Vanderpump Rules star James Kennedy has a lot of positivity in his life. The 29-year-old Bravo star is two years sober, back to performing his DJ sets in front of live audiences and newly engaged to Raquel Leviss after more than five years of dating. Now that the once self-proclaimed White Kanye has turned his life around, he's enjoying the cards that life is currently dealing him.
Recently on Vanderpump Rules, fans finally got to watch the moment when James popped the question in Palm Springs, California, back in May during a Coachella-themed party, with the rest of the Bravo cast there as witnesses. Shortly after Raquel said yes, she posted her new bling on Instagram. The couple celebrated by dancing the rest of the night away surrounded by their closest friends in the iconic field full of memories.
James talked to Screen Rant about the growing trend of reality stars becoming DJ's and his desire to collaborate with Brody Jenner from The Hills: New Beginnings, what it was like watching his engagement on national television and if he supports Lisa Vanderpump's possible return to The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Plus, the always entertaining Bravo star shared how wedding planning is going, including who will be invited and if pasta will be on the menu.
Screen Rant: Welcome to Blended Music Festival! How does it feel to be performing in front of a live audience again?
James Kennedy: It's a beautiful day. It's been a beautiful weekend in San Diego so far. It's my first Blended Fest, and honestly, I can absolutely say it was an amazing night. The crowd was lit, the set was lit and the energy was just where I like it. The energy and being outside with people made me feel so good. I've been making tracks and mixes for the past year and in my second room, in my homemade studio, and now to be able to play it out to people, it's just a sick opportunity and experience.
How did you keep up your skills while you were in quarantine?
James Kennedy: It never stopped with TikTok and everything. I like to gravitate to what people like, and try to make it my style or better. I like to turn tracks that you wouldn't normally hear in the club and remix it to be a little more house. I like to remix rap and hip-hop into house music as well. That's what kept me going.
Brody Jenner played Nashville. Blake Horstmann played all three Blended Music Festival shows. You’re here tonight. What do you think of this trend of reality stars transforming their careers into legit DJs?
James Kennedy: I love it. Music is a universal language, and I think it's dope that if you have a passion and you want to strive for something, you want to follow your dreams and chase them, I think it's dope. Shoutout to Brody as well because he's an OG in the game, and he kills it. His music is fire, and his band's music is fire as well. DJ Duo. Brody hit me up. We follow each other on Instagram, so I'm super down to do that. I'll whip out the laptop, and we'll just get some beats going right away.
Speaking of which, congratulations on your engagement. What has the fiancé life been like?
James Kennedy: Best episode of Vanderpump Rules ever. It was emotional, out of body, incredible [to watch the episode back]. Not everybody gets to have this beautiful footage and be able to do such an epic proposal, so I'm just very happy that my vision came together. [Fiancé life] has been beautiful. I couldn't be happier, you know. I'm so excited. We're in this fiancé/honeymoon state, and I think it's going to last forever. I'm just so in love with Raquel, it's crazy. Obviously, with filming the show and all of the edits, you see it for what it is, but the way the proposal episode was touched my heart. I got millions of messages of people saying how beautiful it was.
How much credit do you give Sandoval for helping you pull off R-Chella?
James Kennedy: He's been getting a lot of credit online, but Tom is really just a best friend. People don't really know how deep it goes with me and Tom. We've been through so much together, and for him to jump at the opportunity to help me out, it was amazing. I couldn't have pulled it off without him. I mean, it's Empire Polo Club, Coachella. We did it up. It was a moment.
Do you think Tom put all of his engagement dreams into your engagement?
James Kennedy: Oh, this was all my idea. These were my engagement dreams. This was my idea. Tom really helped me setting it up and being there as a friend. I know what it showed on the show, but the realness is that is my brother.
Have you started wedding planning?
James Kennedy: Slow, we haven't done anything yet. We're just basking in the love and enjoying each other right now. Raquel's slowly coming up with these beautiful ideas herself and it's just beautiful to see it naturally happen, and we don't need to listen to other people and what they think. It's all Raquel, and she's such an independent woman and I just respect that. I think it's so cool when she has an idea and tells me all about it. I'm inspired. It's sick.
Do you want the big day to air on Vanderpump Rules?
James Kennedy: Honestly haven't thought about any of that yet.
Real question: Will pasta be on the menu?
James Kennedy: Up to Raquel. If it were up to me, yes.
Will the entire cast be invited?
James Kennedy: Not the whole cast, no. Just my favorites. I mean, everyone on the show now are my favorites.
Speaking of which, Brock dropped a big one this week, revealing he hasn’t talked to his kids in four years. What are your thoughts? Do you approve of him for Scheana?
James Kennedy: I love Brock and Scheana together. The girls like to chat and have their banter, but I think us men have a different relationship and I respect him. Summer Moon is absolutely gorgeous, and I'm just happy for them. Raquel and I aren't in a rush to start a family. We want to get married, travel the world, DJ, but one day.
What about the Toms? Do you think Sandoval steamrolled Schwartz?
James Kennedy: No, he's not bossing him around. You have to watch to see how that pans out because it's very interesting.
I heard Lisa would consider going back to The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills if production found a new cast. Would you be in support?
James Kennedy: Absolutely. Lisa Vanderpump is an icon, a legend, and I love her so much. She's believed in me from the get-go and I think about this nearly every day, especially when I perform. I'm out at a festival right now performing, and it's all because of Lisa at the end of the day. Yes, I put my hard work in, but at the end of the day, it's because of Lisa. She's just the best. I love her. She's the queen of the housewives on or off the show.
Vanderpump Rules airs Tuesdays at 9pm on Bravo.