Burbank police have confirmed to Variety that they were dispatched to a home in the area Tuesday night after getting a call about Kennedy, whose real name is James Kennedy Georgiou, getting into an argument with a woman: “On December 10, 2024, at about 11:30 pm, Burbank Police were dispatched to a residence regarding an argument between a man and a woman. The investigation persistent it was a domestic incident, leading to Mr. georgiou’s arrest.”
“Mr.Georgiou was booked for misdemeanor domestic violence and later posted bail.Formal charges are pending review by the Burbank City Attorney’s office,” the spokesperson said. Kennedy was charged with misdemeanor domestic violence and released after posting a $20,000 bail. TMZ first broke the news of Kennedy’s arrest.
Kennedy was a cast member on Bravo’s “Vanderpump rules” dating back to Season 4,after appearing in guest and recurring roles in the second and third seasons. He began working as a busboy at Lisa Vanderpump’s restaurant SUR and is now a popular DJ. Over the course of “Vanderpump Rules,” Kennedy was known for his extremes (including with drinking), and at times would try to be “California sober,” meaning he would stop drinking and doing other drugs, but would smoke weed to help him not drink.
In the show’s ninth season, Kennedy got engaged on camera to his then-girlfriend Rachel Leviss, who would later become best known for her part in the cheating scandal among the cast termed the “Scandoval.” Kennedy and Leviss had a tumultuous relationship,and they broke up after Season 9 concluded. On Thursday, Leviss’ attorneys Mark Geragos and Bryan Freedman issued a statement, pointing the finger at Bravo, NBC and Evolution, the production company that makes “Vanderpump Rules.” In a lawsuit that’s making its way through the courts, Leviss is suing her former fellow castmates Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix, who were a couple until Madix discovered that Sandoval was cheating on her with Leviss.
“We are aware of James Kennedy’s recent arrest for domestic violence,” the statement reads. “This news is, unfortunately, not surprising. Rachel’s lawsuit describes, in meaningful detail, Mr. Kennedy’s long history of erratic, violent behavior and substance abuse. Just as troubling, however, is that NBC and Evolution (the Vanderpump Rules production company), who have known about Mr. Kennedy’s troubling behavior all along, have been engaged in a multi-year cover-up on his behalf. They, too, bear duty.”
On top of all that, earlier this year, questions about Kennedy’s behavior toward his ex-girlfriend Kristen Doute — once a “Vanderpump Rules” star who’s now on “The Valley” — spread throughout the Bravosphere.Doute, viewers thought, had written about him without naming him in her 2020 book “He’s Making You Crazy: How to Get the Guy, Get Even, and Get Over It.” in the book, Doute wrote about a relationship she characterized as verbally abusive, writing: “And then it escalated. Broken furniture, shattered picture frames, doors slamming and holes punched in my wall. Once that line had been crossed, it was only a matter of time before he put his hands on me: shoving, pushing, and physical restraint.” On Thursday, on her Instagram Stories, Doute posted a screenshot of TMZ and wrote “FINALLY.”
Additionally, Bravo stars Tamra Judge (of “The Real Housewives of Orange County”) and Teddi Mellencamp (formerly of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills”) inserted themselves into this story, when on their “Two Ts in a Pod” podcast they alluded to a fight Kennedy and Lewber had in front of them in a limousine that got physical — though neither of them gave specifics about what they’d seen.When the vague incident went viral, Lewber then went onto “Vanderpump Rules” cast member Scheana Shay’s “Scheananigans” podcast to deny anything serious had happened. She said that she and Kennedy had gotten into an argument, “but there was no physical assault — I was not bleeding.” She went on to say, “For the record, James has never physically hurt me or assaulted me. And we’re good. We’re happy.”
Kennedy is no longer an employee of Bravo, of course. There was a major “Vanderpump Rules” shake-up last month when Bravo announced that the entire cast would be replaced and the reality show would be rebooted in Season 12.The show hit ratings highs with Season 10 in the wake of the “Scandoval,” but it couldn’t sustain the momentum with Season 11.
Production on the all-new Season 12 will begin next year. The revamped cast, made up of staffers at vanderpump’s restaurants, will be revealed at a later date.
What are the psychological impacts of domestic violence on individuals involved in high-profile relationships?
Interviewer: Good afternoon, and welcome back to Time.news. Today, we have a special guest joining us—Dr. Emily Walker, a psychologist and relationship expert known for her insights on domestic violence and celebrity culture. Thank you for being here, Dr. Walker.
Dr. walker: Thank you for having me. I’m glad to be here to discuss such an important topic.
Interviewer: Let’s dive right into the recent news surrounding James Kennedy, also known as Kennedy from Bravo’s vanderpump Rules. He was arrested for misdemeanor domestic violence after an argument with a woman. As someone who studies domestic relationships, what are your thoughts on the implications of such incidents, especially involving public figures?
Dr. Walker: It’s disheartening to see domestic violence incidents linked to any individual, notably those in the public eye. It can perpetuate harmful narratives about relationships, especially for young viewers who idolize these celebrities. We need to remember that these situations reflect deeper issues that can often go unnoticed or unaddressed.
Interviewer: That’s a crucial point. Kennedy’s experience on Vanderpump Rules has shown him dealing with personal struggles, notably his battle with substance abuse, as he tried to navigate being “California sober.” how can substance use complicate the dynamics within a relationship?
Dr.Walker: Substance use can profoundly affect relationship dynamics. It can led to escalated conflicts, emotional volatility, and difficulty in dialog. For someone like Kennedy, who has openly struggled with alcohol and drug use, it can create both internal and external stressors in relationships. His attempts at a healthier lifestyle, like being “California sober,” indicate awareness but don’t always align with the reality of maintaining a healthy relationship.
Interviewer: His relationship with Rachel Leviss stands out, especially after thier engagement and the subsequent drama surrounding their breakup.How do tumultuous relationships like theirs contribute to patterns of behavior, particularly in high-pressure environments like reality television?
Dr.Walker: Tumultuous relationships, particularly in the glare of public scrutiny, can become a cycle of drama and heightened emotions. In a reality TV setting, the stakes are amplified. Each public interaction can be viewed as a performance, impacting genuine communication and leading participants to act out, perhaps to maintain relevance on-screen. This can create unhealthy relational patterns that may spill over into real life, complicating emotional and psychological well-being.
Interviewer: Given that Kennedy has posted bail and awaits formal charges,what would your advice be to individuals in similar situations who find themselves in the legal spotlight due to domestic incidents?
Dr. Walker: It’s vital to seek professional help, whether through therapy or counseling, to address the underlying issues leading to such incidents. Legal challenges can be overwhelming, but focusing on personal accountability and rehabilitation is key. Additionally, maintaining open communication with those involved—even in challenging circumstances—can definately help navigate the path forward.
Interviewer: With shows like Vanderpump Rules captivating audiences, what responsibility do you think networks like Bravo have in portraying such sensitive topics?
Dr. Walker: Networks have a important responsibility to ensure they depict relationships, especially tumultuous ones, with a degree of care and context. Providing resources or messages about mental health and the realities of domestic violence could help foster understanding among audiences. Reality TV can influence public opinion, so portraying these situations with sensitivity is crucial.
Interviewer: Thank you, Dr. Walker, for sharing your insights today. It’s crucial to have these conversations and understand the implications of such incidents, both in the context of personal relationships and broader societal narratives.
Dr.Walker: Thank you for having me. It’s essential we keep discussing these issues to foster understanding and support for those affected.