James Kennedy has kept a relatively low profile since his arrest last week for domestic violence but on Tuesday, the Vanderpump Rules star posted a message to his Instagram Stories, acknowledging that he needs to make changes in his life.
It marks the first time that James himself has spoken out since he was thrown in the slammer on December 10 for domestic violence against a female he lives with. (While James’ girlfriend Ally Lewber hasn’t officially confirmed that she was the victim of the alleged attack, she is the only female who lives with James at the residence.) According to James’ arrest report, a neighbor called 911 and the “female [victim] stated her boyfriend lifted her up and threw her to the ground.”
James— who helped Ally move some of her stuff out of their shared home a few days ago— vowed on Tuesday to do better, starting by making his sobriety a priority.
“I am committed to making meaningful changes in my life,” James wrote. “I am taking time to focus on my sobriety, personal growth, and being present for my loved ones. Navigating challenging moments is not easy, but I am determined to learn, grow and move forward with the incredible support system around me. -James”
James’ statement on Tuesday is very different from the one his attorney released on his behalf on December 13, which seemed to downplay the incident.
“We are in the process of conducting our own investigation into the allegations levied by the Burbank Police Department against James,” James’ lawyers’ statement read. “We understand that there were no injuries and we are hoping that, after careful review, the city’s attorneys will decide not to file formal charges.”
On the night of the incident, James and Ally had attended Kathy Hilton‘s Christmas party together. Several people who attended the party that night have since reported that James seemed “inebriated” and “aggressive.”
“James was acting super-aggressive all night long,” one source told People. “He was acting so erratic, running back and forth to the bar and body-checking people along the way. He appeared inebriated. Spent the evening mostly alone but when he did speak to people, he appeared irritated and rude.”
(Reality star and podcast host Nick Viall— who also attended the party— revealed on his podcast that he saw James “barking orders” at a friend he brought to the party with him.)
As ‘Vanderpump Rules’ fans are aware, James first announced that had gotten sober in 2019. In 2020, he called himself “California Sober,” meaning he still used cannabis but did not drink alcohol.
“It helped me quit the alcohol for good, you know what I mean? I will quit weed also when the time comes,” James said during an October 2021 appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen in October 2021. “I don’t feel like I should quit right now, you know? There’s no point. It doesn’t harm me. It doesn’t, like, affect my life in a negative way. So, why quit?”
By February 2023, James admitted that he was no longer pursing a sober life.
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However, Ally stated publicly in January of this year that James was once again sober, and James discussed on the show that his drinking had started affecting his relationship with Ally.
James’ arrest has already had some consequences for him. In addition to having Ally move out (temporarily, as the couple is reportedly still together), it also appears that James has lost the DJ residency in Las Vegas he had scheduled for next month. James was due to play at least three shows at LIV Nightclub in the Fontainebleau hotel, but the shows no longer appear on the club’s online calendar. His January set at Komodo in Dallas also appears to have been canceled, as James has removed the post on his Instagram promoting it, and the gig no longer appears on the club’s website.
(Before the post was deleted, its comment section was filled with messages from angry fans who were worried about Ally’s safety.)
(Photos: Bravo; Instagram)
2 Responses
James- spell sobriety, hell, I’d settle with you spelling navigating. . 😂
I agree with Gemma. A PR firm is doing all the talking while James is no doubt trying to manipulate Ally into forgiving him. He only stays sober long enough to run his con, then it’s back to his bullshit again.
It fucking boggles me that Tom Sandoval got/gets so much shit for being a cheater, but this guy constantly gets a pass for being physically abusive towards women. Both are forms of abuse and neither acceptable- but James will be back to being adored by the masses as soon as he plays the game he’s been playing for years. It’s gross.
James still hasn’t spoken. No doubt that is his PR firm. This is the same exact thing he has said each time he has been abusive towards people. Mostly women but he seems to be an aggressive little man in general.