james kennedy He wasn’t afraid to talk about his successes and failures on his journey to sobriety.
Bravo viewers were introduced to Kennedy when she joined the company. vanderpump rules Kennedy started working as a barker at Lisa Vanderpump’s SUR restaurant and soon found herself embroiled in a lot of on-screen drama.
Kennedy often had fractious relationships with his co-stars. kristen doute feud with him Jax Taylor And questionable comments about many co-stars, as well as his relationship with alcohol, didn’t help. Vanderpump sought to address her substance abuse issues after firing Kennedy multiple times.
In July 2020, President Kennedy announced the one-year anniversary of his sobriety. The professional DJ later admitted that he was “sober in California” because marijuana helped him quit alcohol.
“It’s helped me quit alcohol completely. You know what I mean? When the time is right, I’m going to quit marijuana too,” he told Watch. What Happens Live with Andy Cohen In October 2021. It makes no sense. ”
Kennedy added, “It doesn’t hurt me. It doesn’t have a negative impact on my life. So why did you quit?”
After his high-profile divorce, Rachel “Raquel” ReavisKennedy admitted that he had started drinking again, saying in a February 2023 episode: vanderpump rules“I learned a lot by not drinking for those two years.”
Kennedy considered giving up alcohol after meeting his current girlfriend allie ruber. Before season 11 vanderpump rules In an interview with Bravo, Lubar said Kennedy was “the most changed” he had been in years.
That same month, she gushed, “James, he’s been in therapy and sober. I’m really proud of him.”
Kennedy gave a speech about sobriety in December 2024, days after he was arrested on a misdemeanor domestic violence charge. “I am committed to making meaningful changes in my life,” he wrote via Instagram Stories. “I’m taking time to focus on sobriety, personal growth, and being there for my loved ones.”
The charges against Kennedy were dropped a month later, and that same month, Lubar confirmed that the two had broken up.
“I am happy that the prosecutor’s office decided not to charge James, as I did not want criminal charges,” Lubar wrote on her Instagram Story, adding that she was with Kennedy at her home in December 2024. It was true that there was an “argument”, but she explained it as “an argument”. I’m not physically hurt. ”
She added, “Although we are no longer together, I will always support James and wish him all the best in his sobriety and recovery.”
Keep reading to see Kennedy’s candid quotes about sobriety.
Temperance
Kennedy spoke exclusively. our weekly magazine I shared the benefits of sobriety in August 2019. “I’m in my 10th week. [sober] This Friday. It was really good. Everything is beautiful. I’ve been focusing on getting sober and it’s been going really well. … [My] The music has been really good lately. I don’t procrastinate at work. ”
make a change
During the performance WWHL In March 2020, Kennedy credited Alcoholics Anonymous for helping him.
“I was hiding from my true feelings, with drinking and all that, and just blaming things that I wanted to get out in an easy way,” he explained. “I’ve been sober for nine months. I haven’t had a drink in almost nine months, and I feel completely different.”
Kennedy continued, “I’m taking my life seriously and trying to change it for the better and change our relationship for the better. I know I have to do that for myself.” But I’m also doing it for the sake of my relationship with Raquel.”
celebrate milestones
“Hey guys, today I wanted to let you all know that I am celebrating one year of sobriety. Quitting drinking was the best decision I ever made and I am stronger. I don’t miss drinking… I don’t miss feeling… “I’m so grateful for everything I have now and life is more beautiful in so many ways,” Kennedy wrote on Instagram in July 2020. Added a caption to the post. I love you ♥️ And thank you to everyone who has supported me this past year. ”
I’m proud of the steps he’s taken
Ahead of his two-year anniversary, Kennedy reflected on the lessons he learned while staying sober.
“It’s a feeling of gratitude. I feel so grateful to have been sober. I wake up every day and thank God I got it,” he said. Eh! news “My life has improved so much since I stopped drinking. I don’t get hangovers anymore and I can focus more on my music. My relationships and friendships are great. Why would you want to go back when you see such great things happening?”
Kennedy admitted that he had to deal with the feeling of “missing out,” adding, “For the first six months I was still struggling with the whole thing, but I was like, ‘Well, everyone else should be going out and having fun. But, I thought, “But, I got through it.” I don’t. ‘Once I got over that hurdle, I realized that I actually had as much fun drinking alcohol as anyone else, if not more. ”
He concluded: “It was like a light bulb went off in my head and it was really amazing. Like, I walked into a room where everyone was drinking everywhere and I was just so happy. I’m just so grateful and so I feel good. I’m still the life of the party and my charismatic self. And I still do what most people do to drink. They drink just to talk more. But I’ve never needed it and I don’t need alcohol until I quit alcohol. I didn’t really realize that I wasn’t. So, thankfully, staying sober was the easiest part.”
Try California Sobriety
According to Kennedy, being “sober in California” meant he still smoked marijuana and used edibles every day.
“It’s wild and it’s a blessing. Honestly, I thank God every day that I’m sober,” he said. WWHL In October 2021. [Raquel]. …It’s really amazing. I wake up every morning with no hangover and just ready to live. It may sound trite, but honestly it’s pretty good. ”
reflect on his decision
In December 2021, Kennedy and Revis announced their breakup after five years of dating. Kennedy spoke about how her relationship with Reavis impacted her life during the filming of the Season 9 reunion, which aired a month later.
“This is not the result of me screwing up my life, Tom. This is a product of truth. The second thing she said was, ‘We are not soulmates.’ For me, it was a real enlightenment. We loved each other, but we realized we didn’t love each other anymore. She made a decision. Her parents always hated me. “It wasn’t easy at all,” he said. Tom Sandoval. “I even became a guy who stopped drinking and changed my whole fucking lifestyle because of this relationship.” [wasn’t enough]. It wasn’t enough. I still have anger issues, but I will never do something like this again. ”
take back his choice
“After two and a half years without a drink, I decided to have a couple of drinks again. After Raquel left, I thought I was married and engaged, but I didn’t know what to do. You know what I mean? I did all this to better myself and it was clearly not enough,” Kennedy said in the season 10 premiere. vanderpump rulesaired in January 2023. “And, frankly, this was a new year. It was 2022, what am I doing? I’m James Kennedy, let me live, like.”
In another conversation with Reavis, Kennedy said that he was able to get sober because of her, adding, “If I quit again, it would be for myself next time, not as a romantic ultimatum.”
start anew
“I don’t drink alcohol, just Red Bull and Fiji water. I meditate every day.” Kennedy said on the season 11 premiere, which aired in January 2023, “I don’t think I’ll ever drink again. ” he revealed. “Ally definitely didn’t give me an ultimatum this time. This is 100 percent my decision. Technically, I’m still California sober. It only makes my day better. ”
make a change
“Obviously, when the Tom and Raquel incident happened, there were a lot of emotions going on. Allie and I used to fight a lot, especially when we were drunk,” Kennedy told Vander in February 2024. At Pump Rule, he recalled how he came to drink. “Then she stayed at a friend’s house for two nights. When she got home, the cat was gone. She was so upset because it was empty and she didn’t have the energy that she had before. At that moment, I I would do anything to get her back.”
He added: “The last time I stopped drinking was because of a relationship. I was sober for two and a half years, but I decided it was time to quit.” This time I’m doing it for myself. Because I’m doing it for myself, it’s going to make my life better, my relationships better, my friendships better, my career better. I’ve seen these benefits before, but I’d love to see them again. ”
focus on yourself
“It’s not easy to get through difficult moments, but I am determined to learn, grow, and move forward with an amazing support system around me,” Kennedy wrote on Instagram.
After news of Kennedy’s arrest made headlines, his legal team released a statement on his behalf.
After he was released on $20,000 bail, his lawyers said in a statement to Barron’s: “We are conducting our own investigation into the charges brought against Mr. James by the Burbank Police Department. ” he said. “We know there were no injuries, and we hope that after careful consideration, the city’s attorney will decide not to file formal charges.”