James Kennedy and Ali Luber.
Amanda Edwards/Getty ImagesAli Luber shared new insight into how her friend, James Kennedydealt with the news of Vanderpump Rules getting a complete cast change for season 12.
Lewber, 28, exclusively said Us Weekly at her Tuesday, December 3rd 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 Bravo show’s future.
“I was at the airport because I was flying to Hilton Head for Thanksgiving. James was at home and the producers called him saying it was great but time was up. I don’t know, something like that. It was a lot better than that,” Luber 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 tell he was a bit weak. But I think he was reflecting.
Lewber was a recurring cast member VPR for seasons 10 and 11, while Kennedy first appeared in season 2 of the reality series before becoming a main cast member in season 4. Although Luber noted that the show’s new direction “wasn’t a huge shock to the couple” , she said it still took Kennedy time to process the official announcement.
As Us prepares for a brand new version of Vanderpump Rules in 2025, so does the OG cast. Bravo confirmed on Tuesday, November 26 that the show will return for a 12th season with a brand new cast. The upcoming season will feature Lisa Vanderpump and a new group of “close-knit SUR-versions (…)
“I think he was just like, ‘Wow, that was crazy.’ It was just a crazy part of his life and such an important part of his life. I think he’s so proud — I know he is so proud — of where he is now compared to where he started the show,” she said. “So, I think it’s just being thankful and looking back and saying, ‘Gosh…’ We just did that and now we can move on.”
Bravo announced on November 26 that season 12 of the VPR will include Lisa Vanderpump and a a new group of “cohesive SUR-vers which are as intricately interconnected as their iconic predecessors.” The new season begins production next year.
After the news broke, Kennedy was among them VPR stars who shared their thoughts via Instagram.
“I can’t lie, I’m holding back tears as I write this. It’s been a pleasure being a part of Vanderpump Rules and filling your TV screens with our lives for the past decade. I have dedicated my life to this show and am eternally grateful to everyone involved,” he wrote in the Instagram statement. “It’s been a wild ride and I’m excited to see what the future holds. Although it’s a bittersweet ending, for me it’s just the beginning! THANK YOU.
Amanda Edwards/Getty Images James Kennedy hasn’t shied away from discussing his successes — and failures — on his road to sobriety. Bravo viewers were introduced to Kennedy when he joined Vanderpump Rules in 2015. After starting out as a busboy at Lisa Vanderpump’s SUR restaurant, Kennedy quickly became involved in many (…)
The show documents Kennedy’s ties to Kristen Dout, Rachel “Raquel” Lewis and Lewber, as well as his decision to get sober and his DJ career. Luber, who has been dating Kennedy since 2022, said us that she “doesn’t necessarily” miss the cameras.
“When (we’re) shooting, we’re really shut down for those few months, so without the camera life is really a lot simpler. It’s quiet, it’s peaceful. I miss seeing people and having those friendships and seeing them every day, but it’s just different,” she said. “It’s just a bittersweet feeling to (know) that the head is closed, but at the same time, it’s also really liberating. Like, ‘OK, we can just 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 each other VPR alums, Lewber said they “see Scheana (Shay) and Brock (Davis) all the time’ and are on ‘really good’ terms with Ariana Madix.
“We love (Ariana’s) boyfriend (Daniel Water), but everyone is so busy doing their own thing, so it’s hard to see everyone,” she added.
Less than three months after Vanderpump Rules co-stars James Kennedy and Raquel Lewis called off their engagement, he found love with Ali Luber. The England native met the entertainment journalist in January following his split from Levis. “I’m seeing someone,” Kennedy revealed during a February 2022 episode. on Lala Kent’s Give Them Lala podcast. “Look, this is (…)
As she and Kennedy settle into their new off-camera reality, Luber said Kennedy travels and DJs a lot while she’s focused on her virtual astrology business.
“During the week, (when) we’re both (at home), we wake up and I do some of my astrological readings in the morning, then he makes us breakfast and we go for a walk with (our dog) Hippie,” Luber said. “Then we come back and go to the gym and go to the house and go to bed. It’s very simple.”
The couple has not ruled out the possibility of a VPR season 12 cameo.
“(James and Lisa) have a really close relationship, so I wouldn’t be surprised at all if James stopped by SUR. Is this planned or something? Absolutely not,” Leuber said. “I think that (a VPR cameo f) opportunity. why not But who knows?
With reporting by Amanda Williams
