Lauren Conrad Opens Up About Stepping Away from Hollywood Spotlight
Lauren Conrad has revealed the reasons behind her decision to step away from the Hollywood spotlight at the height of her fame, while also addressing her long-running feud with fellow reality star Kristin Cavallari. The former MTV darling, now 40 years old, became a household name after appearing on the network's hit reality series Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County and its hugely successful spin-off The Hills.
From Teen Reality Star to Fashion Entrepreneur
Conrad was just 18 years old when Laguna Beach debuted in 2004. Cameras followed her to Los Angeles two years later, documenting her internship at Teen Vogue, her romantic relationships, and her friendships. However, in 2009—at the peak of her reality television reign—she shocked fans by walking away to focus on her burgeoning fashion career.
'I always looked at reality TV as a temporary thing to make my connections and then go on to my dream,' Conrad told People magazine. That same year, she launched her first collection with Kohl's department store, marking her transition from television personality to fashion designer.
Embracing Privacy in Hometown Laguna
Four years ago, Conrad retreated even further from Hollywood, moving back to her hometown of Laguna with her husband William Tell and their two sons, Liam (8) and Charlie (6). 'I really appreciate private moments,' she explained. 'Nobody cares who I am here. It's such a privilege to be able to live my life for myself after putting many years on camera.'
Despite her desire for privacy, Conrad recently allowed cameras back into her life—albeit briefly—for the highly anticipated 20th anniversary special, The Reunion: Laguna Beach, which premiered on April 10. During filming, she came face-to-face with Kristin Cavallari as the pair addressed their much-discussed fallout.
Reconciliation with Kristin Cavallari
Conrad and Cavallari, 39, were at the center of some of Laguna Beach's most memorable drama, including a complicated love triangle involving castmate Stephen Colletti. However, by October 2025, both women confirmed they had put the past behind them, revealing they are now on good terms after reconnecting during the reunion.
'Lauren and I are friends,' Cavallari stated during an episode of her Let's Be Honest With Kristin Cavallari podcast. 'I just got back from Laguna. I filmed the Laguna Beach reunion which was awesome... It was such a great time.' She described the experience as 'really healing in a lot of ways,' despite initial reservations about participating.
That same month, Cavallari shared a smiling photograph alongside Conrad on Instagram, joking in the caption: 'Everyone can put away their team Lauren and team Kristin shirts now.'
Reflecting on Reality TV Rivalry
The pair had previously revisited their history during a 2022 appearance on the Back To The Beach podcast, where they downplayed the extent of their on-screen rivalry. 'My take on it is, you and I never really had any beef,' Cavallari expressed. 'Obviously there was a little truth to what happened with the three of us, but I felt like MTV coming kept it alive and made it way worse than it ever would have been.'
Conrad agreed, explaining that while tensions briefly flared before filming began, the situation had already been resolved by the time production got underway. 'It was like the week before they started filming, we got into it and then made up. And it was fine. And they came... I don't think we were best friends, but we were fine,' the designer continued.
Perspective on Teenage Behavior
More recently, Conrad reflected on her early reality television years while speaking to EW ahead of the reunion's release, admitting she now views some of her teenage behavior with perspective. 'I think, for a while, I had a lot of embarrassment about some of my behavior as an 18-year-old, things I would say or do,' she confessed.
'But I also think that that unfiltered thing we had was one of the reasons the show did really well. We weren't super self-aware. We hadn't really seen a show like this before, so we didn't know what was getting used or not used. I think that's what actually made it feel more authentic.'
Conrad continued, 'I think I'm finally at the place now where I can laugh at it and say I was 18. I've hopefully grown since then.' She also revealed how she first landed her role on Laguna Beach, explaining that she turned to her father, Jim, for guidance before agreeing to join the show. 'He was like, 'A lot of people who work in entertainment also work in fashion. This could be a really good opportunity for you,'' she recalled.
Family Life and Future Focus
Now settled back in her hometown, Conrad is focused on raising her family and embracing a quieter pace of life far removed from her reality television beginnings. While she may be synonymous with Laguna, her two sons remain largely unimpressed by her fame.
'I don't think they really understand, and I don't think they're that interested, to be honest,' she told People. 'Once in a while, I'll be like, 'Oh, look! Mama did this.' And they're like, 'Okay....' Someday, they'll get it.'
Conrad's journey from reality television star to fashion entrepreneur and devoted mother represents a significant evolution, demonstrating her commitment to living life on her own terms away from the constant glare of Hollywood's spotlight.
