Rachel Leviss Reveals She Feels ‘Vindicated’ After James Kennedy’s Domestic Violence Arrest!
Rachel “Raquel” Leviss is speaking out about her rocky past with ex-fiancé James Kennedy following his domestic violence arrest.
The Vanderpump Rules alum, 30, revisited a powerful December 2018 Instagram post on Wednesday, Dec. 18, reflecting on her experience while in a relationship with Kennedy, 32. “I stand by what I wrote here,” Rachel emphasized alongside the resurfaced post, where she defended herself against criticism for staying with James at the time.
“Being in an abusive relationship is confusing because you believe in the potential of your significant other and can’t comprehend how someone who says they love you is intentionally hurting you,” she wrote.
“Bad times can be few and far between, it’s easy to minimize the abuse and want to believe the person is capable of change.” Rachel first addressed the issue back in 2018 when she was still dating James.
“Tonight’s episode was an emotional one for me. Using the word dumb to describe why I choose to stay with James is completely inappropriate,” she explained at the time. “I grew up not knowing I had a learning disability and wasn’t diagnosed with ADD until college,” she continued.
“Learning was always difficult for me, and not passing my ice cream multiplication test was one of the earliest challenges I faced. However, I am NOT stupid. In fact, in college, I figured out the way I learned best and worked very hard for my degree, graduating with honors. Words like STUPID and DUMB are just as offensive as the word FAT.”
Rachel also expressed gratitude for those who supported her during her healing process. “I’ve experienced so many emotions in the past week,” she shared on Instagram Stories. “Feeling happy and vindicated, but also so sad and broken. I don’t want this to be brushed under the rug like the times before.”
She continued, “So much of my podcast talks about my experience with coercive control and gaining the insight to overcome it.” Despite the heavy emotions, Leviss is determined to focus on the future.
“I want to leave this on a positive note: There is so much to look forward to in the year to come. I am grateful for everyone who extended grace and kind words of encouragement through the tough times and the little victories.”
Rachel’s statements come days after Kennedy’s arrest on a misdemeanor domestic violence charge.
On Dec. 10, the Burbank Police Department was called to Kennedy’s Los Angeles home “regarding an argument between a man and a woman,” a police spokesperson confirmed to PEOPLE.
Rachel’s attorneys, Mark Geragos and Bryan Freedman, also addressed the incident, stating, “We are aware of James Kennedy’s recent arrest for domestic violence. This news is, unfortunately, not surprising. Rachel’s lawsuit describes, in significant detail, Mr. Kennedy’s long history of erratic, violent behavior and substance abuse.”
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Nancy Zhāng is an Entertainment Blogger for All About The Tea. Nancy covers hot topics, recaps and celeb news. She loves to multi-task as a writer and a private chef. She received a B.S. in Mass Communications from LSU. Nancy’s married and the proud mom of 2 German Shepherds.
