Raquel Leviss and James Kennedy Courtesy of James Kennedy/Instagram
James Kennedy's position as the top member of the group may now be challenged with the return of Graham Cracker. The 31-year-old DJ surprised his Instagram followers on July 19th by posting pictures of himself with Raquel Leviss' dog while on a Vanderpump Rules cast trip to Lake Tahoe, California. Meanwhile, Raquel, 28, was seen in Arizona with her family as her future on the reality TV show remains uncertain.
"Guess who's found their way back home, back into my life? You're forever in good hands, and I adore you," James expressed in the heartfelt social media post, accompanied by a picture of his girlfriend, Ally Lewber, embracing Graham on a boat.
Graham was first introduced to viewers during the time James and Raquel were still in a relationship, dating from 2016 to 2021. Raquel, now a prominent member of the cast, started making appearances on the Bravo show during season 5.
The engagement of the former couple, with a festival-themed celebration, was showcased on the show in early 2022. However, during the season 9 reunion, which was filmed in December 2021, Raquel and James announced their separation.
Raquel provided an explanation stating, "We have made the decision to end our engagement. It's something I have been contemplating for some time now, and I believe James has also noticed that I haven't been fully invested in it." She continued, expressing her reluctance to give up on James due to his evident dedication towards her and his efforts to improve himself. Nevertheless, Raquel expressed a deep-seated feeling that something is not right, as she has been experiencing nightmares about their wedding day, which she considers to be a clear indication of underlying issues.
James provided an update about the current status of Graham in his life after the breakup during the reunion broadcast. On Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen in December 2021, he stated, "Raquel always emphasized that Graham was her dog since her mother gave him to her as a graduation gift. However, the day after that, we moved into our apartment together, so technically, Graham Cracker is her dog, even though we both raised him."
Courtesy of James Kennedy/Instagram(2)
James expressed his enduring affection for the little guy, acknowledging his current longing for him. With hopeful anticipation, he mentioned the possibility of reuniting in February or some other time they hang out. The lines of communication between Raquel and James remain positive, devoid of any major conflicts, thereby instilling confidence that seeing Graham Cracker would not be an issue.
When the series returned for season 10, Raquel and James' relationship as exes became a central storyline. During a tense reunion with Raquel in a February episode, James confessed in a confessional that the aspect he missed the most about their relationship was their son, Graham. With frustration, he expressed his longing to see Graham again, emphasizing how much he missed him.
One month later, it was confirmed that Raquel was engaged in a romantic relationship with her Pump Rules costar, Tom Sandoval, leading to a scandal of infidelity. This scandal resulted in Sandoval, aged 41, and Ariana Madix ending their long-lasting nine-year relationship. As a consequence, Raquel faced criticism from her fellow cast members and subsequently sought treatment at a mental health facility.
Despite these challenges, the Vanderpump Rules crew has been seen filming for the upcoming season 11, with Sandoval joining them on a group trip to Tahoe. However, it is worth noting that Katie Maloney and Ariana were noticeably absent from this excursion.
Scheana Shay, 37, took to Instagram Stories on Wednesday to address fans questioning her loyalty and her decision to film with Sandoval in light of the scandal. In a video, she expressed her confusion over the need to defend a simple photo in which she posed with her hand in a fist behind someone.
Lala, in response to the criticism, vehemently retorted, "It's truly baffling that some individuals fail to comprehend that we are in the midst of filming a television show. Furthermore, it was that particular girl's birthday. Are we expected to decline her request? Absolutely not. Instead, let us celebrate her special day and capture a memorable photograph. This is what it means to be mature adults."