James Kennedy Quotes About His Sobriety Vanderpump Rules
James Kennedy didn’t shy away from discussing his successes – and his failures – on his journey to sobriety.
Bravo viewers got to know Kennedy when he joined Vanderpump Rules in 2015. Starting out as a busboy at Lisa Vanderpump’s SUR restaurant, Kennedy quickly gained wrapped up in a lot of drama on the screen.
Kennedy was often out with his colleagues – from stormy relations with Kristen Dout to his enmity with Jax Taylor and questionable comments about multiple cast members — and his relationship with alcohol didn’t help. After Vanderpump fired Kennedy numerous times, he made efforts to address his addiction issues.
In July 2020, Kennedy announced that he was celebrating one year of sobriety. The professional DJ later admitted that he was “California sober” because marijuana helped him stop drinking alcohol.
Several of Hollywood’s biggest stars have been candid about their journeys to sobriety over the years. Kelly Osbourne, who previously spoke about being sober for six years, revealed in April 2021 that she had relapsed and was working on her next steps. “I’m not proud of it. But I’m back on the right track,” she wrote via (…)
“It helped me quit drinking for good, you know what I mean? I will also quit weed when the time comes,” he told Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen in October 2021 “I don’t feel like I should quit right now, you know? It makes no sense.”
Kennedy added: “It doesn’t hurt me. It does not affect my life negatively. So why quit?”
After him loud split from Rachel “Raquel” LewisKennedy confirmed that he had started drinking again, saying in a February 2023 episode Vanderpump Rules“I’ve learned a lot by not drinking these two years.”
Kennedy considered giving up alcohol after meeting his current girlfriend Eli Luber. Earlier 11th season Vanderpump Rules began airing in January 2024, Luber told Bravo that Kennedy had “changed the most” over the years.
“James, he’s in therapy, he’s sober, I’m really proud of him,” she said that same month.
Kennedy turned to sobriety in December 2024 after being arrested for domestic violence. “I’m trying to make some big changes in my life,” he wrote via Instagram Story. “I’m taking time to focus on my sobriety, personal growth and being around my loved ones.”
The charges against Kennedy were dropped a month later, and Luber confirmed their split that same month.
“I’m happy the prosecutors chose not to press charges against James because I never wanted criminal charges,” Luber wrote via her Instagram story, explaining that while she and Kennedy did get into an “argument” at his home in December 2024, she was “physically unharmed”.
She added: “We are no longer together, but I will always support James and wish him the best with his sobriety and recovery.”
Keep reading to see Kennedy’s heartfelt quotes about sobriety:
Stop drinking
Kennedy exclusively said Us Weekly about the benefits of sobrietyshared in August 2019, “I’m 10 weeks (sober) this Friday. It was very good. Everything is beautiful. I was focusing on my sobriety and it was going really well. … (My) music has been so good lately. I did not delay with it.’
Making changes
During the speech at WWHL in March 2020 Kennedy attributed to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings to help him.
“Because of all the drinking and stuff, I was really hiding from my true emotions and just blaming everything I wanted to get the easy way out,” he explained. “I will be nine months sober. I haven’t had a drink in almost nine months and I just feel completely different.’
Kennedy continued, “I’ve really taken control of my life and I’m trying to change it for the better and change our relationship for the better. I know I have to do it for myself, but I’m also doing it for my relationship with Raquel.”
A milestone celebration
“Hey everyone just wanted to let you all know that today I made it to my first year of sobriety. Quitting drinking was the best decision I ever made and I will be strong. I don’t miss the booze … I don’t miss the feelings …. I am so grateful for everything now and life has become more beautiful in so many ways,” Kennedy captioned an Instagram post in July 2020. “Thank you to my rock @raquelleviss for getting me here I couldn’t have done it without you my love.♥️ and thank you all for your support this past year.”
I am proud of the steps he has taken
On the eve of his two-year anniversary, Kennedy reflected on the lessons he’s learned while staying sober.
“This is thanks. It’s feeling so grateful for my sobriety. I wake up every day thanking God that I have it,” he said And! News in May 2021 “My life has been so much better since I quit drinking. I never have a hangover, I can focus more on my music. My relationships and friendships are great. When I see these amazing things happening right before my eyes, why would I want to go back?”
Kennedy admitted that he had to deal a feeling of “absence” and added: “I got over it, the first six months I was still struggling with the whole, ‘Well, everyone else is going to go out and have fun, but I’m not.’ When I got over that hump and realized I could have just as much fun, if not more, than everyone else who was drinking.’
He concluded: “It was like a light bulb went on in my head and it’s just amazing. Like now I’m walking into a room where people are drinking everywhere and I’m just so happy that I’m not doing that, you know? I’m just grateful and it feels so good. I can still be the life of the party, I can still be my charismatic self and I still chat even more than most people do to drink, they drink just to chat more. But I never needed it, and I never realized I didn’t need alcohol until I gave it up. So being able to stay sober was thankfully the easiest part of it.”
While some things never change, the Vanderpump Rules cast is used to being shaken up … and retouched. Vanderpump Rules was introduced to Bravo viewers during a special episode of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills in January 2013. Season 1 starred Lisa Vanderpump, who at the time was a Beverly Hills housewife, Stassi (…)
Trying California Sobriety
According to Kennedy, being “sober in California” meant that he smoked marijuana and consumed edibles on a daily basis.
“It’s wild, and it’s bliss. I thank God every day for my sobriety, to be honest,” he said WWHL in October 2021 “Thank you (Raquel) giving up alcohol was the best decision I ever made. … It’s just wonderful. I don’t wake up every morning with a hangover, I’m just ready for life. And I know it sounds cliche, but it’s honestly so good.”
Thinking over your decision
In December 2021, Kennedy and Lewis announced their separation after five years of dating. Kennedy discussed how his relationship with Lewis affected his life during filming season 9 reunion that aired a month later.
“It’s not a product of me fixing my damn life, Tom. It is a product of truth. The second time she said, “We are not soul mates.” It was a royal epiphany for me. I realized that we loved each other, but we are not in love with each other anymore. She made her decision. Her parents always hated me. It was never easy,” he said Tom Sandoval. “Even becoming a man who quit drinking and changed his whole damn lifestyle for this relationship (wasn’t enough). It wasn’t enough. I still have anger issues and I will never do it again.”
Walk his choice back
“After two and a half years without a single drop, I decided to drink again, drink a couple of drinks. After Raquel left, I thought I was getting married, I was engaged, you know what I mean? After everything I did to better myself, it clearly wasn’t enough,” Kennedy said during the season 10 premiere Vanderpump Ruleswhich aired in January 2023. “And honestly, it’s been a hell of a new year. It was 2022, you know what I’m doing? I’m King James Kennedy. Like, let me live.”
In a separate conversation with Lewis, Kennedy said he’s sobered up because of her, adding: “If I’m going to leave again, it’s going to be for me next time, not a relationship ultimatum.”
Starting anew
“I don’t drink. Just Red Bulls and Fiji water. I meditate every day. I don’t think I’ll ever drink again,” Kennedy said on the season 11 premiere, which aired in January 2023. “Ellie definitely didn’t give me an ultimatum this time. This is 100 percent my decision. I’m technically still sober in California. It just makes my day.”
Making changes
“Obviously there was a lot of emotion when things happened with Tom and Raquel. Eli and I used to fight a lot. Especially when I was drunk,” Kennedy recalled on “Vanderpump Rules” in February 2024 about what led him to sobriety. “Then she went and stayed at her friend’s house for two nights. I came home, and there are no cats. I was very upset because it was empty and didn’t have the energy it used to have. At that moment, I was ready to do anything to get her back.”
He added: “The last time I quit drinking was for a relationship. I quit drinking for two and a half years, and then I decided, “This is it.” This time I’m doing it for myself. Because I am doing this for myself, it will improve my life, better my relationships, friendships and career. I have seen these benefits before and I definitely want to see them again.”
Focusing on yourself
“It’s not easy going through difficult times, but I’m determined to learn, grow and move forward with an incredible 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.
“We are conducting our own investigation into the allegations made by the Burbank Police Department against James,” his attorneys said in a statement to us after he was released on $20,000 bail. “It is our understanding that there were no injuries, and we hope that after a careful review, the city attorneys will decide not to file formal charges.”
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