‘Vanderpump Rules’ Stars Weigh In on Raquel Leviss and James Kennedy’s Split: Ariana, Tom and More

Credit: Broadimage/Shutterstock

‘Vanderpump Rules’ Stars Weigh In on Raquel Leviss and James Kennedy's Split: Ariana, Tom and More

Offering their support (and sharing their insight). Raquel Leviss and James Kennedy surprised Vanderpump Rules viewers when they announced their split after five years of dating — but fans were not the only ones shocked by the news. Days after the pair filmed the Vanderpump Rules reunion in December, Leviss and Kennedy issued a joint statement on their social media confirming the breakup. "After these 5 wonderful years we had together, we decided we have two different goals and made the decision to call off the engagement," they wrote in identical Instagram statements on December 5. "We love each other very much, but we aren't in love anymore. We want nothing but the best for each other so please keep any thoughts positive. Sending Love." During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen on December 7, the longtime host discussed the news with Ariana Madix and Tom Sandoval after he revealed that the entire cast found out about the split "for the very first time" during the season 9 reunion, which will air in 2022. Although Madix didn't expect for her friends to part ways, there were signs that she was concerned about, explaining, "I say this with nothing but love in my heart for James, I think when he stopped drinking and became sober there were other issues that he was not going to — his refusal to go to real therapy honestly is a huge red flag for me." [jwplayer YpWmxLiE-zhNYySv2] That same day, the U.K. native addressed his plans for the future after confirming the major life change. "Last day of filming today and what a year it has been (to say the least) today one chapter ends and a new chapter truly begins for me," Kennedy captioned a photo of himself via Instagram on December 7. "Not sure what I’m going to do but I do know one thing, I will continue my journey without alcohol, I will find my true self and the music never dies. Thank you to all my friends that have reached out I appreciate you all so much. Cheers." After Leviss and Kennedy decided to go their separate ways, a source exclusively told Us Weekly that they were in a "tumultuous relationship" that lead up to the "hard decision." "They both want different things," the insider shared. "They don't have love anymore in terms of a romantic relationship, but they still have love for each other as friends. ... They're really trying to figure out what their lives look like now that they've split. They have a lot of admiration and respect for each other." At the time, the source noted that although Bravo hasn't decided whether the reality series will be renewed for season 10, “James does want Raquel to continue with the show.” Scroll down to see which Vanderpump Rules stars have discussed Leviss and Kennedy's surprising split: [podcast_block]

Credit: Broadimage/Shutterstock

‘Vanderpump Rules’ Stars Weigh In on Raquel Leviss and James Kennedy's Split: Ariana, Tom and More

Offering their support (and sharing their insight). Raquel Leviss and James Kennedy surprised Vanderpump Rules viewers when they announced their split after five years of dating — but fans were not the only ones shocked by the news. Days after the pair filmed the Vanderpump Rules reunion in December, Leviss and Kennedy issued a joint statement on their social media confirming the breakup. "After these 5 wonderful years we had together, we decided we have two different goals and made the decision to call off the engagement," they wrote in identical Instagram statements on December 5. "We love each other very much, but we aren't in love anymore. We want nothing but the best for each other so please keep any thoughts positive. Sending Love." During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen on December 7, the longtime host discussed the news with Ariana Madix and Tom Sandoval after he revealed that the entire cast found out about the split "for the very first time" during the season 9 reunion, which will air in 2022. Although Madix didn't expect for her friends to part ways, there were signs that she was concerned about, explaining, "I say this with nothing but love in my heart for James, I think when he stopped drinking and became sober there were other issues that he was not going to — his refusal to go to real therapy honestly is a huge red flag for me." [jwplayer YpWmxLiE-zhNYySv2] That same day, the U.K. native addressed his plans for the future after confirming the major life change. "Last day of filming today and what a year it has been (to say the least) today one chapter ends and a new chapter truly begins for me," Kennedy captioned a photo of himself via Instagram on December 7. "Not sure what I’m going to do but I do know one thing, I will continue my journey without alcohol, I will find my true self and the music never dies. Thank you to all my friends that have reached out I appreciate you all so much. Cheers." After Leviss and Kennedy decided to go their separate ways, a source exclusively told Us Weekly that they were in a "tumultuous relationship" that lead up to the "hard decision." "They both want different things," the insider shared. "They don't have love anymore in terms of a romantic relationship, but they still have love for each other as friends. ... They're really trying to figure out what their lives look like now that they've split. They have a lot of admiration and respect for each other." At the time, the source noted that although Bravo hasn't decided whether the reality series will be renewed for season 10, “James does want Raquel to continue with the show.” Scroll down to see which Vanderpump Rules stars have discussed Leviss and Kennedy's surprising split: [podcast_block]

Credit: Tommy Garcia/Bravo

Tom Schwartz

"It was very amicable. It was incredibly mature the way he handled it," Schwartz explained on WWHL in January 2022.

When host Andy Cohen noted that Kennedy seemed "relatively crushed" while filming the season 9 reunion, the bar owner replied, "He was a shell [of himself]."

Credit: Shutterstock (3)

Lala Kent

"I was very shocked by their breakup. I really thought they were going to get married and have kids and be together forever," the former SUR hostess said during an appearance on WWHL in January 2022. "Even though I thought James was a huge personality, it is hard to play keep up with someone like James, so that always worried me. But I definitely thought that they would make it."

Credit: Gregory Pace/Shutterstock

Ariana Madix

During a December appearance on WWHL, the former SUR bartender revealed that she spent time with the exes before they announced their split, saying, "We were just at Disneyland with them, like, two days before and I never would have thought anything was amiss, so we were very shocked."

Credit: John Salangsang/Shutterstock

Tom Sandoval

The TomTom cofounder referred to the breakup news as "probably the most surprising moment that we've had on Vanderpump Rules [in years]" while on WWHL in December.

Credit: Gregory Pace/Shutterstock

Katie Maloney

The 'You're Gonna Love Me' podcast host admitted during a December episode of WWHL, "I was shocked [by the breakup]. Honestly, I felt a little misty eyed because I did not see that coming."

Credit: Broadimage/Shutterstock

Brock Davies and Scheana Shay

"I'm new to the group so it was definitely a shock because that's what we saw them as — a couple," Davies noted on WWHL, while Shay added, "We've been so close with them and there was just no mention of trouble in paradise."