JAMES Kennedy's girlfriend Ally Lewber put on a brave face and spoke about their "new era" just a day after he was secretly arrested.
Ally turned up alone to her clothing event in West Hollywood on Wednesday night, but gave no hint of trouble with the Bravo star.
Kennedy was booked for misdemeanor domestic violence early Wednesday morning after an argument with a woman at a Burbank home, TMZ first reported.
An eyewitness reportedly saw James, 32, and the woman arguing and at one point he grabbed her, although officers did not see any visible injuries on her.
The U.S. Sun can confirm James was arrested on December 10 at 11.50 pm and was booked into jail at 1.10 am on December 11.
He was released on $20,000 bail at 2.57 am.
Burbank City Attorney's Office is currently reviewing the case for possible charges.
The night of the arrest, the couple had attended socialite Kathy Hilton's Christmas party together at her home with other Bravo stars.
ALLY ALONE
On Wednesday evening, hours after James was released from jail, Ally showed up to her Windsor Store event at the Short Stories Hotel and was joined by her team and friends.
The U.S. Sun was in attendance, and Ally told guests she had suggested James stay at home, as they'd had a busy week.
She added that he is not a fan of big crowds during the holidays, because he's sober from alcohol.
I think it's like grieving and just a sense of like, letting it go."
Ally Lewber on the decision to recast Vanderpump
Ally made no mention of any trouble in the relationship and told The U.S. Sun they were looking forward to the future after the "bittersweet" news the Vanderpump Rules cast was being replaced.
Ally, 28, said James received a phone call from producers the day before the news was publicly announced.
"They said basically like, ‘Hey, great run. I'm just letting you know because it's going to be announced tomorrow. You guys were great, but we're moving in a different direction,'" she exclusively told The U.S. Sun.
"And James, I think he took it really well, you know, for James. He feels things in the moment, and then he accepts it.
"I wasn't with him but he called me and told me, and I was like, 'How are you? How are you?'
"You kind of knew something was going to happen. Then when you find out the news, you're like, oh, it kind of hits you. Like that part of my life is over.
"And I think it's like grieving and just a sense of like, letting it go, reflecting, having gratitude. It's just bittersweet. It's like graduating high school or something."
She went on to gush about their relationship and that they are looking forward to not having cameras on them 24/7.
Ally explained, "I do feel like we can now just like live our lives and not worry about like, ‘Oh, what's our storyline going to be like? What drama do we have to share?’
"That isn't healthy and I feel like we're both just trying to enter this new era of our life and clear-mindedness and I'm obviously into spirituality and health. So I feel like this is the right time."
RULES STARS REPLACED
Bravo has replaced the current cast after the 'Scandoval' fallout with Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix resulted in tension and a split in the friendship group.
They have now cast fresh faces from Lisa Vanderpump's bar in West Hollywood, where the original stars worked as servers when the show first aired in 2013.
Ally revealed to The U.S. Sun she felt James and Scheana Shay were likely the ones most upset over the change, while Ariana was happy to walk away.
She said, "I haven't spoken to everyone, but this is just my two cents.
"I think Ariana's probably the happiest. She doesn't have to film with Tom, she's got amazing opportunities ahead of her.
"And then I think the saddest would be Scheana. I know that she is okay with it and has like fully accepted it, but I feel like she and James because they're both emotional.
"And I think that they've just really given it their all over the last however many years. And I think they're also both very family-oriented when you think about it ... and so they are a family and I think it's more of the like nostalgia of it all."
Asked if she thinks James is going to miss the paycheck, she laughed, "No. Not really, no. I see people talking about the money, and I get it. I mean, I'm not worried about the money.
"Luckily, James with like his DJing, his shows have really picked up. He's got a Vegas residency. He's fine in the career department, he has a career. And he's making a great amount of money."
Ally, who is also working as an astrologer, admitted she was surprised producers chose not to rename the show for the reboot.
"They do have big shoes to fill. I think it was a little like, ‘Oh, there is a season 12, but it’s completely new’. Rename it.
FUTURE PLANS
"Unfortunately, I feel like people love to draw comparisons. That's why I wish it was just its own separate thing so that they could kind of form [their own identity].
"But, I'm not a producer. I think that people love good TV so as long as they deliver, I really think the fans will be happy and I hope that they are.
"I love Sur. We were just there the other day. James and I will always love Sur. We love Guillermo. We love Lisa. Sur will always have a place in our hearts and we'll always visit. So we wish everyone there well."
Ally spoke positively about her boyfriend of two years, saying she'd love to see him on TV again but they are not looking to join the cast of Vanderpump spin-off, The Valley.
She insisted, "It's not on the cards. I don't think that we're feeling like a pull there. And I think we’re just moving on and looking for something different.
"I want to see James on Traitors. I think it would be so fun. Like like little fun shows like that.
"I think that I'm good. I think that James though ... he’s just so funny and I think that he was destined to be on TV. So I absolutely know James will be on TV again. He's just gonna find his way.
"I know he's excited too to just lean more into the music and to finally maybe reach an audience outside of Bravo. And he's so grateful.
"I never want to say that in a sense where it's like, moving on, but it's just expanding. And like Bravo, we would both have nothing without Bravo. We're so grateful.
"I'm so grateful for people who book readings with me. I'm so grateful for this event tonight."
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or chat at thehotline.org.
