James Kennedy.
Tommy Garcia/BravoJames Kennedy He came in like a wrecking ball when he joined Vanderpump Rules In the third season – and his antics were not shown on the reality show.
during Its time is on VPRKennedy stirred the bowl, and the feathers flew (Jax Taylor can attest) and caused drama after cheating on both of them Christine Doty and Rachel “Raquel” Levis.
“If you take it bad James Bond The villain, made him sweaty and drunk with fireballs, and then if he were played by a scrawny puppet, it would be less annoying than James Kennedy. Stassi Schroeder He once said.
Both on and off the show, Kennedy did it too He struggled with his sobriety. When girlfriend Ally Lieber He entered the picture in 2022, and seemed to be heading in the right direction.
Amanda Edwards/Getty Images James Kennedy hasn't been shy about discussing his successes — and failures — on his journey to stay 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 was soon involved in many(…)
but, Us Weekly He confirmed in December 2024 that Kennedy was arrested Charged with misdemeanor domestic violence after he was seen grabbing an unnamed woman. The charges were dropped one month later but Leoper confirmed their split at the time.
Scroll down to see Kennedy's biggest ups and downs over the years:
Cheating on Christine Doute
Kennedy was introduced to the masses in VPR During Season 3 in 2014 when he was dating Doute. The couple had a turbulent relationship during the third and fourth season. “Everyone is talking about you and it's true,” Kennedy shouted at Doute during the Season 3 episode after they got into a fight.
He proceeded to call her “uncontrollable” and Dout later punched him in the face. “You're lying slut!” Kennedy said in response.
While the relationship between the two was verbally abusive, it was Doute's concerns about being cheated on that led to their breakup. Her fears were justified Kennedy confessed during season four To sleep with a SUR employee Jenna Willis After lying to Doute's face about it.
dj drink
After being promoted from SURver to DJ in Lisa VanderpumpAt Kennedy's restaurant, Kennedy's drinking problems become more apparent. During one episode of Season 4, he surprised the cast when he pulled a fireball from the handle. “Obviously James was — I didn't know he was drinking that much — but he went over the edge,” Doughty said at the time.
Fat shame Katie Maloney
During season 5 of VPR In 2016, Kennedy directed insults at several of his colleagues including… Sheena Shay And Maloney. “I didn't talk about anyone,” Kennedy claimed during one episode before Shay asked, “Did you get some work done?” “You look good.”
after Lala KaneR “I can see that everyone here hasn't been working on their summer bodies,” Kennedy told the group. “Wait, are you pregnant?” He told Maloney, calling her fat. “Oh my God, congratulations!”
Expulsion from SUR several times
Kennedy started out as a SUR bus driver before becoming a DJ for Vanderpump. During the third season, Kennedy was fired by Vanderpump for drinking on the job and fighting but returned to work the next day. Peter Madrigal then I kicked him out again Because it wasn't supposed to be there in the first place.
During Season 5, Kennedy once again raised eyebrows at work after making rude remarks to some of his co-workers. “It's a petty drama that these bitches (started).” “They're thirsty, thirsty little girls who need a drink and I can't get them water,” Kennedy told Vanderpump at the time, calling him an “a-hole.”
Later that season, Kennedy was charged Being drunk again at work Vanderpump's husband, Ken ToddHe accused him of “disrespecting” his wife. Kennedy was later fired. After working his way back into Vanderpump's good graces, Kennedy was reassigned but During the seventh season he was let go After calling Maloney fat again.
Feud with Jax Taylor
From the moment Kennedy joined VPR, Taylor didn't like himSuggesting that Kennedy was using his then-girlfriend Doute for fame. During Season 5, Taylor inserted himself into a conversation between Kennedy and Kent, which resulted in Kennedy yelling at him during work hours.
“They need to take it,” Kennedy exclaimed, referring to Taylor's job of making people drink garnishes. “We need to get more cosmopolitans! Pumpkins!”
During the same season, the duo got into a fight after one of Kennedy's DJ gigs. Taylor threw a drink at him and Kennedy responded by throwing his own glass at Taylor. They were escorted out of the place by security. By June 2017, the two stars had returned to their friendship, but their relationship continued as well Tides.
Become “California Sober”
Kennedy announced in July 2020 that he had celebrated one year of sobriety. He later explained that he was “sober in California” because smoking marijuana helped him stop drinking.
“It's wilderness and it's a blessing. I thank God every day for my sobriety, honestly,” he said. Watch what happens live with Andy Cohen In October 2021. “Quitting alcohol was the best decision I've ever made, thanks to Rachel. …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.
Short-lived engagement to Rachel Levis
Kennedy and Levis announced their engagement in May 2021 after he proposed in Palm Springs, California, while hosting a “Rachela” festival for all their friends. Seven months later, the couple revealed this No longer together.
“After these five amazing years together, we decided we had different goals and made the decision to call off the engagement,” Levis shared via Instagram in December 2021. “We love each other very much, but we're not in a good place.” Love anymore. We want nothing but the best for each other, so please keep any thoughts positive. Sending love.”
Falling off the wagon
Kennedy revealed during Season 10 VPR Premiering in January 2023 where he starts drinking again after breaking up with Levis. “After two and a half years of not having a single drop, I decided to drink again, and I had two drinks,” he said. “I thought I was going to get married, and I was engaged, you know what I mean? After everything I did to better myself, it clearly wasn't enough.
He added: “Quite frankly, it was a new year. It's 2022, do you know what I'm doing? I'm f-ing James Kennedy. Like let me live.”
Sleeping with Lala Kent
Kent and Kennedy were revealed during the season 10 premiere VPRwhich aired in February 2023, that They have arrived During his previous romantic relationship with Levis. “James and I when we were very new in our relationships, we were sure of it,” Kent said. “We went to Chicago (in 2016) and started drinking before we got on the plane. That's why he said I do handstands because I definitely do handstands.
Kennedy wasn't the only person snapped at the time Kent was dating Randall Emmett When I crossed the line with Kennedy. (Kent broke up with Emmett in 2022.)
Tom Sandoval for everyone
Kennedy and Sandoval started out as friends — almost roommates — before Kennedy dated Doute Shortly after she and Sandoval quit in 2013. During the third season, tension between Kennedy and Sandoval began to mount after Sandoval gained protection from Doute and tried to warn her about DJ.
Once Sandoval started dating Ariana Madix In late 2013, He rekindled his friendship With Kennedy. The duo is close to opening for Kennedy for Sandoval's band, Tom Sandoval & The Most Extras, in the summer of 2022.
However, when news broke in March 2023, it happened Sandoval had an affair with Levis While he was still dating Maddix, his relationship with Kennedy suffered. Kennedy viewed this engagement as a slap in the face since he had previously been engaged to Levis.
Get sober again
During season 11 of VPRKennedy revealed that he was sober after his previous problems with drug abuse.
Rumors of physical assault
In February 2024, Lieber shut down the rumors that Kennedy was abusive to her during their two-year relationship. “James and I got into an argument, but there was no physical assault,” Leoper said during an appearance on the radio show “Scheananigans” after bringing up an alleged incident following the MTV Movie & TV Awards. “I wasn't bleeding, and they didn't have to get out of the car and separate us. So it didn't happen. That's all I'll say about that.”
Leoper claimed that Kennedy never “physically harmed” or “assaulted” her at any time.
“We're good. We're happy. He's working on himself. I know in the past he had anger issues. I get that,” she continued. “But I just want people to know that I'm good and that I'm safe and that I love him.”
During the same interview, Shay brought up allegations that Doughty and Levis were so-so Made in the past About Kennedy's alleged behavior. Leoper thanked Shay for giving her a “safe space” to speak, but she stuck to her story.
“I'm like, do I go on my Instagram and say, 'I'm good, guys?' “I don’t know how to deal with these kinds of things,” Leuber said to Shay. “This is a very serious thing. I appreciate everyone concerned about me. But I want everyone to know that I'm okay.”
Arrest for alleged domestic violence
we It was confirmed in December 2024 that Kennedy was He was arrested on a misdemeanor domestic violence charge after law enforcement responded to a call about an altercation between a man and a woman. Kennedy was allegedly seen grabbing the woman's arm. He was later released after posting $20,000 bail.
“We are conducting our own investigation into the allegations brought against James by the Burbank Police Department,” his attorneys said in a statement to us. “We understand that there were no injuries and hope that city attorneys, after careful review, will decide not to file formal charges.”
Leuber then confirmed their split. “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.
