Reality fans share mixed reactions to Vanderpump Rules star James Kennedy’s ex joining Perfect Match
Netflix’s Perfect Match is returning for a fourth season, and this time it is bringing in a familiar face from outside its usual lineup of dating show personalities.
Vanderpump Rules alum Ally Lewber is officially joining the cast, marking her first appearance on a Netflix reality series. The new season premieres on May 13, with episodes releasing weekly on Wednesdays over a three-week rollout.
Lewber, 30, first entered reality TV through Vanderpump Rules seasons 10 and 11, where she appeared while dating controversial figure James Kennedy. The pair ultimately split in January 2025 following a misdemeanor domestic violence incident that saw Kennedy get arrested. Lewber was not harmed in the incident. Since their breakup, she has publicly maintained that she wishes Kennedy well.
After stepping away from Vanderpump Rules, Lewber shifted her focus toward her own projects. She launched an astrology podcast and spent extended time in Charleston, South Carolina, which sparked rumors she could potentially join the cast of Southern Hospitality.
While her personal life remained relatively low-profile in terms of dating, she stayed active in building her brand outside of Bravo. She is also the first star from Bravo to appear on a Netflix dating show.
Now, her return to reality TV is generating a wide range of reactions from viewers. On social media, some fans expressed excitement about seeing her back on screen.
One person said, “I’m going to be glued to the TV for this.” Another added, “OMG!!! I can’t wait to watch,” while a third wrote, “Now I’m definitely watching this season,” and another commented, “So happy to have you back on our screens!”
However, not all responses were positive, with some viewers questioning her casting and on-screen appeal. One person wrote, “She’s bland but she has hustle in her. She went after James for to be on tv. She moved to Charleston for a chance at Southern Hospitality. I don’t know how she caught the attention of Netflix casting because despite the support she got from Bravo viewers, she’s not really a tv entity. But, hey, she did and good for her!”
Another viewer said, “She’s so boring and this show is about hooking up and being a ratchet mess and she isn’t any of those lmao.”
The duo appeared on Vanderpump Rules(Image: Getty Images for iHeartRadio)
A third added, “It’s fascinating how much she wants to be on TV when she has ZERO personality for it. I like her fine but girl be honest with yourself,”
Netflix’s Perfect Match brings together singles in a tropical setting where romance and strategy intersect. Couples compete to stay together, with the strongest pairs gaining power in the house.
Those couples can break up others and bring in new contestants for dates, shifting the dynamics of the game throughout the season. Ultimately, only one couple will be crowned the ‘Perfect Match.’
Traditionally, the show has featured cast members from Netflix dating series like Love Is Blind and Too Hot to Handle.
