James Kennedy, a star of the reality show Vanderpump Rules, was arrested on December 10 on charges of misdemeanor domestic battery following an alleged altercation at his Los Angeles home. The 32-year-old DJ is accused of lifting an unidentified woman and throwing her to the ground, according to Burbank Police Department records obtained by People and TMZ.
Police were called to Kennedy's residence around 11:30 p.m. after receiving a report of an "unknown problem." Upon arrival, officers interviewed both Kennedy and the woman involved. The police report states that the woman claimed her boyfriend had picked her up and thrown her during the altercation.
Kennedy was taken into custody shortly after midnight and booked on domestic battery charges. He was later released on $20,000 bail. Formal charges are still pending and are under review by the Burbank City Attorney's office.
Kennedy's attorney, Scott Leemon, released a statement on December 13, saying, "We are in the process of conducting our own investigation into the allegations levied by the Burbank Police Department against James. We understand that there were no injuries, and we are hoping that, after careful review, the city's attorneys will decide not to file formal charges."
A venue just cancelled James Kennedy’s DJ gig…. pic.twitter.com/GSQ6EPCAQT — Bye Wig Hello Drama (@nosmokenomore) December 14, 2024
The identity of the woman has not been disclosed, and it remains unclear if the individual involved is Kennedy's girlfriend, Ally Lewber. Both Kennedy and Lewber were reportedly seen earlier that evening at Kathy Hilton's annual holiday party. Witnesses described Kennedy's behavior at the event as "super aggressive" and erratic, with one source claiming, "He was acting so erratic, running back and forth to the bar and body-checking people along the way." Despite attending the party together, Kennedy and Lewber were said to have spent most of the evening apart.
The Burbank Police Department confirmed that officers responded to the incident as a domestic matter. "The investigation determined it was a domestic incident, leading to [Kennedy's] arrest," a spokesperson said. "Formal charges are pending review."
Reports suggest that no visible injuries were observed on the woman at the scene, but law enforcement made the arrest based on the statements provided. Police have not released additional details about the incident or the woman involved.
The allegations mark a troubling chapter for Kennedy, a central figure on Vanderpump Rules, who has previously been open about his struggles with alcohol. His behavior at the holiday party, described by witnesses as agitated and unsteady, has fueled speculation about his sobriety.
This incident follows a night that began with celebrations but ended with significant consequences for Kennedy. The legal proceedings will now determine whether the city's attorneys move forward with charges.
For those experiencing domestic violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 1-800-799-7233 or via thehotline.org. The hotline offers confidential and free support 24/7 in over 170 languages.
