James Kennedy’s Most Controversial Moments: Fired From SUR, ‘VPR’ Outbursts, Arrest and More

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

During his time on VPR, Kennedy stirred the pot, ruffled feathers (Jax Taylor can attest) and caused drama after cheating on both Kristen Doute and Rachel “Raquel” Leviss.

“If you took a bad James Bond villain and, like, made him sweaty and drunk on fireballs and then, like, had him played by an emaciated Muppet, that would be less annoying than James Kennedy,” costar Stassi Schroeder once said.

Both on and off the show, Kennedy has also struggled with his sobriety. When girlfriend Ally Lewber entered the picture in 2022, he appeared to be headed in the right direction.

However, Us Weekly confirmed in December 2024 that Kennedy was arrested for misdemeanor domestic violence after he was allegedly seen grabbing an unnamed woman. Charges were dropped one 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 talks s— on you and it’s f—-ing true,” Kennedy screamed at Doute during a season 3 episode after they got into a fight.

He proceeded to call her “unmanageable” and Doute later punched him in the face. “You’re a f—ing lying slut!” Kennedy said in response.

While the two had a verbally abusive relationship, it was Doute’s insecurities about being cheated on that led to their split. Her fears were warranted as Kennedy confessed during season 4 to sleeping with SUR employee Jenna Willis after lying to Doute’s face about it.

Drinking DJ

After being promoted from SURver to DJ at Lisa Vanderpump’s restaurant, Kennedy’s drinking issues became more and more evident. During a season 4 episode, he took the cast by surprise when he chugged Fireball from a handle. “James clearly has had — I didn’t know he had that much to drink — but he’s over the edge,” Doute said at the time.

Fat Shaming Katie Maloney

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

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

Getting Fired From SUR Multiple Times

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

During season 5, Kennedy once again raised eyebrows at work following his rude remarks to some of his coworkers.  “It’s petty drama that these bitches [started]. They’re thirsty, thirsty little girls that need a drink and I can’t provide water for them,” Kennedy told Vanderpump at the time, and she called him an “a—hole.”

Later that season, Kennedy was accused of being drunk again at work and Vanderpump’s husband, Ken Todd, called him 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 let go after he called Maloney fat again.

Feuding With Jax Taylor

From the moment Kennedy joined VPR, Taylor didn’t like him, suggesting that Kennedy was using 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 an order,” Kennedy screamed, referring to Taylor’s job to make people frilly drinks. “We need to get more cosmopolitans! Pumptinis!”

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

Becoming “California Sober”

Kennedy announced in July 2020 that he celebrated one year of sobriety. He later clarified that he was “California sober” because smoking marijuana helped him stop drinking.

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

Short-Lived Engagement to Rachel Leviss

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

“After these 5 wonderful years we had together, we decided we have two different goals and made the decision to call off the engagement,” Leviss shared via Instagram in December 2021. “We love each other very much, but we aren’t in 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 the season 10 VPR premiere in January 2023 that he started to drink again after his breakup with Leviss. “After two and a half years of not a single drop, I decided to drink again, have a couple drinks,” he shared. “I thought I was getting married, I was engaged, do you know what I mean? After all I did to better myself, it still clearly wasn’t enough.”

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

Sleeping With Lala Kent

Kent and Kennedy revealed during the season 10 premiere of VPR, which aired in February 2023, that they hooked up during his past romance with Leviss. “James and I when we were both very new in our relationships definitely hooked up,” 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 she crossed the line with Kennedy. (Kent split from Emmett in 2022.)

The Tom Sandoval of the All

Kennedy and Sandoval started as friends — and were almost roommates — before Kennedy dated Doute shortly after she and Sandoval called it quits in 2013. During season 3, the tension between Kennedy and Sandoval started to build after Sandoval got protective over Doute and tried to warn her about the DJ.

Once Sandoval began dating Ariana Madix in late 2013, he rekindled his friendship with Kennedy. The pair grew close with Kennedy opening for Sandoval’s band, Tom Sandoval & The Most Extras, in summer 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 hookup as a slap in the face since he was previously engaged to Leviss.

Getting Sober Again

During season 11 of VPR, Kennedy revealed that he was sober after his past substance abuse issues.

Physical Abuse Rumors

In February 2024, Lewber shut down rumors that Kennedy had been abusive toward her during their two-year relationship. “James and I did get 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 & TV Awards was brought up. “I was not 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 Kennedy never “physically hurt” or “assaulted” her at any point.

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

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

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

Arrest for Alleged Domestic Violence

Us confirmed in December 2024 that Kennedy was arrested for misdemeanor domestic violence after law enforcement responded to a call about an argument between a man and woman. Kennedy was allegedly spotted grabbing the woman’s arm. He was later released after posting a $20,000 bail.

“We are in the process of conducting our own investigation into the allegations levied by the Burbank Police Department against James,” his attorneys said in a statement to Us. “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.”

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

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