Whitney Port's Unexpected Truths: Unveiling her Unbreakable Bond with Lauren Conrad Since 'The Hills' and Beyond
Whitney Port dishes on her reality TV journey, including her friendship with Lauren Conrad since 'The Hills', her return for 'The Hills: New Beginnings', and her most embarrassing TV moment Get the inside scoop on her relationship with Kelly Cutrone and MTV's portrayal of her life in 'The City'
When Whitney Port joined The Hills as a 21-year-old fashion intern in 2006, she had no idea how much it would impact her life. Almost two decades later, it has led to a successful career in fashion, a popular podcast, and a lifelong friendship with her co-star Lauren Conrad.
"Right from the beginning, Lauren and I clicked," Port, now 38, revealed exclusively during her interview with We magazine. "We were both Southern California girls who felt slightly out of place in the glamorous world of Vogue. We were able to support and inspire each other. At that time, neither of us took fashion too seriously, and I believe that manifested in our on-screen dynamic."
Port and Conrad, aged 37, quickly became beloved friends on the hit spinoff show of Laguna Beach. They bonded over sharing secrets and talking about the latest dramas in the Teen Vogue closet, before both landing jobs at the fashion PR agency Peoples' Revolution. However, their initial meeting came as a surprise to Port.
Having previously watched Laguna Beach, Port was familiar with Conrad. However, she had no idea that she was actually interviewing for Conrad's spinoff show. "I thought I was just interviewing for some random reality TV show," Port admitted. But when Conrad walked into the room, Port was astonished. "Oh my God, I'm on her spinoff show!" Port exclaimed. She had no idea what to expect from the show - whether she would be a main character or simply in the background - as everything was still uncertain at that point.
Port eventually became the protagonist when she landed her own spinoff show, The City, in 2008. The show originated from a trip to New York featured on The Hills. Port reminisced about how she met her future boyfriend Jay Lyon during the filming of a fashion show, and their connection prompted executive producer Adam DiVello to relocate her to New York.
Despite the increased focus on her, Port felt that she was portrayed authentically and appreciates how the producers presented her as a likable character that viewers could support.
“Lauren and I were edited to be the hero and everything was happening to us,” she told Us. “So we got the good end of the stick in terms of the editing.”
Lauren Conrad and Whitney Port attend MTV’s ‘The Hills Live: A Hollywood Ending’ Finale event in Hollywood on July 13, 2010. John Shearer/Getty Images for MTV.com
On Her Relationship With Lauren Conrad
Port expressed her admiration for her former costar, acknowledging that their lives have taken separate directions. "It's been about a year since we last spoke," Port revealed to Us. "She relocated away from Los Angeles and began her own journey, just like the rest of us. As a result, our communication has naturally decreased because our paths no longer intersect."
Although Port confessed her unwavering support for Conrad throughout the show, she characterized their relationship as more akin to colleagues rather than best friends.
"I was in college during the times when we weren't filming," she clarified. "I had my own close friends and a boyfriend. They would go out to film and include me, but I wasn't particularly interested in being involved."
Nevertheless, Port mentioned that Conrad always had her back: "I distinctly recall moments off-camera where she would caution me, saying, 'Be cautious.'"
On Returning for ‘The Hills: New Beginnings’
Initially, Port was reluctant to take part in the 2019 MTV revival due to the significant changes reality TV had undergone over the years. Despite her desire for DiVello, The Hills creator, to be the executive producer, she understood that it was highly unlikely to happen.
"The level of craziness in reality TV has escalated, with people now saying and doing more extreme things," she stated, alluding to the influence of the production company responsible for the reboot, which had previously worked on Real Housewives. This made her express her astonishment, exclaiming, "Oh, my God."
Her husband, Tim Rosenman, had no interest in participating in the show, and the couple believed that their son, Sonny, was too young for it. Considering the phase of life she was currently in, Port questioned whether it was best to leave The Hills universe in the past.
She expressed her uncertainties, wondering if it seemed clichéd and desperate for her to return and participate in the series. However, after careful consideration, the Los Angeles native concluded that she could still be authentic while being involved in the show.
"I could still make appearances and provide a rational viewpoint for Audrina [Patridge] or simply be a familiar face that people were accustomed to," she informed Us. "However, when they were renewed for the second season, which coincided with the Covid pandemic, I reconsidered and realized that this no longer held significant value for me."
Justin Bobby Brescia, Whitney Port, Jason Wahler, Heidi Pratt, and Frankie Delgado converse about 'The Hills: New Beginnings' in New York City on June 11, 2019. Rob Kim/Getty Images for Buzzfeed News
On the Lack of Fan Enthusiasm for ‘The Hills’ Revival
According to Port, authenticity is the key. "They attempted to bring us back into a world that we no longer belonged to, and recreate the same kind of nightlife drama," Port revealed. "But most of us are now 35 years old, with children, and we hardly speak to one another anymore."
Port pointed out that many successful reality TV shows feature a group of people who have a genuine friendship, which raises the stakes because "if you're best friends, you can really hurt each other." However, in The Hills: New Beginnings, none of the cast members actually spent time together outside of filming. This resulted in a feeling of "being fake or staged," Port explained.
Another concern? The apprehension that the footage would be manipulated for dramatic effect. "Everyone was extremely anxious about how they would be edited and portrayed," she expressed. "People had past negative experiences. So, I don't believe people were truly revealing their authentic selves."
According to Port, if the show had delved into "the true portrayal of our individual lives," it would have achieved more success. "Show a glimpse of Audrina's life at home, showcase Heidi and Spencer [Pratt] as parents," she suggested. "Not like, let's all gather at a club or something and converse with Mischa Barton, you know? It just didn't reflect the reality of our lives. And I believe [viewers] could sense that."
Whitney Port, Lauren Conrad and Frankie Delgado MTV’s ‘The Hills’ in Malibu on August 14, 2008. Chris Polk/FilmMagic
On Her Most Embarrassing Reality TV Moment
Port reflects on her memorable stumble on Good Morning America, where she gracefully tumbled down the staircase on live television while showcasing an elegant gown. Although it was difficult to digest at that moment, she now views it with gratitude.
“I remember begging the production not to air it,” she reminisced. "I was incredibly embarrassed and pleaded with them to reconsider. Their response was, 'Whitney, you fail to comprehend that everything will turn out fine for you. You will overcome this.' It was an utterly mortifying experience for me, with a constant fear about the episode being broadcasted. However, as they had predicted, it turned out that people were genuinely interested in witnessing genuine situations unfold among real individuals."
On How MTV Manufactured ‘The City’ to Reflect Her Life
Port's experiences on her spinoff series The City were a mix of authenticity and scripted moments, similar to her previous show The Hills. This included the drama between her and coworker Olivia Palermo.
"The producers would constantly talk to me about Olivia and what she was like," Port explained. "Because I spent so much time with the producers, they became like my closest friends, even though we often argued. It was like a sibling relationship."
Whitney Port and Kelly Cutrone at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week on September 12, 2012 in New York City. Taylor Hill/FilmMagic
On Where She Stands With People’s Revolution Founder Kelly Cutrone
Following their stints at Teen Vogue, Port and Conrad landed positions at the renowned PR agency run by the notoriously demanding Cutrone. Initially, Port and Cutrone established a strong bond, but tensions arose between them once filming for The City concluded.
"We had a minor work-related disagreement and she behaved in a manner reminiscent of Kelly," Port elaborated. "I had witnessed her behaving this way previously, but never directed at me. It took me by surprise. This incident occurred shortly after my father's passing, and I felt the need to create some distance between us."
Port revealed that they didn't communicate for several years until they unexpectedly crossed paths again at a Fashion Week event.
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Port went to a show where she was performing and upon seeing her, it felt as if nothing had occurred before. Port shared that both of them had acknowledged the immense stress they experienced after [The City] ended, and in doing so, their emotions had escalated. However, she revealed that her acquaintance expressed her unwavering love and affection, emphasizing that she had always been like a daughter to her. Consequently, their relationship has improved significantly.
Lauren Conrad
Whitney Port
The City
