born on July 11, 1979 in suburban Michigan. Even as a baby, he was super adorable.
Jax Taylor on a Blanket
Can we get a round of applause for how absolutely cute Jax looks in this photo? Because he seems to be doing that for himself in this undated photo from his childhood.
Jax Taylor in the Snow
Although he now resides in California, Jax grew up in a snowy climate. That could be why he has been so obsessed with wearing his iconic chunky sweaters in past seasons of Vanderpump Rules.
RELATED: The History of Jax Taylor and Chunky Sweaters
You know what they say: You can take the boy out of the Midwest, but you can't take the Midwest out of the boy.
Jax Taylor with a Bowl Cut
This little boy is just full of sunshine. This photo shows Jax as a little kid, staring into the camera, with a toothy smile on his face.
Jax Taylor in a Spider-Man Sweatshirt
Even as a toddler, Jax had a thing for transportation.
Although in later seasons of Vanderpump Rules, Jax would come to own a motorized cooler on wheels, he was showing from a young age that he had a need for speed.
Jax Taylor Sitting in a Tree
Jax wasn't always Jax Taylor. He was born Jason Cauchi to his parents, Ronald and Marie Cauchi, but adopted the name "Jax Taylor" during his early years as a model in Miami in 1999, he told Rolling Stone in May 2023.
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"Clients couldn't really pronounce my last name, because it's Maltese and pronounced Cow-chi," he said. "I was dating a girl at the time, and she said, 'Why don't you just leave the S out of your first name and use your mom's maiden name?' And it just stuck, to be honest."
Jax Taylor Missing His Front Teeth
Jax aways had a winning smile, but it's also one of the aspects of himself that he permanently fixed.
Jax has always been open about the cosmetic procedures that he has had gotten over the years, including the fact that he got veneers in August 2023. "We're in the business of entertainment and again, I want to stay as young as I can for my kid and look decent," he told People.
"So I was like, 'You know what, why not? Let's do it,'" he said. "My teeth weren't the strongest anyway and I had silver fillings and all that."
Jax Taylor with a Fish
Hobbies, like fishing, have kept Jax busy.
In a 2017 Instagram tribute to his dad who passed away after a battle with cancer, Jax revealed that he and his dad would go fishing together when Jax would visit Tampa, Florida.
Jax Taylor Played Hockey
In that same 2017 Instagram tribute to his dad, Jax also revealed that his dad loved hockey and that so many of his childhood memories with his father are attached to the sport.
"I'll never forget 5 a.m. hockey practices to Windsor, Canada, on the weekends, the numerous hockey tournaments, and the little talks we had if I had a bad game," he wrote. "He was always there for every practice and every game."
Jax Taylor Played Soccer
Although Jax might be known for his career in front of the camera, once upon a time, he played sports. And, he remains a huge sports fan, rooting for any and all of the teams based in Detroit.
RELATED: Jax Taylor Opens Up About His Plans to Expand His Family and Shares a Big Career Update
In fact, Jax is also such a big sports fan that his latest venture is a sports bar with Brittany— Jax's Studio City. You can order cocktails with names like The Brittany and even try out the famous Mamaw's beer cheese on the menu.
Jax Taylor with Birthday Balloons
Jax has had a number of birthday parties documented on VPR over the years, including the time that he had a joint 1970s themed bash with Tom Sandoval (whose birthday is four days before Jax's), and the time in 2017 when he wore a male romper to celebrate his birthday at Hooter's (where he eats for free to this day, according to Rolling Stone).
RELATED: Jax Taylor Celebrated His Birthday in a Romper At His Own Personal Mecca, Hooters
Although nothing could compare to those birthdays, this one pictured in this photo looks pretty good, too.
Jax Taylor in a White Suit
As previously stated, Jax has had a passion for fashion, not just including his love of chunky sweaters. He has proven time and time again that he can rock a good suit, too.
Jax Taylor with Santa
While Jax has been on the naughty list in the past, he's turned a new page in his story and his behavior.
"I regret a lot of things I've done and said in life," Jax told Rolling Stone in May 2023. "I think we've moved past this."
Jax Taylor Shirtless and Flexing
Even from a young age, Jax was obsessed with flexing his muscles, even if he had fewer than he does in present day.
During Vanderpump Rules Season 8, Jax shared that going to the gym was very helpful for him in controlling negative emotions.
"The only thing I can do right now to keep myself from going crazy is going to the gym," he said. "It's my therapy. I think it's kind of like Textbook 101: When you're angry, walk away."
In an August 2023 interview with People, Jax shared that he takes his workout routine pretty seriously. "I work out probably five times a week," he said. "When my kids go to college, I'll be about 60 years old. So it's just important to stay young, feel good — I want to be looking good for them as I get older."
Jax Taylor Playing with Crayons
Jax has always been working with his hands — whether he's pouring up drinks at SUR or changing his son's diaper.
Jax Taylor in a Suit
As evidenced by this photo, Jax knew how to wear clothes well, so it only figures that he would become a model in the future.
Jax Taylor in a Luxury Car
Before he was a model and driving around in luxury cars, like this one, Jax enlisted in the U.S. military, according to Complex.
After spending some time at Michigan State University and community college, Jax dropped out and joined the Navy. He did his training in Virginia before he was stationed in Kosovo.
"He doesn't really like to say much about it, only that it happened," Complex reported in March 2016.
Jax Taylor Taking a Nap
This photo shows Jax napping — and must have needed a break, because his life was super busy during his early years of modeling.
After Jax got scouted in a Michigan Kmart, according to Complex, he started shooting campaigns for Target, Kohl's, and Old Navy.
But modeling was never the end goal for Jax: He actually wanted to work behind the scenes in the modeling industry.
"My goal is to start an agency with a friend of mine," he told Reality Wanted in January 2013. "We've been doing this for 10 years and we want to specialize in working with guys."
Jax Taylor in a Sleeveless Shirt
When he was in the modeling industry, he had some pretty interesting stories to tell — like the time he ended up being roommates with the actor Channing Tatum.
"I started modeling in Miami and went to New York, and I was at this modeling agency called Ford," he told Rolling Stone in May 2023. "This was around 2002, and these agencies had apartments for models that were coming into town. They're basically like dorm rooms with bunk beds. A tiny room with bunkbeds and a bathroom. Channing was one of six guys in our room."
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"Now, he got famous real quick," he continued. "He did this Mountain Dew commercial where he flipped a car, and once he got that job he took off."
Jax Taylor Posing in a Gray Suit
Although he might not do much modeling anymore, Jax could deliver a mean blue steel in his glory days.
