What Happened to The Hills?

"The Hills" emerged as a cultural phenomenon on MTV, premiering on May 31, 2006, as a spin-off of "Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County." The series initially followed Lauren Conrad as she navigated a career in fashion in Los Angeles, alongside her housemate Heidi Montag and friends Audrina Patridge and Whitney Port. The show became renowned for its dramatic storylines, often blurring the lines between reality and scripted television, and significantly influenced early 2000s pop culture, fashion, and the format of reality TV. It ran for six seasons, concluding on July 13, 2010.

A decade later, MTV brought back much of the original cast for a revival series, "The Hills: New Beginnings," which premiered in 2019. The show aimed to capture the lives of the now-adult cast members, including Brody Jenner, Audrina Patridge, Heidi Montag, Spencer Pratt, and Kristin Cavallari (who appeared as a special guest), as they faced new challenges in relationships, parenthood, and careers. However, "The Hills: New Beginnings" was canceled after two seasons in January 2022, with MTV reportedly looking to retool the franchise.

Following the cancellation, the original cast members have continued to forge their own paths. Lauren Conrad, who famously departed the original series before its finale, has largely stepped away from reality television to focus on her successful lifestyle brand, LC Lauren Conrad, at Kohl's, and her non-profit, The Little Market. In a nostalgic turn, Conrad reunited with the cast of "Laguna Beach" for a reunion special, "The Reunion: Laguna Beach," which premiered on The Roku Channel in April 2026.

Kristin Cavallari, who took over as the lead of the original "The Hills" after Conrad's departure, has also built a significant entrepreneurial empire. She starred in her own reality series, "Very Cavallari," from 2018 to 2020, and founded the successful jewelry and lifestyle brand Uncommon James. In May 2026, Cavallari hosted a prominent wellness event at Miami Swim Week, where her brand Uncommon James also made its runway debut, further solidifying her influence in the fashion and wellness industries.

Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt, known collectively as "Speidi," have remained a prominent and often controversial couple. In January 2026, they welcomed their daughter, Nelle. Spencer Pratt made headlines in 2026 by announcing his candidacy for Los Angeles Mayor, a decision he attributed in part to losing his home in the 2025 Palisades Fire and his criticism of local government's response. Despite his campaign, which saw him finish third in the primary, Heidi Montag has continued to pursue her pop music career, with a new album released in June 2026 and a major performance scheduled with Slayyter and Kesha.

Other cast members have also maintained active careers. Audrina Patridge continues her work in acting, modeling, and fashion, making public appearances at events such as the "Infinite Icon" premiere in January 2026 and the Oceana SeaChange Summer Party in July 2026. Brody Jenner has established himself as a successful DJ and producer, with a schedule of events including headlining a Fourth of July sunset party in Miami Beach in July 2026 and upcoming gigs in August 2026.

Looking ahead, MTV announced a new iteration of the franchise in May 2022, titled "The Hills: Next Gen." This reboot is set to feature a completely new and diverse cast of young individuals navigating adulthood in Los Angeles, signaling a fresh direction for the enduring reality television brand.