james kennedy He wasn’t afraid to talk about his successes and failures in his journey to stay sober.
Bravo viewers were introduced to Kennedy when he joined the cast. Vanderpump Rules 2015. After getting her start as a busboy at Lisa Vanderpump’s restaurant SUR, Kennedy quickly became embroiled in plenty of on-screen drama.
Kennedy often had tumultuous relationships with fellow actors. Christine Dote in his discord Jax Taylor And questionable comments about numerous co-stars — and his relationship with alcohol didn’t help. After Vanderpump fired Kennedy multiple times, he worked to address his substance abuse issues.
In July 2020, Kennedy announced that she was celebrating one year of sobriety. The professional DJ later admitted that he was a “California sober” because marijuana helped him stop drinking.
Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars have been candid about their sobriety journeys over the years. Kelly Osbourne, who previously said she had been sober for six years, revealed in April 2021 that she had suffered a relapse and was taking the next step. “I’m not proud. But I am back to normal,” she wrote (…)
“It helped me quit drinking for good. Do you see what I mean? “I will quit smoking weed when the time comes,” he told Watch. What happens when you live with Andy Cohen? October 2021. “I don’t think I should quit right now. “It’s no use.”
“It doesn’t hurt me,” Kennedy said. It has no negative impact on my life. “Then why do you quit?”
After his high-profile breakup Rachel “Raquel” LevisKennedy confirmed in a February 2023 episode that she had started drinking again. Vanderpump Rules“I learned a lot from being sober for two years.”
Kennedy considered quitting drinking after meeting his current girlfriend Ally Lever. Before Season 11 Vanderpump Rules Lewber, who began airing in January 2024, told Bravo that Kennedy has “changed the most” over the years.
“James, he’s in treatment, he’s sober. I’m so proud of him,” she gushed that same month.
Kennedy announced his sobriety in December 2024, days after his arrest for misdemeanor domestic violence. “I’m trying to make meaningful changes in my life,” he said on his Instagram Story. “I’m taking time to focus on sobriety, personal growth, and being present for my loved ones.”
The charges against Kennedy were dismissed a month later, and the same month Lewber confirmed their split.
“I’m glad prosecutors decided not to file a case against James because I never wanted to file criminal charges,” Lewber said on his Instagram Story, accusing him of having an “argument” at his home in December 2024. Even though he was “not physically hurt.”
She added: “Although we are no longer together, I will always support James and wish him the best with his sobriety and healing.”
Read on to see Kennedy’s candid quotes about sobriety.
quit drinking
Kennedy spoke exclusively our week We shared the following about the benefits of getting sober in August 2019: “I am 10 weeks sober this Friday. I really liked it. Everything is beautiful. I have been focusing on my sobriety and it is going really well. … I really like (my) recent music. I didn’t put off st.”
change
Appearing WWHL In March 2020, Kennedy credited Alcoholics Anonymous for helping him.
“Because I was drinking and doing that, I was really pulling myself out of my true feelings and blaming everything I wanted to take the easy way out,” he explained. “I plan to quit drinking for the next nine months. “I haven’t had a drink in almost nine months and I feel completely different.”
Kennedy continued: “I was trying to change my life for the better and our relationship for the better. I know I have to do this for myself, but I’m also doing it for my relationship with Raquel.”
Congratulations on your milestone
“Hi everyone I just wanted to let you all know that today I quit drinking for a year. Quitting alcohol was the best decision I ever made and it will make me stronger. I don’t miss alcohol… I don’t even miss the feeling… Kennedy captioned a July 2020 Instagram post. “Thank you to my rock @raquelleviss for getting me this far. I couldn’t have done this without you. I love you.♥️ And thank you to everyone who has supported me over the past year.”
I’m proud of the steps he took
Ahead of his second anniversary in office, Kennedy reflected on the lessons he learned while maintaining sobriety.
“Thank you. I feel so grateful for my sobriety. “I wake up every day and thank God that I have it,” he said. and! tidings May 2021. “My life has become so much better since I quit drinking. I never feel hungover and can focus much better on the music. My relationships and friendships are great. “Why would you want to go back when these amazing things are happening right before your eyes?”
Admitting that he had to overcome ‘feeling lost’, Kennedy said: “I got over it. For the first six months, I was still struggling with the whole thing. ‘Well, everyone else is going out and having fun, but not me.’ When I got over that hump, I realized I could actually have just as much fun, if not more, than other people do with alcohol.”
He concluded: “It was like a light bulb went off in my head, it was amazing. It’s like you walk into a room where people are drinking all over the place and they don’t seem really happy. You know? Thank you so much and it feels so good. I can still be the life of the party, I can still be my charismatic self, and I still get to chat more than most people do over drinks. They drink just to chat more. But I didn’t need it and I never realized I didn’t need alcohol until I quit. So being able to maintain my sobriety was thankfully the easiest part.”
Some things never change, but the cast of Vanderpump Rules is no stranger to change and grooming. Vanderpump Rules was introduced to Bravo viewers on a special episode of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills in January 2013. Season 1 featured Lisa Vanderpump and Stassi(…), who were Housewives of Beverly Hills at the time.
California’s sobriety efforts
According to Kennedy, “California sober” meant he still smoked marijuana and used edibles every day.
“It’s wild and it’s a blessing. “I honestly thank God every day for my sobriety.” WWHL October 2021. “Thanks to (Raquel), quitting drinking was the best decision I ever made. … It’s really, really amazing. I wake up every morning ready to get on with life without a hangover. “It sounds cliché, but honestly, I love it.”
Looking back on his decision
In December 2021, Kennedy and Levi announced their split after five years of dating. Kennedy discussed how her relationship with Leviss affected her life while filming the Season 9 reunion, which aired a month later.
“This is not the result of me ruining my life, Tom. This is a product of truth. The second time she said, ‘We are not soulmates.’ For me it was a terrible realization. I realized that although we loved each other, we no longer love each other. She made a decision. Her parents always hated me. “It was never easy,” he said. tom sandoval. “Even becoming a man who quit drinking and completely changed his lifestyle wasn’t enough for this relationship. It wasn’t enough. I still have these anger issues and I will never do this again.”
walking back his choice
“After two and a half years without a drop, I decided to try a couple of drinks again. After Raquel left, I thought I was married and engaged. Do you know what I mean? “I tried my best to make myself a better person, but it still wasn’t enough.” Kennedy said during the season 10 premiere. Vanderpump RulesIt aired in January 2023. “And honestly, it’s been a new f–king year. It’s 2022, what am I doing? I am fucking James Kennedy. For example, please save me.”
In a separate conversation with Levi, Kennedy said he got sober because of her, adding, “If I ever quit again, it would be for me next time, not as an ultimatum in the relationship.”
start fresh
“I don’t drink alcohol. All you need is Red Bull and Fiji Water. I am meditating every day. I don’t think I’ll ever drink again,” Kennedy said in the season 11 premiere, which aired in January 2023. “This time Allie didn’t give me an ultimatum. This is 100% my decision. Technically, I’m still sober in California. It makes my day better.”
change
“Obviously there was a lot of emotion when the Tom and Raquel incident happened. Allie and I fought a lot. While especially sober, Kennedy reflected on what led to her sobriety on Vanderpump Rules in February 2024. “Then she went and stayed at a friend’s house for two nights. I came home and the cats were gone. I was so upset because I felt empty and didn’t have the energy I used to have. “I was willing to do anything at that moment to get her back.”
He continued, “The last time I quit drinking was for the sake of dating. After being sober for two and a half years, I decided to ‘enough’. This time I will do it myself. My life, relationships, friendships, and career will be better because I am doing this for myself. I’ve seen those benefits before and I’d love to see them again.”
focus on yourself
“It’s not easy to get through challenging moments, but I’m determined to learn, grow, and move forward with the amazing support system around me,” Kennedy wrote on Instagram.
Kennedy’s legal team released a statement on his behalf after news of his arrest made headlines.
“The Burbank Police Department is conducting its own investigation into the allegations against James,” James’ attorneys said in a statement after he was released on $20,000 bail. “We know there were no injuries, and we are hoping that after careful review, the city attorney will decide not to file formal charges.”
