Bravo Reportedly Investigated VPR's James Kennedy, And Fans Are Disgusted

Former Vanderpump Rules star James Kennedy was arrested on December 10, and new reports suggest that Bravo looked into his actions as part of an investigation last year — suggesting they knew something was amiss.

Editor’s note: This article contains mentions of domestic violence, or may be otherwise triggering to survivors. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please visit thehotline.org to connect with confidential help. Assistance is available 24/7/365.

News of James' misdemeanor domestic violence arrest was made public on December 12, and VPR fans felt both vindicated and frustrated.

Specifically, viewers broadly opined that it was a "matter of time" before James' on-screen behavior would culminate in off-screen harm.

On the day the news broke, VPR fans immediately pointed to what they said was a clear pattern of his behavior evident on the reality TV show:

"Shocker. James has always been abusive towards his girlfriends. People didn’t believe Kristen [Doute] because she’s 'crazy.' People didn’t believe Rachel [Leviss] because of her affair."

"Maybe the people constantly praising him and [his current girlfriend Ally Lewber] saying 'she changed him!!!!' will finally stop. BEING A GOOD WOMAN DOES NOT STOP SOMEONE FROM ABUSING YOU. he is sick."

His previous relationships with ex-girlfriends Kristen Doute and Rachel Leviss were sticking points for fans, who felt that Rachel's experiences were dismissed because of her involvement with "Scandoval," whereas Kristen was disregarded as "crazy."

No complainant was identified in the police report from the night of James' arrest, but his live-in girlfriend, Ally Lewber, was spotted moving to an Airbnb last weekend — hinting that her decision to vacate their home had to do with his arrest.

From the outset, Vanderpump Rules fans were out of patience for what they felt was Bravo's failure to protect the women on the show, and a new report claiming the network investigated claims about James last year did nothing to assuage their anger.

Bravo Allegedly 'Found Nothing'

Bravo is no stranger to claims (and lawsuits) alleging that the network prioritizes ratings over cast members' safety, an issue raised repeatedly this year.

On December 18, Page Six was first to report that the network investigated James' behavior:

"Sources tell Page Six that in the fall of 2023 a whistleblower — who is a production insider — alerted Evolution Media, the production company that makes the show for Bravo, to a laundry list of claims about Kennedy that had either been floating around behind the scenes of the show, been hinted at publicly, or even mentioned during tapings of the show."

Anonymous "sources" are not, by themselves, as convincing as "on the record" statements and information, although it's not uncommon for individuals with information to require anonymity to speak.

However, US Weekly later obtained similar information about Bravo's purported 2023 investigation into James' behavior, and indicated that the effort was unproductive:

"Bravo followed up on claims that James Kennedy was violent with women one year before his domestic violence arrest, Us Weekly can confirm.

"'There was an investigation, but they found nothing,' a source close to the situation told Us. 'It was inconclusive, so nothing happened.'"

Again, fans were disappointed but not surprised to hear Bravo reportedly tried – perhaps not too hard – to assess whether James compromised the safety of other cast members.

On Reddit's r/Vanderpumpaholics, fans of VPR were largely in agreement on that point, as evidenced by a top comment on that thread:

Their 'investigation' was probably more of a risk/reward analysis.

In other words, the viewer suggested Bravo's alleged investigation was less about safety, and more about how finding a problem might impact ratings.

Another fan said that Bethenny Frankel "was right," and that "Bravo really needs to be sued."

One viewer cited rumored issues with other franchises on Bravo too, writing:

"Bravo won't lose money over this. James will. But bravo also filmed Taylor Armstrong's abuse, f****** chilling white party footage, and they don't care.

"Also the naked wasted episode of OC as well. I have never seen it but from everything I've heard it's absolutely disgusting."

Several Vanderpump Rules fans expressed distrust of Andy Cohen, and one left a stark and direct comment: "Andy Cohen and Bravo 100% hate women and have no issue profiting off their suffering."