Taylor Armstrong was an original cast member of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, and her abusive marriage to Russell Armstrong was explored on the show. While issues in their marriage were evident from the beginning, it wasn’t until the second season that Taylor’s co-star Camille Grammer revealed on screen that there was abuse taking place behind the scenes. Taylor shared that she was not ready for her abuse to be exposed on television and felt shocked and betrayed by Camille’s revelation. In July 2011, Taylor filed for divorce, citing physical and verbal abuse. One month later, Russell died by suicide, which had a significant impact on the show’s footage.
Before the abuse situation came to light on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Taylor had concerns that she was being recorded all the time due to her husband’s controlling behavior. A specific scene filmed for the show showed Taylor fearing a violent outburst from Russell while they were in a limo with cameras present. During season 2 of the show, Camille and Taylor got into a heated argument about honesty, leading to Camille revealing on screen that Russell had physically abused Taylor. This revelation resulted in tension within the cast and a threatening email from Russell to Camille about potential legal action.
The breaking point in Taylor and Russell’s relationship came when he accused her of infidelity, leading to a physical altercation where he fractured her orbital floor. Taylor underwent reconstructive surgery as a result of the abuse, which prevented her from participating in filming for Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. The aftermath of the abuse led to Taylor filing for divorce and Russell’s eventual suicide before the second season premiered. Production company Evolution released a statement expressing condolences to Taylor and Russell’s family and addressing the tragic events depicted on the show.
After Russell’s passing, Taylor returned for a third season of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills but later decided to step back from the show. She has since made appearances on other Housewives franchises and discussed how her life has changed since getting married again to her current husband, John Bluher. Taylor expressed her trust and gratitude for her husband, highlighting how their relationship has helped her heal from the trauma of her first marriage. She admitted to initially feeling betrayed and unsure about dating again after her split from Russell but ultimately found love and trust in her current relationship.
In an interview in April 2025, Taylor reflected on the impact of her abusive marriage being exposed on television and the challenges she faced as a result. She shared her experiences of fear and control during her relationship with Russell, as well as the physical and emotional toll it took on her. Despite the difficulties she endured, Taylor has been able to find healing and support in her current marriage and credits her husband for restoring her faith in love and relationships. Her journey from surviving abuse to finding love again has been a source of inspiration for others who may have faced similar challenges in their own lives.
