Pump Rules’ Lala Kent and James Kennedy Break Down Their Past Hookups as Tom Sandoval Throws Shade at Randall Emmett Split

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Pump Rules' Lala Kent and James Kennedy Break Down Their Past Hookups as Tom Sandoval Throws Shade at Randall Emmett Split

Spilling all the tea. The season 10 premiere of Vanderpump Rules came with lots of changes — and some serious revelations. During the new episode, which premiered on Wednesday, February 8, Lala Kent dropped a major bombshell about her past with James Kennedy. "James and I when we were both very new in our relationships definitely hooked up," the beauty mogul, 32, told Katie Maloney. "We went to Chicago [in 2016] and we started drinking before we got on the plane. That's why he said I do handstands because I definitely do handstands." Lala and James, 31, previously sparked romance rumors when she joined the cast in season 4. After initially flirting onscreen, the duo played coy about the extent of their connection when cameras weren't rolling. The Utah native was later linked to Randall Emmett while the professional DJ moved on with Raquel Leviss. James and Raquel, 28, who started dating during season 5, were together for five years before they called off their engagement in December 2021. "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 a joint statement at the time. "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." [jwplayer vNFCMqhE-zhNYySv2] One month later, the pair discussed what led them to pull the plug on their relationship. "I didn't want to give up on him because he really has shown me how dedicated he is to me, and the things that he is willing to do to better himself," she explained during the season 9 reunion special. "But I feel like it is something deep within. I have been having nightmares about our wedding day, and I think that's a telltale sign that something is wrong." Lala, however, remained tight-lipped about her relationship with the director, 51, until they went public in 2018. The former couple got engaged later that year and welcomed their daughter, Ocean, in 2021. Amid rumors of infidelity, Us Weekly confirmed that Lala and Randall had called it quits. The shocking events around the breakup were also a major topic of conversation as the Vanderpump Rules cast filmed season 10. Tom Sandoval called out Lala's reaction to Randall's alleged cheating on Wednesday's episode, saying, "Her being with Randall — when they first met — she was like, 'I will suck your d—k for a f—king Range Rover.' Maybe she should have known to not f—king get knocked up by a f—king dude like that." Scroll down for all the revelations from the season 10 premiere of Vanderpump Rules:

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Katie and Schwartz's Divorce

"So after 12 years together and five years of marriage, I went to Tom last winter and asked him for a divorce," Katie told the cameras about the major life change. "We've had a lot of issues. I have never been a priority to him."

Meanwhile, Tom Schwartz revealed that he was still working out what led to the split, saying, "She laid it all out and it made perfect sense. I can't probably give you the specifics because I was so upset I wasn't really listening. But also, I don't want to ask her again because one of the reasons she broke up with me is because I am not a good listener. Long story short, I just didn't know how to make her happy."

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The Tom Divide

After hinting at a rift during the season 9 reunion, Schwartz, 40, recalled the offscreen issues between him and Sandoval, 39.

"He became hyper focused on this new band he started — Tom Sandoval and the Most Extras. There was like a three month stretch where he just disappeared," the Minnesota native explained. "I could not get through to him. I think what really turned things around is when I sat him down and I told him we are going to run out of money [to build Schwartz and Sandy's.]" 

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Lala vs. Schwartz

While having lunch with Katie and Ariana Madix, Lala opened up about her response to Schwartz spending time with her ex-fiancé.

"I don't need people like that around me. When I hear that people are going and communicating with that person, I don't want you in my circle," she said. "I have a lot to lose and when you do something that affects my baby — when I'm in a custody battle — you're a liability.

The Give Them Lala author added: "When I found out the life that Randall was living behind my back, I got my closest friends together on Scheana Shay's rooftop. I was very clear that no one in my inner circle should communicate or see Randall because I was going into a custody battle, and we don't need to associate with the same group of friends."

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The Texts Between Lala and Schwartz

In the season 10 premiere, viewers got a glimpse at a text thread where Lala wrote to Schwartz, "You're cut dude. Spent time with rand. Very hurt and disappointed in you."

In his response, the TomTom cofounder questioned Lala's reaction, writing, "La you know it's nothing personal. Some pick ball and shooting s—t. What happened between you guys is between you and him."

Lala, for her part, replied, "Oh, it's personal. Trust me. But you couldn't even get on your own wife's team — how could I expect you to be on mine. I'm good on you. I don't associate with weakness."

Katie weighed in on the drama while filming a confessional as well. "The day when Tom takes responsibility for anything will be a cold day in hell," she joked with the cameras. "I will be long dead before then."

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James Addresses His Sobriety

"After two and a half years of not a single drop, I decided to drink again. Have a couple of drinks. After Raquel left, I thought [about how] I was getting married and all that I did to better myself was still clearly not enough," the musician admitted in the February 2023 episode. "And frankly it was a new year. It was 2022 and what am I doing? I am James Kennedy. Let me live."

Later in the episode, James didn't rule out exploring sobriety again in the future. "If I am going to quit again it's going to be for me and not an ultimatum in a relationship," he told Raquel, referring to a past conversation that led to him quitting alcohol.

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Raquel and James' Awkward Conversation at Work

While filming the premiere, James and Raquel attempted to clear the air post-split while at SUR. 

"James was my best friend and he literally found my replacement within three weeks. Like companies replacing secretaries take longer than three weeks," she told cameras about her ex-fiancé's girlfriend Ally Lewber. "I have no judgment toward Ally whatsoever. She's a very sweet girl and James is very charismatic."

According to Raquel, she was concerned about how James was treating Ally, 26. "There's so many things to love about him — I just hope she doesn't suffer from low self-esteem like I did," she continued. "Some of the stuff that I tolerated I think back, and I am like, 'What the f—k was I thinking?'"

Raquel concluded: "I gave up my own emotional needs to make sure that James' needs were always met. It's not like I cured him [because] he still has his temper and his outbursts. I think Ally is going to be in for a rude awakening."

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Lala and James Open Up About Their Past

"James and I — when we were both very new in our relationships — definitely hooked up," Lala told Katie about her connection with James. "We went to Chicago [in 2016] and we started drinking before we got on the plane. That's why he said I do handstands before I definitely do handstands."

James, however, said he was "nervous" about addressing their history. "My heart is beating," he said. "A lot of guys make mistakes. Obviously half of Lala wanted it to happen too so let's not dilly dally. She probably had big f—king plans on getting that fat f—king rock on her finger — which she did. So, she probably wanted to seal the deal with J.K. before that. Who wouldn't?"

The businesswoman later compared the girls that James has been linked to, adding, "James loves a thin-lipped bitch. First Raquel and now Ally. Even I was a thin-lipped bitch back when we started banging."

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Sandoval Questions Lala's Relationship With Randall

Sandoval took issue with Lala and Schwartz's rift — and addressed the allegations against Randall.

"You don't owe her anything," the Missouri native told Schwartz. "Also, her being with Randall, when they first met, she was like, 'I will suck your d—k for a f—king Range Rover.' Maybe she should have known to not f—king get knocked up by a f—king dude like that. It seems pretty insane that Lala didn't see this whole casting couch situation coming with Randall considering they would role-play it. I mean come on."

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Schwartz Breaks Down Where He Stands With Lala

"They are creating this narrative that I chose Randall over Lala. It's not that deep, man. I wanted to play pickle ball. It's been seven months and my life was crumbling," Schwartz, whose divorce from Katie was finalized in October 2022, said. "It feels so absurd to me but the reason I am going to do it is less about Lala and more for my friendship with Katie."

For Schwartz, it was important to face Lala because of his bond with Katie. "I just don't want to do anything that would comprise mine and Katie's friendship. We have had such a healthy divorce," he told Sandoval.

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Raquel and Ally's Unexpected Chat

During the season 10 premiere, Raquel and Ally compared their individual experiences with James.

"I appreciate your guys' relationship because he would have been completely different if he didn't have you," the newcomer told Raquel, who admitted she was upset to find out that her ex had moved on from her.

"I was hurt when I found out that you two were dating seriously so soon after our breakup. I was contemplating did James even love me because how could he move on so soon," the SUR waitress told Ally. "But at the same time there were moments where I felt like I had to monitor what I said so that he wasn't upset."

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Lala and Schwartz Talk It Out

The costars' attempt at working out their issues hit a major obstacle. "Cheating is horrible but you completely cut me out for hanging with someone seven months afterwards," Schwartz told Lala. "I will be honest, the fact that you wanted to have a meeting felt a little egocentric to me. I won't take it back because from my point of view it felt like that."

In response, the actress acknowledged that she didn't "ask for much" from her friends amid her split.

"I would never over cheating say you can't hang out with someone. I got on the rooftop, and I was very clear that I am going into something that is going to be life-changing for me," she said, referring to her custody case. "And if you don't want to be on my team that's fine but I can't have you around me."

Schwartz, for his part, argued that his friendship with Randall was "not malicious" in his eyes. "What you sent to me felt malicious because you took a dig at my marriage," he continued. "Like, who the f—k do you think you are? All of a sudden, I am not spending the rest of my life with the woman I love. We are not going to have kids or grow old together. I am not worried about what is going on in Lala's life."

The confrontation ended with Lala saying she didn't mind "burning bridges" in her friend group.