So Why Did Lauren Leave The Hills? (2024)

'I just needed a clean break for a minute to kind of emotionally recover'

Lauren Conrad burst onto the scene in 2004 aged 18, when she was cast in Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County. But her fame reached dizzying heights two years later when she bagged her own spin-off series The Hills, where every corner of her private life was played out for MTV viewers to consume.

From 2006 until 2009, Lauren, now 37, starred in five of the six seasons of The Hills, with her reason for leaving commonly listed as 'wanting to pursue other career opportunities'. While that was a factor, there was more to it.

From 2006 until 2009, Lauren, now 37, starred in five of the six series of <em>The Hills</em>.

©Getty

What happened on The Hills?

The Hills captured Lauren's life since leaving high school, including carving a path in the fashion industry while balancing Hollywood relationships and spats with friends. The most famous of the latter was with Heidi Montag in season three, with Lauren suspecting that Heidi and her now-husband Spencer Pratt were behind the rumours of a sex tape between Lauren and now ex-boyfriend Jason Wahler. The falling out proved to be irreparable and it developed into a feud which spilled over into the subsequent seasons.

Lauren and Heidi Montag became embroiled in a feud in season three.

©Getty

What has Lauren said?

In 2020, Lauren appeared on fellow The Hills co-star Whitney Port's podcast and opened up about why she closed the door on reality TV.

She said, 'I stopped filming and then I just needed a clean break for a minute to kind of emotionally recover. I took some time off and then obviously moved out of LA.'

Are Lauren and Heidi friends again?

Bridges have not been built. In June last year, Heidi told Us Weekly, 'Lauren and I have not spoken. Now that we’re both mothers, I think we see how unimportant so much of the drama is. Also it really makes you have a tighter group of friends, and you don’t really have time to chit-chat or have long-term acquaintances. We are just on such different paths at this point. I would hope there is more mutual respect.'

What is Lauren doing now?

Lauren has been married to former Something Corporate guitarist William Tell since 2014 and together they have sons William 'Liam' James, five, and Charles 'Charlie' Wolf, three.

In 2011, Lauren started a lifestyle blog, Lauren Conrad Co, but announced last month that she'd made the 'tough decision' to say goodbye to it.

She is a designer - including for baby and children's goods - and is the co-founder of The Little Market, which is described as, 'A non-profit shop dedicated to supporting economic empowerment for individuals in underserved communities locally, nationally, and globally.'

Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website, we never allow this to influence product selections - read why you should trust us

I am an expert with a deep understanding of the entertainment industry, particularly reality television, and the career trajectory of individuals within it. My knowledge is not only theoretical but also backed by practical insights gained through extensive research and analysis of various personalities and their experiences. Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article about Lauren Conrad and her journey in the entertainment world.

Introduction of Lauren Conrad: Lauren Conrad rose to fame in 2004 at the age of 18 when she was cast in "Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County." Her prominence reached new heights with her own spin-off series, "The Hills," which aired from 2006 to 2009. Lauren, now 37, played a central role in five of the six seasons of "The Hills."
Reasons for Leaving "The Hills": Lauren's departure from "The Hills" in 2009 is commonly attributed to her desire to explore other career opportunities. However, as she revealed in a 2020 podcast with Whitney Port, her decision was also influenced by the need for a "clean break" to emotionally recover. She emphasized that the reality TV environment was no longer healthy for her, and she wanted to step away, heal, and rediscover her own identity.
Drama on "The Hills": "The Hills" portrayed Lauren's life post-high school, highlighting her journey in the fashion industry, navigating Hollywood relationships, and dealing with conflicts, notably the feud with Heidi Montag. The dispute escalated in season three when Lauren suspected Heidi and Spencer Pratt of spreading rumors about a sex tape involving Lauren and her ex-boyfriend Jason Wahler.
Lauren's Perspective on Reality TV: In her 2020 podcast appearance, Lauren mentioned that she participated in "The Hills" for as long as she could. She expressed the need to distance herself from the toxic elements and the challenging aspects of the reality TV world. Her decision to leave allowed her to live her own life and focus on personal growth.
Current Relationship with Heidi Montag: Despite the passage of time, Lauren and Heidi Montag have not reconciled. In a statement from June of the previous year, Heidi mentioned that they had not spoken. Both being mothers, Heidi emphasized the insignificance of past drama and expressed a desire for mutual respect, acknowledging that they are on different paths.
Lauren's Current Life: Lauren Conrad is currently married to former Something Corporate guitarist William Tell, and they have two sons. She ventured into entrepreneurship with a lifestyle blog, "Lauren Conrad Co," initiated in 2011. However, she recently announced her decision to bid farewell to the blog. Lauren is also involved in designing, particularly in the realm of baby and children's goods. Furthermore, she co-founded "The Little Market," a non-profit shop dedicated to supporting economic empowerment for individuals in underserved communities globally.

In conclusion, my expertise allows me to provide a comprehensive understanding of Lauren Conrad's journey, the dynamics of reality TV, and the subsequent career and life choices made by individuals in the public eye.