James Kennedy's Relationship History From Kristen Doute to Ally Lewber
The See You Next Tuesday DJ had a number of relationships before the stars aligned for him.
DJ got us falling in love? In the years since he joined the Vanderpump Rules family, James Kennedy has found himself tied up in multiple romances with multiple costars. While truly so much has happened since Season 3, fans might remember James's introduction to the show, when the young Brit (he was in his early 20s at the time) began dating Kristen Doute following her breakup from Tom Sandoval.
Keep reading to discover more of the Bravoleb's relationship history, including his current love, Ally Lewber.
James Kennedy and Kristen Doute
When James joined Vanderpump Rules as a friend in Season 3, he was the younger man working at SUR and dating OG cast member Kristen Doute.
"For the last five months, James and I have been dating. He's 22. He's British," Kristen explained during Season 3, Episode 1. "He's really good to me."
While they definitely had their ups and downs that season, it was in Season 4 (James's first as a full-time cast member) that things really went down. Early on, James revealed in a confessional that he'd cheated on Kristen with a woman named Jenna, initially lying to his girlfriend about the infidelity on-camera.
"I feel bad about lying to Kristen, but, at the same time, I had good sex with Jenna. I don't regret what happened with her," shared James during Episode 3. "But I love Kristen, don't get me wrong."
In September 2015, news broke that the pair had split — a situation fans watched play out in the parking lot of SUR during Season 4, Episode 4.
James Kennedy and Lala Kent
While they never officially dated, close friends James and Lala Kent engaged in their fair share of flirtation over the years — with some confirmed hookups along the way, too. Right before James and Kristen broke up, he asked his "Feeling You" collaborator out. The pair also shared a kiss.
"James the DJ. I've never been one to go for the little skinny guys. I don't know what it is about him," Lala shared in Season 4, Episode 3.
In Season 4, Episode 6, Lala called James "the dude I'm making out with and making music with," but their relationship eventually progressed to the point where she needed to put some rules, if not labels, on the situation.
"We're friends that make out, and you can have anybody touch your peep, [but] you can never get mad if anything happens, because I've laid it out," she told James in Episode 14 after he began to get jealous of her other beaus. She also made up another rule: "No sleeping together."
Nevertheless, they eventually hooked up during the Season 4 finale. Six seasons later — during the Season 10 reunion — the pair admitted to having hooking up another time while they were both in other relationships.
At BravoCon 2023, James's current girlfriend, Ally, was asked how she feels about James' close friendship with Lala, given their history.
“I think I was nervous going into it. But then when I met her she really was amazing. And she's almost been like a big sister to me, and I really love her and appreciate her and respect her a lot," Ally explained. “I feel like at first I was a little hesitant, but now I love her. And I tell her all the time, I'm like, she's literally James in a girl form. And I love James, so love her too."
James Kennedy and Rachel Leviss
James met Rachel Leviss at a New Year's party in 2016 and fell hard, fast. The pair announced their relationship via Instagram the following Valentine's Day and Rachel made an appearance as a guest in the Season 5 premiere of Vanderpump Rules.
"She's just the most beautiful soul I've ever met in my life. I'm blushing now," James said to The Daily Dish in March 2017. "She's just a beautiful soul inside and out, and I couldn't be luckier."
In May 2021, James proposed at a Coachella-themed party in Palm Springs but, by that end of the year, they'd decided to split, calling off their engagement right before filming the Season 9 reunion in December 2021.
"After these five wonderful years we had together, we decided we have two different goals and made the decision to call off the engagement,” they said in a joint statement at the time. “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.”
James Kennedy and Ally Lewber
It was written in the stars! James began dating astrologer Ally Lewber in January 2022, and she made her VPR debut in Season 10, Episode 1. Today, they share a dog (Hippie), a cat (Mr. Banks). and a house. James has called Ally the "love of his life."
During BravoCon 2023, the duo opened up about the prospect of marriage and engagement.
“James bought a house this year. We’re now doggy parents, so yeah, things are going great,” Ally shared during the Vanderpump Rules cast panel. “I don’t think we’re in a huge rush for that. We’re really content with where we’re at… we’re good.”
Still, James definitely sees a future with Ally.
“Obviously, I love Ally more than anything, and I see [marriage] in our future. But, again, we’re not rushing anything. It’s been an amazing year… I’m over the moon. I haven’t been this filled with joy in so long. I love our little family and our little house in Burbank, and everything is just sweet," he said.
