“I never realized how much alcohol was slowing me down and making me procrastinate in big life things that I could be pursuing now,” Kennedy says.
Reality TV star James Kennedy is enjoying his newfound sobriety. The Vanderpump Rules star, who infamously showcased his heavy drinking on the show, spoke to People during BravoCon, a convention dedicated to all things related to the popular basica cable channel that is home to Rules and the Real Housewives franchise.
“I don’t drink anymore,” the 27-year-old told People. “I’m five months sober now. It’s been incredible.”
Going Public With His Sobriety
Kennedy first went public with his sober journey on Instagram back in August. In the post, he announced that he was coming upon four weeks of sobriety and fans showered him with support. Prior to becoming sober, Kennedy’s problematic relationship with alcohol was highlighted on the show as he lost work due to his drinking and hurt many friendships that he had cultivated with other stars of the show.
“I never realized how much alcohol was slowing me down and making me procrastinate in big life things that I could be pursuing now,” he told People during BravoCon. “My career is getting even bigger and my deejaying is really taking off so I’m taking it seriously. I’m going to take over!”
Now that’s he sober, he has had to learn to deal with stage fright and anxiety without the aid of alcohol.
“I’m dealing with all the anxiety and pre-show jitters without drowning myself in vodka,” he described. “You’ll see this season what I do to actually get over alcohol, it was a process for sure. I take it day by day and keep it gangsta.”
Lala’s Sober Journey
Kennedy’s Vanderpump Rules castmate Lala Kent is also thriving in sobriety, having just celebrated her first-year sober in October. Kent opened up about her decision to become sober back in March.
“Five months ago, I came to the realization that I am an alcoholic, and I am now a friend of Bill W., which you will never know how much this program means to me [and] has given me new life,” Kent said in an Instagram story, according to People.
“I always say if you don’t have to be sober, I wouldn’t recommend it, but me—as someone who does need to be sober—being in my right frame of mind every single day is truly incredible. When I’m having the roughest day that I could possibly have, I—for once in a very, very long time—see the light at the end of the tunnel. I know that tomorrow I’m gonna be okay,” Kent said.
