“Do you remember your birth time?”
Less than 10 minutes into my conversation with Ally Lewber, the “Vanderpump Rules” alum has wasted no time assuming the role of interviewer.
Sitting at a café in Beverly Hills and sipping on our respective caffeinated beverages, the purpose of our morning meeting is decidedly not to go over my birth chart. But given Lewber’s enthusiasm and expertise when it comes to all things celestial (a “spiritual astrologer” by trade, Lewber charges a pretty penny — $375 to be exact — for in-depth, one-on-one readings), I (Virgo sun, Leo rising, Pisces moon) can’t help wanting her take on things before refocusing the conversation. “Oh my God, OK,” she (Capricorn sun, Libra moon, Pisces rising) responds. “I’m obsessed.”
This interaction isn’t anything out of the ordinary for Lewber: A key part of her public persona has been tied to her passion for astrology ever since she was first introduced to the Bravoverse as the then-girlfriend of “Vanderpump Rules” star James Kennedy in 2023. Opposite in nature from her chaotic yet unfortunately entertaining DJ beau, Lewber gained favor beginning in the show’s 10th season for her even-keeled temperament among the drama-filled group — among other things, she was the first to raise concerns about Tom Sandoval and Rachel Leviss’ closeness after seeing them together late one night at the Abbey in West Hollywood. (We all know how that ended.)
Since, a number of things have changed in Lewber’s life; The couple split after Season 11, following Kennedy’s high-profile domestic violence arrest in late 2024, which during our coffee, she reflects on as a sort of test from the universe to “force” her to “do the hard thing” of walking away. “It gives me chills right now to just be back in Los Angeles talking about it from a completely different [perspective],” Lewber says. “Now, I feel very much removed from that.”
Her mindset is likely also attributable to the fact that she’s recently turned 30, moved from Los Angeles to Charleston, South Carolina and, last October, hopped on a Mexico-bound plane to film “Perfect Match” Season 4, Netflix’s dating series which brings together single people from different reality franchises for a shot at love. With the first batch of “Perfect Match” episodes out now, the show marks Lewber’s first foray back into unscripted TV since 2024, and while she hadn’t necessarily envisioned herself on the show initially, “Perfect Match” provided an opportunity to dip her toe back into dating, while also reintroducing herself to audiences as someone other than James Kennedy’s girlfriend. “I do definitely think that people will see a different side of me on the show. It’s single Ally on vacation,” Lewber says. “I’m excited to rewrite my own story and narrative that isn’t tied to him.”
Lewber knows people will be surprised by her return to reality TV. “I’m already expecting comments,” she says with a laugh. But, as she explains, conversations about her joining the show came at a time when her life was largely in flux. It was around this time last year, she says, and she and Kennedy had broken up a few months before. She’d spent the time focusing on herself: going on walks to coffee shops, taking baths and watching movies. “When the public breakup stuff was going on, I definitely wasn’t thinking clearly,” Lewber says. “And then, you know — the days get better.” (Lewber is still largely complimentary about Kennedy despite the circumstances of their breakup, saying that she knows she “wouldn’t have the opportunities that I do right now without him.”)
Dating especially wasn’t a thought for Lewber in the immediate aftermath of Kennedy, but the filming schedule for “Perfect Match” provided her with a timeline mentally to prepare to jump back into things in a low-stakes environment. “I was like, oh, October — that could be perfect,” she says. And while she was certainly nervous as her departure approached, when it did come time to leave to begin filming, “I was like, ‘This will be fun and good for me.’ And it really was,” says Lewber. “I genuinely did not think I’d be able to form a crush. So it was really fun to just get back out there and remind yourself, yeah, I can do that.” It was also an opportunity for her to “learn how to literally date,” as she puts it, “because I feel like I’ve actually never done that.” Instead, she says, “I always jumped into very serious relationships.”
Plus, unlike on “The Bachelor” or “Love is Blind,” there’s no expectation for coupled-up castmates to seal their fate with any future-defining commitment. “It’s literally just fun,” says Lewber, “And if you meet your person, great.” A reality show is a more unique way to meet someone than a dating app, which Lewber doesn’t use — she admits she’s not good at checking her phone, which she blames on her Pisces placement. “This is my dating app,” she says of “Perfect Match.” And she’s always seemed to meet past partners “in unconventional ways,” so who’s to say her person wouldn’t be there? Without spoiling anything, Lewber says she did accomplish her goal of having a crush was while in Mexico. “I had some feelings,” she says with a smile. “I had some feelings for sure.”
While filming, Lewber knew she’d be moving to Charleston in early 2026, a decision she’d come to gradually after consistent visits to the city. Nothing was holding her to Los Angeles; she was single, her podcast ended (“Astrology is so niche, and I think we put in too much for not enough,” says Lewber) and her car was stolen. “There were all these little things where I felt like the universe was literally like, ‘This isn’t it for right now. Go try something else,’” she says. “I think James was an element — after a breakup like that, it is nice sometimes to just feel like a reset.” Lewber does see herself moving back to Los Angeles at some point: She’s still close with “Vanderpump” star Scheana Shay, who’s also her emergency contact. But for now, Charleston is serving her well — and is also astrologically aligned with the star, since, for those familiar with astrocartography, it crosses through her moon line. “So it’s like my emotions are more activated,” she explains.
Contrary to what snarkers about Lewber would like to think, the move is not some masterplan in order to sneak into the cast of “Southern Hospitality,” Bravo’s “Southern Charm” spinoff that revolves around Leva Bonaparte’s Charleston restaurants, particularly the club Republic. “I genuinely wanted to move there,” says Lewber. “I had this plot in my head for a while. I go to Hilton Head every summer and every Thanksgiving — my family’s there.” She’s also friends with a number of the “Southern Hospitality” cast, including Maddi Reese and Joe Bradley, which is why she was spotted filming (She’s less connected to the “Southern Charm” cast). “There’s so many filming events,” Lewber says. “We would film things at Sur and my friends would come, and maybe they’re in the back. That doesn’t mean I’m on contract.”
Lewber doesn’t fault fans for making assumptions, though; Charleston has become a Bravo hub, and “it’s so small that it would be impossible for me to also never have anyone bring that up, or think that.” But what would the issue be if she had moved to try to be on “Southern Hospitality”? Aspiring reality stars have long gotten jobs as Sur to be cast on “Vanderpump Rules,” and people do frequently move states to further their careers. It’s not as though she hadn’t thought of it at all, Lewber says. The fact that there would be potential opportunities there — even beyond reality TV, Charleston is a live music hub, and the astrologer also loves to sing — did come into play “a little bit.” But those weren’t the deciding factors. “At the end of the day, I studied entertainment. I love the industry. It’s fun. And I don’t think people should feel like they can’t do things because…” she trails off. “Reality TV is just interesting, because you kind of can’t win. You know what I mean? And I guess that’s life. Sometimes you just can’t win,” she says with a laughs.
Still, Lewber remains appreciative of her time on TV. “It opened up so many doors for me to do astrology and really cool things that I’m so grateful and happy with,” she says. In the least evangelical way possible, she sees it as a platform to “spread astrology and connect with people” — her true passion. So don’t count out seeing Lewber back on your screen in the future. “I think whatever helps me, honestly, to spread the message of astrology or love and, I know that sounds cheesy, but reality TV is just a platform, and it’s awesome for that,” says Lewber. “But I’m just open to wherever the wind takes me.”
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