The Brandon Hanson Files: 5 Shocking Facts About Brittany Cartwright's Ex-Boyfriend And The 'Love Triangle' Controversy

Brandon Hanson rocketed into the public eye in late 2025 as the first man *The Valley* star Brittany Cartwright publicly dated following her high-profile separation from husband Jax Taylor. The relationship, however, was short-lived and immediately steeped in controversy, leading many fans to ask: Who exactly is Brandon Hanson, and what really happened between him and the Bravo star?

The relationship was confirmed just months after Brittany Cartwright's August 2024 divorce filing, but by October 2025, the reality star confirmed the romance was over. This deep dive uncovers the essential facts about Hanson, his connection to the Bravo universe, and the shocking "love triangle" accusations that defined his brief time in the spotlight.

Brandon Hanson: Profile and Relationship Timeline

Brandon Hanson is primarily known for his brief, but highly publicized, relationship with reality television personality Brittany Cartwright. While he has largely maintained a private life outside of his connection to the Bravo star, key details about his life and the timeline of their romance have emerged through media reports and Brittany's own podcast.

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• Full Name: Brandon Hanson
• Primary Connection: Ex-boyfriend of Brittany Cartwright, star of *The Valley* and former cast member of *Vanderpump Rules*.
• Family Status: Father of three children.
• Relationship Pre-Dating: Brandon and Brittany were "very good friends" before they began dating, having bonded over their similar life situations.
• Relationship Timeline: The pair went public with their relationship in mid-2025. Brittany announced their split on her "When Reality Hits" podcast in October 2025.
• Controversy: Shortly after the relationship was confirmed, Brandon's estranged wife, Jasina Stanko, publicly accused him of still being legally married.
• Reality TV Appearance: Hanson was featured on a cast trip for the Bravo series *The Valley* during its first season.

The Real Reason Behind The Amicable October 2025 Split

Despite the drama surrounding the early stages of their romance, Brittany Cartwright confirmed that her split from Brandon Hanson was "amicable." The breakup was not attributed to the public controversy, but rather to practical challenges that proved too difficult to overcome for a new relationship.

Brittany, speaking on her podcast *When Reality Hits*, detailed the key factors that led to the end of their brief dating period. The primary issue cited was the logistical strain of a long-distance relationship.

The couple lived approximately three hours apart, which, combined with their respective family and work commitments, made a serious romance challenging. Brittany made it clear that while they still cared for each other, she couldn't see the relationship "going anywhere long term" under these circumstances.

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Crucially, Brandon Hanson has significant family obligations as a father of three children. Balancing his responsibilities as a parent with the demands of a new relationship—especially one under the constant scrutiny of reality TV—ultimately proved too much. The distance and his obligations were the official reasons the pair decided to go their separate ways.

The 'Still-Married' Scandal: Jasina Stanko's Accusations

The most sensational aspect of Brandon Hanson's time in the public eye was the immediate backlash from his estranged wife, Jasina Stanko. Just as Brittany and Brandon were going public with their romance, Stanko took to social media to accuse Brandon of still being legally married, effectively throwing Brittany into a messy "love triangle" narrative.

The accusations suggested that Brandon was not as legally separated as he had implied, leaving Brittany to navigate a fresh wave of relationship drama just as she was trying to move past her tumultuous marriage to Jax Taylor. The incident created a media frenzy, with headlines blasting Brittany for being involved with a man who was allegedly still married.

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While Brittany never directly addressed the marital status of Brandon Hanson on her podcast, the controversy undoubtedly added immense pressure to their nascent relationship. Dealing with the public fallout of an alleged love triangle, combined with the difficulties of long distance, put the brakes on what Brittany had hoped would be a simple, fun new chapter.

Brandon Hanson's Place in the Bravo Universe

Although Brandon Hanson never became a main cast member on *The Valley*, his relationship with Brittany Cartwright secured him a permanent—albeit brief—place in the Bravo reality TV extended universe. His involvement was key to Brittany’s post-Jax storyline.

His brief appearance on a *The Valley* cast trip confirmed the seriousness of the relationship at the time and allowed viewers to see Brittany genuinely happy for the first time since her separation. For Brittany, the relationship with Brandon was a significant step in her journey of self-discovery and moving forward after her divorce filing. She expressed feeling "really proud of herself for showing growth" by choosing to end a relationship that wasn't serving her long-term goals, a clear contrast to her past relationship patterns.

Brandon Hanson remains a private figure, and with the end of his relationship with Brittany, he has largely retreated from the public spotlight. His legacy in the reality TV world is defined by being the man who helped Brittany Cartwright find her footing again, despite the short duration and the dramatic backdrop of the "still-married" controversy.

LSI Keywords and Entities for Topical Authority

The story of Brandon Hanson and Brittany Cartwright is interwoven with several key entities and concepts that define the context of their relationship:

• Reality Television: *The Valley*, *Vanderpump Rules*, Bravo TV.
• Key Figures: Jax Taylor, Jasina Stanko, Kristen Doute (mutual friend/cast member).
• Relationship Dynamics: Long-distance relationship, amicable split, love triangle, dating after divorce, co-parenting challenges.
• Media Outlets: *When Reality Hits* podcast, TMZ, People Magazine.