Ally Lewber Says James Kennedy Has Been ‘Grieving' the ‘VPR’ Cast Shakeup

James Kennedy and Ally Lewber.

Ally Lewber shared new insight into how her boyfriend, James Kennedy, handled the news of Vanderpump Rules getting a full cast shakeup for season 12.

Lewber, 28, exclusively told Us Weekly at her Tuesday, December 3, Dogsgiving event with Real Mesa dog food that Kennedy, 32, was “grieving and just feeling [his] emotions” the day he got the news about the future of the Bravo show.

“I was at the airport because I was flying to Hilton Head for Thanksgiving. James was at home, and he got a call from the producers saying it was a great run, but time’s up basically. I don’t know, something like that. It was much nicer than that,” Lewber recalled. “I wasn’t there so I didn’t get to see him, but I would call and check in and he’d be like, ‘I’m fine.’ He was just going to the gym and doing his thing, but I could just tell he was a little low. But I think he was reflecting.”

Lewber was a recurring cast member on VPR for seasons 10 and 11 while Kennedy first appeared on season 2 of the reality series before becoming a main cast member during season 4. Although Lewber noted that the show’s new direction “wasn’t a huge shock for the couple,” she said it still took time for Kennedy to process the official announcement.

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“I think he was just like, ‘Wow, that was crazy.’ It was just an insane part of his life and such an important part of his life. I think he’s so proud — I know he’s so proud— of where he’s at now compared to where he started the show,” she said. “So, I think it’s just gratitude and looking back and going, ‘Holy s—. We just did that, and now we can move on.’”

Bravo announced on November 26 that season 12 of VPR will feature Lisa Vanderpump and a new group of “close-knit SUR-vers who are as complicatedly involved with one another as their iconic predecessors.” The new season begins production next year.

After the news broke, Kennedy was among the VPR stars who shared his thoughts via Instagram.

“I can’t lie, I’m holding back some tears as I write this. It’s been a pleasure being a part of Vanderpump Rules and filling your TV screens with our lives over the past decade. I’ve dedicated my life to this show and I’m forever grateful to everyone who tuned in,” he wrote in an Instagram statement. “It’s been a wild ride and I’m excited to see what the future holds. Although this is a bittersweet ending, for me, this is just the beginning! THANK YOU.”

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The show documented Kennedy’s relationships with Kristen Doute, Rachel “Raquel” Leviss and Lewber, as well as his decision to get sober and his DJ career. Lewber, who has been dating Kennedy since 2022, told Us that she is “not necessarily” missing the cameras.

“When [we’re] filming, we are really locked in for those few months, so without the camera, life is really much more simple. It’s quiet, it’s peaceful. I do miss seeing people and having those friendships and getting to see them every day, but it’s just different,” she said. “It’s just a bittersweet feeling of [knowing] that chapter’s closed, but it’s also really freeing at the same time. Like, ‘OK, we can just go live our lives and not worry about what storylines we have or what we have to share.’”

As for where she and Kennedy stand with the other VPR alums, Lewber said that they “see Scheana [Shay] and Brock [Davies] all the time” and are on “really good” terms with Ariana Madix.

“We love [Ariana’s] boyfriend [Daniel Wai], but everyone’s just so busy doing their own thing so it is hard to see everyone,” she added.

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As she and Kennedy settle into their new off-camera reality, Lewber said that Kennedy is traveling and DJing a lot while she is focused on her virtual astrology business.

“During the week [when] we’re both [home], we wake up and I do a couple of my astrology readings in the morning and then he makes us breakfast and we go on a walk with [our dog] Hippie,” Lewber said. “Then we come back and we go to the gym and lay in the house and we go to bed. It’s very simple.”

The pair haven’t ruled out the possibility of a VPR season 12 cameo either.

“[James and Lisa] have a really close relationship, so I would not be surprised at all if James drops in at SUR. Is that planned or a thing? Absolutely not,” Lewber said. “I do think [a VPR cameo is] a possibility. Why not? But who knows?”

With reporting by Amanda Williams