Revisiting How ‘RHOBH’ Led to Taylor Armstrong’s Split From Russell and Subsequent Offscreen Drama

Taylor Armstrong‘s abusive marriage to Russell Armstrong was addressed on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills — but how did the aftermath affect the show going forward?

When RHOBH premiered in 2010, Taylor was one of the original lead cast members, whose marriage to Russell was explored on the show. While issues in Taylor’s marriage to Russell were evident immediately, it wasn’t until the second season that her costar Camille Grammer revealed on screen that there was abuse taking place behind the scenes.

“It was pretty well known that I had marital problems but I wasn’t ready for my abuse to be outed on television,” Taylor shared on Investigation Discovery’s Hollywood Demons in April 2025 about the moment Camille revealed on screen that she was being abused. “I remember looking at the producer in just a blank stare thinking, ‘It is out,’ and I couldn’t put it back. Camille had outed the fact that I was abused. I was saying, ‘You have no idea what you have done to me. He has threatened to kill me before.’”

In July 2011, Taylor filed for divorce, citing physical and verbal abuse. One month later, Russell died by suicide, which affected the footage that was subsequently featured on RHOBH. Taylor, who shared daughter Kennedy with Russell, later moved on with now-husband John Bluher. The couple tied the knot in 2014 and Taylor has since praised Bluher for changing her view on marriage.

Keep scrolling for a timeline breakdown of Taylor and Russell’s split — including how RHOBH was involved:

Before the Situation Came to Light on ‘RHOBH’

“I think a majority of people had no idea what was going on behind the scenes,” Taylor explained on Hollywood Demons in April 2025. “It got to the point where I assumed I was being recorded all the time. I always assumed he was listening.”

Taylor specifically addressed a scene that was filmed for the show.

“We had the cameras on and I was afraid he would explode in the car. I could see it and I could tell he would start to give me this look,” she added. “And we were in a limo with cameras so I thought, ‘Let us get home before this happens.’ Because he could not control himself.”

Camille Revealing Taylor’s Abuse

During season 2, which aired in 2011, Camille and Taylor got into a fight about honesty. Camille didn’t appreciate the accusation that she wasn’t addressing all her issues on screen, firing back at Taylor, “We’re all protecting you about what you told us about your marriage.”

Camille continued: “We’ve been protecting you. Because we don’t say that he hits you. Because we don’t say that he broke your jaw. Or that he beat you and he hits you. We don’t say that, but now we said it.”

After the shocking revelation, Russell sent an email to Camille hinting he would sue her if she continued to repeat the claims she heard from Taylor about him being abusive. This led to a tense scene where Russell and Taylor weren’t allowed inside Kyle Richards’ home for a party because of the cast divide.

The Breaking Point

Before season 2 of RHOBH aired, Russell and Taylor got in an argument where he accused her of infidelity.

“He raised up, leaned over and punched me. He fractured my orbital floor,” she shared, and as a photo of her injury was shown. Taylor was told by Russell to lie to the doctor but the medical professional doubted her version of events. “I knew the doctor didn’t believe what I was saying. Of course I couldn’t say anything.”

Taylor went through “reconstructive surgery,” which prevented her from appearing on RHOBH.

“We were filming toward the end of the season. I had to not film because I had the eye surgery and after we filmed the finale. Everyone was very aware of what happened,” she shared in Hollywood Demons before explaining why she agreed to join a reality show while in an abusive relationship. “Maybe in a way I felt if the cameras were there, I would get the good version of him.”

Related: ‘RHOBH‘ Alum Taylor Armstrong‘s Reality TV History: Husband‘s Death, More

Former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast member Taylor Armstrong has endured unimaginable tragedies and highly publicized feuds throughout her 15 years of fame. Taylor’s marriage to businessman Russell Armstrong crumbled on national television during RHOBH’s first two seasons, with Armstrong later dying by suicide in 2011. Taylor faced scrutiny in the aftermath of Russell’s […]

Offscreen Aftermath

Taylor filed for divorce after undergoing surgery as a result of Russell’s abuse. He ultimately died by suicide before season 2 premiered on Bravo. After Russell’s death, the network largely removed most of the scenes that depicted the moments immediately after his passing where the cast discussed the relevant events.

“We are really saddened by this tragedy and our prayers go out to Taylor and Russell’s family,” read a 2011 statement from production company Evolution. “As producers of the show, we’re merely flies on the wall in capturing what happens in real life: the good and the bad, and in this case, a really unfortunate tragedy.”

Finding Love Again

Taylor returned for a third season of RHOBH but later decided to take a step back. She returned to the Housewives franchise with appearances on season 2 of The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip and season 17 of The Real Housewives of Orange County. Taylor has also discussed how her life has changed since getting married again.

“That’s why I believe I’m married now because I would’ve never trusted anyone again [after my first marriage],” she exclusively told Us Weekly in June 2022 while comparing her marriages. “After all the lies that were built in my previous relationship, having someone that just stood by me — even though we couldn’t stand each other for a while — was the reason that I trust him so much, and we became best friends.”

Taylor recalled how she was initially unsure about dating again after her split from Russell. “I just felt so betrayed,” she told Us. “I think if it wouldn’t have been someone that I trust so much because of everything I went through, I don’t think I would’ve ever been in a relationship again.”