James Kennedy’s Most Controversial Moments: SUR Firings, Arrest

James Kennedy he came in like a wrecking ball when he joined Vanderpump Rules in season 3 – and his wild antics weren’t limited to the reality show.

During its time on VPRKennedy stirred the pot, ruffled feathers (Jax Taylor can testify) and caused drama after cheating on them both Kristen Doute a Rachel “Raquel” Leviss.

“If you took evil James Bond villain and, like, made sweaty and drunk on fireballs and then, like, if an emaciated Muppet played him, that would be less angry than James Kennedy,” costar Stassi Schroeder he once said.

On and off the show, so is Kennedy has struggled with his sobriety. When love Ally Lewber entered the picture in 2022, it seemed to be going in the right direction.

However, Us Weekly confirm that in December 2024 Kennedy was arrested for misdemeanor domestic violence after he was allegedly seen grabbing an unnamed woman. Charges were dropped a month later but Lewber confirmed their split at the time.

Scroll down to see Kennedy’s biggest ups and downs over the years:

Cheating on Kristen Doute

Kennedy was introduced to fans on VPR during season 3 in 2014 when he was dating Doute. The pair had a tumultuous relationship that played out during season 3 and 4. “F— you, Kristen! Everybody’s talking s— on you and it’s true,” Kennedy screamed at Doute during a season 3 episode after they fought.

He went on to call her “untouchable” and Doute later punched him in the face. “You go – lie down slut!” Kennedy said in response.

Although the two had a verbally abusive relationship, it was Doute’s insecurity about being cheated on that led to their split. Her fears were justified as Kennedy admitted during season 4 to sleep with a SUR employee Jenna Willis after lying to Doute’s face about it.

DJ drinking

After being promoted from SURver to DJ at Lisa Vanderpump‘s restaurant, Kennedy’s drinking issues became more and more apparent. During an episode of season 4, he surprised the cast as he hid a Fireball from a handle. “It’s clear James has had it – I didn’t know he had so much to drink – but he’s over the edge,” Doute said at the time.

Fat Shame Katie Maloney

During season 5 of VPR in 2016, Kennedy’s insults towards multiple castmates incl Scheana Shay and Maloney. “I didn’t talk s—t on anybody,” Kennedy claimed during one episode before asking Shay, “Did you do some work? You look good.”

After Lala Kenp to the group, “I can see that not everyone here has been working on their summer bodies,” Kennedy piled on. “Wait, are you pregnant?” she told Maloney, calling her fat. “Oh, my God, congratulations!”

Getting Fired Multiple Times SUR

Kennedy started out as a SUR busser before becoming Vanderpump’s DJ. During season 3, Kennedy was fired by Vanderpump for drinking on the job and fighting but showed back up for work the next day. Peter Madrigal then fire it again because it wasn’t supposed to be there in the first place.

During season 5, Kennedy once again raised eyebrows at work following his rude comments to some of his colleagues. “These games are a minor drama (he began). They’re thirsty, thirsty little girls who need a drink and I can’t provide water for them,” Kennedy told Vanderpump at the time, calling him an “a-hole.”

Later that term, Kennedy was accused of being drunk again at work and Vanderpump’s husband, Ken Toddcalled out for “disrespecting” his wife. Kennedy was later fired. After working his way back into Vanderpump’s good graces, Kennedy was rehired but during season 7 he was dropped after he called Maloney mat again.

Join Jax Taylor

From the moment Kennedy joined VPR, Taylor didn’t like itsuggesting that Kennedy was using Doute, his girlfriend at the time, 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 an order,” Kennedy screamed, referring to Taylor’s job of making frilly drinks for people. “We need to have more cosmopolitans! Pumptinis!”

During the same season, the pair got into a fight after one of DJ Kennedy’s gigs. Taylor threw a drink at him and Kennedy hit back by throwing his glass at Taylor. The two were escorted out of the venue by security officers. By June 2017, the costars were back to being friends, but their relationship has continued ebb and flow.

Become “California Sober”

Kennedy announced in July 2020 that he was celebrating a year of sobriety. He later explained that he was “California sober” because smoking marijuana helped him quit drinking.

“It’s wild and it’s a blessing. I thank God every day for my sobriety, to be honest,” he continued Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen in October 2021. “Cutting out alcohol was the best decision I ever made, thanks to (Rachel). … It’s f—king amazing. I wake up every morning never hungover, just ready for life. And I know that sounds cliche, but honestly it’s so good.”

A Short-lived Commitment to Rachel Leviss

Kennedy and Leviss announced their engagement in May 2021 after he proposed in Palm Springs, California, while hosting a “Rachella” party for all his friends. Seven months later, the couple revealed that they were no longer together.

“After these 5 great years we had together, we decided we had two different goals and made the decision to call off the engagement,” Leviss shared via Instagram in December 2021. “We love our each other very much, but we are not lovers anymore. We want nothing but the best for each other so keep any thoughts positive. Sending Love.”

Fall off the Wagon

Kennedy revealed during season 10 VPR for the first time in January 2023 he started drinking again after he broke up with Leviss. “After two and a half years of not one drop, I decided to drink again, have a couple of drinks,” he said. “I thought I was getting married, I was engaged, you know what I mean? After all I healed myself, it was clearly not enough.”

He added: “And to be honest, it was a f—ing new year. It was 2022, you know, what am I doing? I’m James Kennedy. Like, let me live.”

Sleeping With Lala Kent

Kent and Kennedy revealed during the season 10 premiere of VPRbroadcast in February 2023, that they hook up during his past romance with Leviss. “James and I when we were both very new in our relationships were definitely hooked,” Kent said. “We went to Chicago (in 2016) and we 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 one taken at the time as Kent was dating Randall Emmett when he crossed the line with Kennedy. (Kent split from Emmett in 2022.)

Everyone’s Tom Sandoval

Kennedy and Sandoval started out as friends – and were practically roommates – before Kennedy dated Doute shortly after she and Sandoval called it quits in 2013. During season 3, the tension between Kennedy and Sandoval began to build after Sandoval became defensive over Doute and tried to warn her about the DJ.

Once Sandoval started dating Ariana Madix at the end of 2013, rekindle his friendship with Kennedy. The pair grew close with Kennedy opening for Sandoval’s band, Tom Sandoval & The Most Extras, in the summer of 2022.

However, when news broke in March 2023 that Sandoval had an affair with Leviss while still dating Madix, his relationship with Kennedy suffered. Kennedy took the hook as a slap in the face since he was previously engaged to Leviss.

Getting Sober Again

During season 11 of VPRKennedy revealed that he is sober after his past substance abuse issues.

Rumors of Physical Abuse

In February 2024, Lewber shut down rumors that Kennedy had been abusive towards her during their two-year relationship. “James and I got into an argument, but there was no physical assault,” Lewber said during an appearance on the “Scheananigans” podcast after an alleged incident following the MTV Movie and TV Awards was brought up. “I wasn’t bleeding, and they didn’t have to get out of the car and separate us. So that didn’t happen. That’s all I’ll say on that.”

Lewber claimed that Kennedy had never “physically hurt” or “assaulted” her at any time.

“We’re good. We are happy. He works on himself. I know in the past he had anger issues. So I get it,” she continued. “But I want people to know that I’m good and I’m safe and I love him.”

During the same interview, Shay brought up allegations that Doute and Leviss had done in the past about Kennedy’s alleged behavior. Lewber thanked Shay for giving her a “safe space” to speak, but stick to her story.

“I’m like, do I go on my Instagram and say, ‘I’m good, guys?’ Like, I don’t know how to navigate these kinds of things,” Lewber told Shay. “And this is something that is very serious. And I appreciate everyone who cares about me. But I want everyone to know I’m good.”

Arrest for Alleged Domestic Violence

Us it was confirmed in December 2024 that Kennedy arrest for misdemeanor domestic violence after law enforcement responded to a call about an argument 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 in the process of 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 there were no injuries and we hope that after a careful review, the city attorneys will decide not to file formal charges.”

Lewber subsequently confirmed their split. “I’m happy that prosecutors decided not to file against James, as I never wanted criminal charges,” Lewber wrote via her Instagram Story, explaining that even though she and Kennedy got into an “argument” at his home in December 2024 that she was “not physically hurt.”

She added: “We are no longer together, but I will always support James and wish him the best with his sobriety and recovery.”