To borrow a catchphrase from her former Vanderpump Rules co-star, it’s all happening for Ally Lewber.

Reality TV devotees may recognize her from the Bravo series and her relationship with cast member James Kennedy. But after the two called it quits last year, Ally is done playing a supporting role. Exuding main character energy the minute she steps into Perfect Match, Lewber fully embraces the process, almost immediately sharing steamy make-out sessions with Love Is Blind’s Jimmy and Age of Attraction’s Chris. 

“I’ve gone through a lot of changes over the last year, and the internet has its opinions, but I’ve learned a lot about myself,” she tells Tudum. “I feel no regret.” She’s now excitedly sharing a “different side” of herself on the dating competition series in hopes of finding love again — and enjoying herself along the way. “I look at life as, ‘If there are green lights, take them and learn and grow and have fun.’ ” And in this case, that philosophy just might lead to Ally meeting the one.

Keep reading to catch up with Lewber about her love life before Perfect Match, where she stands with her ex, and what initially drew her to Jimmy. Plus, Ally spills her piping hot Bravo takes — and, of course, talks astrology.

It’s been a little while since fans saw you on Vanderpump Rules. What have you been up to? How is the astrology business? Are you still working on music? Any other life updates?

Ally Lewber: I moved to Charleston in January. I lived in LA for eight and a half years and, obviously, went through my breakup with James and had my podcast, which was my baby, but that ended up getting canceled. Then my car got stolen, just all these little things were happening, and I was like, “You know what? LA’s not going anywhere.” I just wanted a fresh start and to try something new. 

My day-to-day job is doing readings, which I’m so grateful for. What’s so cool now is I get a lot of returning clients or word of mouth, so I’ve really built an amazing network. I am lucky to be able to financially support myself through astrology. Music has always been a hobby, so I really just make music for fun. I wrote an EP that’ll be coming out soon. 

What was your love life like in the time between your breakup with James and filming Perfect Match?

Lewber: The breakup was a heavy one. I’ve gone through breakups before, but it was really heavy. I was not interested at all in dating. I was really just healing and hanging out with my friends. I didn’t date after James. I talked to one guy, and he was very, very weird. But for a while, I was not ready to open myself up in that way. So with Perfect Match, I was like, “Okay, can I even form a crush?” I was really intrigued to just try single life.

I was really, really hesitant at first. My friend Rachel participated in Season 3, and she was like, “Do it. Trust me, Ally, I know you’re going to have so much fun.” I’ve always been in serious relationships, and I’ve never really done the dating apps or traditional going on dates. I was like, “That sounds fun and terrifying.” They say fear is a good thing, so I leaned toward it.

Vanderpump Rules and Perfect Match are obviously so different. How did the experiences compare?

Lewber: I was just James’s girlfriend on Vanderpump, so the stakes were not as high for me. It did end up being fun, and I became friends with the cast, of course, but it was just different. There was security in the fact that I could just remind myself, “Okay, I’m here to support James. This is James’s job, and I’m his girlfriend, and I’m having fun.” 

For Perfect Match, there was definitely a pressure of, “Oh, this is me without a safety blanket.” This is me, without Scheana, without James, and it’s dating. It takes me a minute to really open up, and I haven’t done a lot of just cold dating, so that was scary for sure. But I went in being like, “Okay, I want to talk to everyone. I want to give everyone a fair chance.” I never thought of it as a competition.

Some news came out recently that your ex may be expecting a child with his new girlfriend. What was your reaction to that?

Lewber: Shocked. I didn’t know he had a girlfriend. Well, I was shocked originally, but not really at the same time. We know he moves quickly, and he always wanted to be a dad. That was always a thing with us. He was so ready for all of that stuff yesterday, and I’m still not ready. We haven’t talked, so I just hope he’s happy and healthy, and I wish them the best.

So, you haven’t spoken at all since the breakup?

Lewber: No. I was at Coachella with Maddi and Joe [from Southern Hospitality]. Joe told me the next day, “Yeah, James came up and had some things to say about you moving to Charleston.” So it’s still James just being James. But yeah, I have not [spoken with him]. I do still have some mutual friends with him, and even they were shocked by the news, so it sounds like he’s pretty low-key these days.

Since fans know you first from Vanderpump Rules, let’s dig into some Bravo topics. What is your take on the Summer House scandal? 

Lewber: I’ve met Amanda and Ciara a few times, very briefly. They were very nice. But I was just shocked. Literally, history repeats itself. The astrology of it all is crazy. Pluto was doing the most around Scandoval, and Pluto is also doing a lot during this. Astrology is history. It’s studying patterns.

I feel for Ciara. I also feel for Amanda in a way. It is crazy just how big of a deal it all feels, and I watch the news every day, so I’m not shocked by much. Ciara will be fine. It’s like what I said to Ariana: “It’s a blessing, and it’s the best thing ultimately.” But yeah, I was shocked.

Since you now live in Charleston, do you know anyone from Southern Hospitality?

Lewber: I’m really good friends with Maddi, Joe, and Leva. I will say the one thing about Charleston that’s been hard for me to adapt to is it really is such a small town. In LA, people aren’t as quick to look for things or notice things. I try to stay out of the gossip and drama. I’m also friends with Emmy, Lake, and Michols. I’ve only watched snippets online. But yeah, I think that it’s kind of just sad what’s going on. I feel bad for everyone involved. I wish Emmy could take accountability, but it’s not my circus.

Well, let’s move on to your circus — Perfect Match. You connected with Jimmy early on. Did you know anything about him before going into the competition? Had you watched his season of Love Is Blind? 

Lewber: I actually didn’t know anyone going into it. Jimmy was very open about Love Is Blind, and he was like, “I got a hair transplant. I did not use to look like this.” Then I do remember him saying that Chelsea comparing herself to Megan Fox was his season, and that did ring a bell because I don’t live under a rock. I always thought she did look like Megan Fox. She has the features! Anyway, I didn’t know who he was, and didn’t have a phone to look him up.

So what was your first impression of him? What initially attracted you to Jimmy? 

Lewber: He was easy to talk to. I thought he was cute, and we just immediately connected as friends. Then we kept matching, and over time I realized, “Oh, wait, I actually like him.” It was kind of a slow burn for sure.

How do you think his experience on Love Is Blind informed his approach to Perfect Match? Did it differ from yours?

Lewber: Dating is so intimate and having conversations about marriage and what you want and going to bed at night with someone, it’s a whole thing. I’m such a lover girl, but I also am a Capricorn, and I will close off my emotions. [Because he had] already been on a dating show, I think Jimmy was good at getting me to open up, as much as it sometimes annoyed me.

Despite the connection you built, Jimmy was hesitant to fully close off the relationship, even as you two headed into the single mixers in Episode 5. What do you think was holding him back from locking in? Did you also have reservations? 

Lewber: Jimmy and I were on the same page from the very beginning. Again, I went into this being like, “I’m going to stay open the whole time, because I never know who’s going to come through the door.” In life, you don’t always have the luxury of being open, but on this show, we get to literally date everyone. But then I realized, “Okay, well, I am starting to get jealous when he goes on dates.” I think that’s when I started to be like, “We should close off and really give it a fair chance.”

So will Ally and Jimmy finally give their connection that “fair chance?” And can it carry them to victory in this competition? Stay tuned as Perfect Match Season 4 continues.

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