Ally Lewber is opening up about the tumultuous night her ex-boyfriend, James Kennedy, was arrested for alleged domestic violence, shedding light on the emotional turmoil that followed. In an exclusive interview with People, Lewber recalled the events of December 10, 2024, which unfolded just hours after they attended Kathy Hilton's star-studded holiday party.
Reflecting on that night, Lewber described it as a mix of highs and lows. "It was such a high and a low week," she shared, noting that they had just recorded the first episode of her podcast, StarStruck, with Kennedy set to be her first guest. However, the mood shifted drastically when Lewber realized that Kennedy had been secretly drinking during the party.
"When I was finished working and came out to the party, that’s when it was like, ‘Oh, his whole demeanor changed,’" Lewber explained. Initially, she suspected he might just have had coffee, as he had been sober for a year. But as they left the party, she quickly realized that he was intoxicated. "I was like, ‘You’re obviously drunk,’" she said, recalling how the tension escalated in the Uber ride home.
Once they arrived home, the argument intensified. "We were just fighting outside," Lewber recounted, revealing that at some point, someone called the police. Although she emphasized that she was not physically hurt, she admitted to feeling emotional pain from the verbal altercation. "I was not hurt physically. Emotionally, yes," she stated.
A police report indicated that a woman inside the home claimed her boyfriend had lifted her and thrown her to the ground. However, prosecutors ultimately declined to file charges against Kennedy. Despite the accusations, Lewber maintained that the fight was verbal and that she never felt unsafe with him.
During the incident, Lewber requested the officers to administer a breathalyzer test on Kennedy, but they were unable to do so. Nonetheless, they confirmed that he was indeed intoxicated. "I was like, ‘Breathalyze him.’ Because at this point, he’s still telling me, ‘I’m not drunk,’" she recalled.
After the incident, Lewber took time away from their shared home, supported by friends and family. She eventually moved out, learning that Kennedy had been drinking behind her back for a longer period than she had realized. "I learned he had been drinking behind my back," she said, acknowledging the emotional toll the relationship had taken on her.
Through therapy, Lewber connected her past experiences—losing her father to alcohol-related issues at the age of 11—to the relationships she has pursued. Her therapist pointed out that she might have been trying to save her father through her romantic choices. "She told me, ‘You’re trying to save your dad.’ I never would’ve thought that," she reflected.
Now, Lewber is focusing on her healing journey and living independently in Hollywood while launching her new podcast. "I probably would’ve stayed if it wasn’t so public," she admitted. "But I’m grateful it happened. It was the wake-up call I needed." Her story serves as a reminder of the complexities of relationships, especially when intertwined with issues of sobriety and emotional health.
As she moves forward, Lewber hopes others in similar situations will seek help. "If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available," she urged, providing resources for those in need. The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached at 800-799-7233, and for substance abuse issues, SAMHSA offers assistance at https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline.
