Image Credit: PRN/PR PhotosLauren Conrad will return to The Hills for its series finale tonight. And even though it’s been just over a year since she left the reality show that made her a star, it’s hard to even imagine her among the crystal-wielding crazies known as Heidi and Spencer, the still-vacant Audrina, the back-from-Laguna Kristin, and not notice how far she’s come. She’s totally going to win this reunion, hands down, like the former unpopular dork who returns to his high school a millionaire.
Yes, Lauren started as everyone’s doormat (or at least Jason’s and Steven’s). She oftentimes came off as the least interesting person on her own show, the void in the middle of the chaos perpetrated by the likes of Heidi, Spencer, Brody, Jason, the various blondes who are and are not related to the main original cast members. But then! Perhaps the first time Lauren truly commanded my attention was when she decided to ditch The Hills to pursue other interests — other interests that, for once, were legit. As MTV.com points out, she hit the bestseller list with her first novel, L.A. Candy, then with her second, Sweet Little Lies. Her third is out later this year, and a movie adaptation is in the works. She — like Vera Wang and Britney Spears — has an affordable fashion line at Kohl’s. And while it may not change the direction of modern sartorial design, it’s cute! While she’s been at it, she’s also served as a spokesperson for Avon’s little-sister line, mark (for whom she also designed a necklace to raise funds to fight teen domestic violence).
I’m not about to declare her a feminist icon or anything, but she did manage to recognize her show for the black hole of cat-fighting, gossip, and extreme plastic surgery it was, and to use it as a force for good in her own life. As a writer myself, I want to scoff at her holding the title of “bestselling author” — and I wouldn’t put her books on required reading lists anytime soon — but I’d rather young girls learn about “the other side of being on a show like ours,” as Lauren said, than to think it’s all fun and fame. (The Hills inspiring actual reading? Even better.) The fact that she’s pursuing her original dream — fashion design — without chasing mega-stardom only impresses me more. Throwing a charity project or two in the mix never hurt anyone, either.
So feminist icon, no, but model ex-reality star? That’s a title she’s earned, for sure.
Ugh. Finally, this fake a** show will be over. I can toast to that!
Another trashy show will just take its place. We’re all doomed.
Good article. I think Lauren Conrad definitely deserves recognition. Another point you failed to mention–she’s been involved with “My Boys” actor Kyle Howard without any media spectacle/drama/etc.
So true, but this is actually a bummer…love celebrity gossip. Good for her though!
She was smart to get out when she did. Stay classy, girl.
I really have a lot of respect for Lauren. She may have gone across as a bit harsh (“I want to forgive you, and I want to forget you”), but I think that is just the dramatization of reality tv. To me she was came across as very intellegent and unwilling to accept anything less than respect from others for herself. Beyond all of the (well-deserved) success she has had, her strength as a woman is admirable.
The Hills has always been a bit of a hot mess, but Lauren was always an enjoyable leading lady. Mainly because she seemed like a normal girl surrounded by a bunch of crazy backstabbers (apart from Lo).
It is nice to see her doing so well for herself.
Do not exclude Whitney from the normal catagory…love her!
When she wasn’t obsessing over superficial things like what to wear and her hair, Lauren came across as a very real person. The show lacks this without her – not surprising that it is ending so soon. You know shameless people like Kristen and Speidi would love for it to continue forever.
I agree. Lauren’s growth over the years was probably the realest aspect of this fake reality show. Without her and this arc, the show just felt like a parody of itself.
I don’t mind her Lauren Conrad. But I seem to recall her actual fashion line only making it a few seasons. I think all she has left of that is the Kohl’s line.
Wow! Anyone who thinks LC penned those books herself is naive. Clearly they were both ghost written.
I watched an interview with her just before the first book came out. She admitted to having help writing the first once, and a little less help writing the second once she kind of “got the feel of it.”
Yes, but as someone who has been writing novels for years, I can vouch for the fact that one doesn’t easily “get a feel for it.” They’re both ghostwritten, and she perhaps contributed more to the second than the first…but she’s no more a real writer than she is a brain surgeon. (Both take years of full-time commitment, believe me.)
I’m so glad Lauren walked away from The Hills. I feel like she realized the show wasn’t about her anymore. At the start, it was. Then came Heidi and Spencer…and we know the rest. You go LC!
It’s hard not to admire Lauren in comparison to the likes of Audrina, Speidi and Cavallari. She is truly a breath of fresh air in that genre. Also, I would place Whitney port in that same sane category.
BTW, her novels are not that bad. They are good for some mindless reading and adolescents which they written for in the first place.
Yes, because giving adolescents mindless reading is a good thing. Why make them think?
Reading a mindless book isn’t a bad thing. It’s the same reason people go to see mindless movies, such as comedies you don’t really have to think about to find funny. And adolescents have enough thinking on their plate with school and activities. Why not let them enjoy something else?
Adolescents should spend every waking moment of their life pondering ways to better improve their own welfare and that of those around them. Obviously that’s the definition of an adult, since adults never take a break, such as to read an entertainment article and comments about a reality TV star.
Ha. Good one anonymous. And Thom, don’t be such a royal idiot. Everyone needs a break. I’m a teenager myself, and if I were constantly thinking about all the important things, I might blow a gasket. Mindless reading helps me chill out, and it’s just fun. Besides, it’s not like I don’t read anything good for you. I’m reading Anna Karenina right now, but I took a break last night and read The Tales of Beedle the Bard, which was great.
I agree Nadine. It’s nice to sit down and read an uncomplicated entertaining book once in a while. My reading taste varies greatly, and although I’m not her target market, I read LC’s books too.
Lauren Conrad is a nothing, period. Will this show please just be f***ing over, already?
I’ve always admired Lauren. She seems like a genuine person who did use the show to her best advantage and made the most of it. Between the bestselling books, the clothing line (of which I own a sweater!)and working as a spokesperson for Avon she’s made a viable career for herself. Stay classy Lauren!
I’m glad to see this article pop up right about the time that I’ve been getting nostalgic for the first few seasons of The Hills. I feel like Lauren was the most real part of that whole series which always seemed cloaked in so much fakeness. Good for her for getting out before the end, when it became so plastic.