James Kennedy He hasn't been shy about discussing his successes — and failures — on his journey to staying sober.
Bravo viewers were introduced to Kennedy when he joined Vanderpump Rules In 2015. After starting out as a bus driver at Lisa Vanderpump's restaurant SUR, Kennedy quickly earned… Wrapped in a lot of drama On screen.
Kennedy was often out with colleagues – From a troubled relationship with Christine Doty To disagree with Jax Taylor And questionable comments about many of the stars — and his relationship with alcohol — didn't help. After Vanderpump fired Kennedy several times, he made an effort to address his substance abuse issues.
In July 2020, Kennedy announced that he was celebrating One year of sobriety. The professional DJ later admitted that he was “sober in California” because marijuana helped him stop using alcohol.
Many of Hollywood's biggest stars have been candid about their journeys to sobriety over the years. Kelly Osbourne, who previously spoke about staying sober for six years, revealed in April 2021 that she had suffered a relapse and was working on next steps. “I'm not proud of it,” she wrote via[…]
“It helped me quit alcohol for good, you know what I mean? And I'll quit weed too when the time comes,” he said on Watch. What's going on with Andy Cohen In October 2021. “I don't feel like I should quit now, you know? There's no point.
“He doesn't hurt me,” Kennedy added. It does not affect my life in a negative way. So why resign?
After him High-profile split of Rachel “Raquel” LevisKennedy confirmed that he had started drinking again, saying in a February 2023 episode of the show Vanderpump Rules“I learned a lot from not drinking during those two years.”
Kennedy considered quitting alcohol after meeting his current girlfriend Ally Lieber. before Season 11 of Vanderpump Rules It began airing in January 2024, and Loper said in an interview with Bravo that Kennedy has “changed more” over the years.
“James, he's in treatment, he's sober, and I'm really proud of him,” she gushed that same month.
Kennedy addressed his sobriety in December 2024 days after he was arrested on a misdemeanor domestic violence charge. “I am committed to making meaningful changes in my life,” he wrote via Instagram Story. “I make time to focus on my sobriety, personal growth, and being there for my loved ones.”
The charges against Kennedy were dropped one month later and in the same month Leuber confirmed their separation.
“I'm glad prosecutors decided not to file a case against James, because I never wanted to press criminal charges,” Leoper wrote via Instagram Story, explaining that while she and Kennedy got into an “argument” at his home in December 2024, she was “not physically hurtful.” “
“We are no longer together, but I will always support James and wish him the best in his sobriety and recovery,” she added.
Keep reading to see Kennedy's candid quotes about sobriety:
Quit drinking
Kennedy said exclusively Us Weekly around Benefits of getting sobershared in August 2019, “I'm 10 weeks (sober) this Friday. It's been really good. It's all nice. I've been focusing on my sobriety and it's been going well. … (My) music has been really good lately. I haven't been procrastinating.” In st.
Make a difference
During his appearance on WWHL Kennedy in March 2020 Certified Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings to help him.
“Because of all the drinking and stuff I was doing, I was hiding away from my true feelings and blaming everything I wanted to get out of it the easy way,” he explained. “I'm going nine months sober. I haven't drank in almost nine months, and I feel completely different.”
“I've really been holding on to my life and trying to change it for the better and change our relationship for the better,” Kennedy continued. I know I have to do this for me, but I'm also doing it for my relationship with Raquel.
Celebrating an important event
“Hey everyone, I just wanted to let you all know that I reached my first year of sobriety today. Quitting drinking was the best decision I've ever made, and I'm going strong. I don't miss the booze….I don't miss the feeling….” I'm so grateful for everything Now that life is more beautiful in so many ways,” Kennedy captioned an Instagram post in July 2020. “Thank you to my rock @raquelleviss for bringing me here, I couldn’t do this without you my friend. my love. ♥ And thank you all for the support this past year.
Proud of the steps he took
Ahead of the second anniversary of his death, Kennedy reflected on the lessons he learned while maintaining his sobriety.
“It's gratitude. It's feeling like I'm so grateful for my sobriety. I wake up every day and thank God that I have it,” he said. and! news In May 2021. “My life has become so much better after quitting drinking. I never feel hungry, I'm able to focus on my music much more. My relationships and friendships are excellent. When I see these amazing things happening right before my eyes, why would I want to go back?
Kennedy admitted he had to deal with it Feeling “lost” Adding: “I got over it, for the first six months I was still struggling with the whole thing of, 'Well, everyone can go out and have fun but I don't.'” When I got over that hump and realized that I was actually capable of having just as much fun, if not More than anyone else drinks alcohol.
He concluded, “It was like a light bulb went off in my head, which is amazing. It's like I walk into a room now with people drinking everywhere and I'm so glad I'm not doing that, you know? I'm so grateful and I feel good about it. No.” I can still be the life of the party, I can still be my attractive self, I still end up chatting more than most people do when they drink, they just drink to have more gossip but I never needed to and I never realized that I wasn't need to Alcohol until I quit so being able to maintain sobriety was fortunately the easiest part of it.
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Trying sobriety in California
According to Kennedy, being “sober in California” means he still smokes marijuana daily and uses edibles.
“It's wilderness and it's a blessing. I thank God every day for my sobriety, honestly,” he said. WWHL In October 2021. “Quitting alcohol was the best decision I ever made, thanks to Raquel. …He's just f**king amazing. I wake up every morning not feeling hungry, just ready for life. I know this sounds corny, but it's honestly pretty good.
Think about his decision
In December 2021, Kennedy and Levis announced their split after five years of dating. Kennedy discussed his relationship with Levis It affected his life while filming The reunion for season nine aired one month later.
“This is not a product of me, I own my life, Tom. This is a product of truth. “We are not soul mates,” said the second one. For me, it was enlightenment. I realized that we loved each other but we no longer love each other. She made up her mind “Her parents always hated me,” he said. “It was never easy.” Tom Sandoval. “Even becoming the guy who quit drinking and changed his entire lifestyle for the sake of this relationship (wasn't enough). It wasn't enough. I still have these anger issues, and I'll never do this again.”
Walk his choice again
“After two and a half years of not having a drop, I decided to drink again, and I had two drinks. After Raquel left, I thought I was going to get married, and I was engaged, you know what I mean?” After everything I had done to improve myself, this was clearly not the case. Enough,” Kennedy said during the Season 10 premiere Vanderpump Ruleswhich aired in January 2023. Quite frankly, it's been a new year. It's 2022, do you know what I'm doing? I am King James Kennedy. Like let me live.”
In a separate conversation with Levis, Kennedy said he got sober because of her, adding: “If I were to quit again, it would be for me next time and not an ultimatum in the relationship.”
Starting over
“I don't drink. Just Red Bulls and Fiji water. I meditate every day. I don't think I'll ever drink again,” Kennedy revealed in the Season 11 premiere, which aired in January 2023. “Ally definitely didn't give me an ultimatum. this time. This is 100% my decision. Technically I'm still California sober. It makes my day better.”
Make a difference
“Obviously when the Tom and Raquel stuff happened, a lot of emotions were flowing. Ally and I were fighting a lot. Especially when I'm drunk,” Kennedy recalled to Vanderpump Rules in February 2024 about what led to his sobriety. “Then she went and stayed at a house Her friend stayed for two nights. I came home and the cats were gone. I was very upset because it was empty and there wasn't the energy that was there before. I was willing to do anything at that moment to get her back.
He added: “The last time I stopped drinking, it was for a relationship. I stopped drinking for two and a half years and then decided: “Fuck you.” This time, I'm doing it for myself. And because I'm doing it for myself, it will improve my life, improve my relationships, improve my friendships, and improve my career. I've seen these benefits before and I definitely want to see them again.
Focus on himself
“Navigating challenging moments is not easy, but I am determined to learn, grow, and move forward with the amazing support system around me,” Kennedy wrote on Instagram.
Kennedy's legal team issued a statement on his behalf after news of his arrest made headlines.
“We are conducting our own investigation into the allegations brought against James by the Burbank Police Department,” his lawyers said in a statement to us after he was released on $20,000 bail. “We understand that there were no injuries and hope that city attorneys, after careful review, will decide not to file formal charges.”
