Inside the Surprising Reinvention of Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag

Few celebrities have ever been quite as extra as Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt.

The kind-hearted fashion student from Crested Butte, Colorado and the up-and-coming Los Angeles producer whom she fell for during the second season of “The Hills” on MTV in 2007 achieved widespread recognition by wholeheartedly immersing themselves in their TV roles, helping to make MTV’s breakout success even more popular.

Realizing they would never be the main characters, as that role was reserved for relatable California girl Lauren Conrad, and subsequently Kristin Cavallari after her mid-series departure from “Laguna Beach,” they decided to take on the roles as the show’s antagonists based in Los Angeles instead.

Since they were determined to maintain the show’s continuity, they pulled out all the stops. In other words, they might have spread a juicy gossip about their co-star having a secret video, and perhaps even underwent multiple cosmetic surgeries in a single day.

And it just about destroyed them.

In 2017, when speaking with Vice, Pratt, who was 41 at the time, admitted, “I found myself trying too hard to fit a mold that wasn’t really me—a role that the audience and the producers desired. I was becoming increasingly inauthentic.

Following the show’s initial 2010 cancellation, the pair began grasping at straws.

As a die-hard fanatic, I truly believe that our ticket to staying relevant in the world of reality TV was by consistently showcasing the characters we’ve crafted. So, when opportunities knocked on shows like “I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here”, “Celebrity Big Brother”, and “Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars”, we eagerly accepted, becoming outsiders wherever we went. In 2015, a somewhat disheartened Pratt shared with Complex, “We’re essentially mercenaries. Call us when you need some action. That’s what keeps the bills paid.

In the past, I found myself squandering my wealth accumulated during the Hills era, indulging in luxuries such as expensive bottles of Screaming Eagle wine, designer Hermes purses, and lavish vacations for friends. Back then, I even doled out $15,000 checks to acquaintances who were facing financial hardships, as I thought we were acting like modern-day Robin Hoods, using funds that weren’t quite in line with the original Robin Hood’s altruistic intentions. This revelation was shared during an interview on Bethenny Frankel’s talk show in 2014.

If not for Pratt and Montag’s exceptional hustling skills, the story might have concluded there – but fortunately, they are known for such abilities. This was again evident when they faced the challenge of losing their Pacific Palisades property due to the persistent fires in the Los Angeles area.

As a devoted father to my two amazing boys, Gunner (7) and Ryker (2), I am tirelessly working to give us the best life possible. To help boost my sons’ mom, Montag’s music career, I’ve been using my social media prowess by asking my 1.8 million TikTok followers to stream her tunes!

2010 finds Montag’s album “Superficial” climbing to number one on iTunes, marking a fresh start for this new chapter.

Montag expressed gratitude on TikTok (January 12) saying, “Thanks for the incredible outpouring of affection for my music. You’ve been an unwavering source of strength in these challenging times, making it all feel like a true blessing.” In other words, he is acknowledging the help you’ve given us to stay strong, build ourselves up, and maintain hope and enthusiasm during difficult moments.

Even though more chapters of their story are yet to come, their loyal fan base eagerly awaits every detail, enthusiastically liking each TikTok posted by Pratt, be it sharing findings from the remnants of his old home or offering a peek into Montag’s culinary adventures with their sons.

The couple has embraced parenthood as enthusiastically as they used to pose for those contrived photoshoots by the paparazzi.

Becoming a father has completely transformed me,” Pratt shared with Flare shortly after his eldest son was born in 2017. “It’s been the most incredible experience of my life. I believe I’ve finally discovered my true purpose. Now, all I can think about is what will impact Gunner’s life positively. I constantly consider how to arrange things so that Gunner can achieve certain goals in his life. I eagerly anticipate learning and teaching him many things. My focus has shifted entirely towards creating a promising future for him. It’s no longer about me; instead, I am devoted to the Gunner Team.

Even when Mom and Dad were popular, neither Gunner nor his younger sibling weren’t around to witness it. It’s doubtful they would recognize the old Speidi, as both Pratt and Montag have admitted that parenthood has caused them to become more responsible and serious individuals.

In a conversation with TopMob News last June, Montag likened his role to that of a ship’s captain. He explained that he is responsible for scheduling events, ensuring everyone departs on time, and providing essentials such as snacks and water. As a result, he often feels like he’s always operating in high gear or ‘go-mode’.

Of course, she’s well-versed in the art of going hard.

In around 2008, during the peak of their popularity, Montag and Pratt were earning six figures per episode and making an additional million annually by informing photographers about their plans to go for a stroll on the beach, dressed in their best Independence Day outfits.

Montag was just as likely as Angelina Jolie or Jennifer Aniston to appear on the cover of a weekly magazine, and she and her husband could easily brush aside any dislike for their “Hills” personas, turning it into financial success.

In 2018, Pratt boasted to Money magazine that we were more recognized and earning more than Kim Kardashian, who was just starting out on her reality TV show “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” at the time.

Then the wheels started to come off.

Immediately following their televised wedding in April 2009, the pair traveled to Costa Rica to film “I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here.” During this time, Pratt angrily stormed off, saying, “If you give me a script, I’ll follow your instructions. I’m not a reality TV star – I’m from ‘The Hills!'” However, he returned only to leave again a week later when Montag started experiencing stomach problems.

“That’s where we lost the plot,” he admitted to AskMen.com in 2017, “in the jungle.”

For the sixth and concluding season of MTV’s hit series, the cast members had immersed themselves completely into their roles. Notably, Montag underwent a drastic transformation by having 10 plastic surgery procedures simultaneously, an action that came precariously close to taking her life. She shared this harrowing experience with Paper in April 2018, stating, “My security guards contacted Spencer and informed him, ‘Heidi’s heart has ceased beating. She won’t survive.’

Regarding Pratt, instead of directing hostility towards his family, he frequently spent large sums on crystals, and surprisingly, painted graffiti on a wall within their residence at one instance.

By the time the final episode of “The Hills” aired on July 13, 2010, he had been removed from the series following his threat to harm a producer, and resorted to disguising himself as an elderly man in order to sneak into the screening. He was ultimately barred by security.

As a dedicated follower, I was thrilled to see the couple diving headfirst into their next exciting plot twist. Keen on maintaining the suspense of their captivating narratives—perhaps wrapping up the dramatic in-series squabbles that started during the final season—Taylor Montag opted for a legal separation in June, personally delivering the documents and instructing my attorney to issue a statement to People magazine.

The series of exchanges on Twitter took an unexpected turn, with Pratt hinting at leaking a sex tape. This left fans in a state of confusion: Was their breakup staged or was it all for show on television? However, surprisingly, the duo returned to Costa Rica that August and declared they were reconciling, putting an end to the speculation about their relationship’s authenticity.

He explained to MTV News that he truly cares for her, but the term “divorce” doesn’t fully capture their situation since he didn’t betray her. He feels that she divorced him in an attempt to improve her image, which he finds unacceptable. Despite his initial agreement, he never thought it would actually happen. He found it hard to believe that one could be Speidi and then get a divorce. He believes she is still serious about the divorce because she’s trying to separate herself from Spencer Pratt. However, she still loves him.

Back in the states in September 2010, Pratt issued an apology.

Going through a divorce can be incredibly challenging, exhausting, and heart-wrenching for everyone involved,” he explained to People magazine. “However, many people are able to navigate these difficulties with grace and maturity. Unfortunately, I was not one of them—I made a terrible mistake. I caused immense humiliation to the person who means everything to me. For my thoughtless and childish actions, I wholeheartedly apologize to Heidi.

In response, she shared through People magazine that they have reconciled, working hard to mend their relationship. The time spent in Costa Rica helped them see how much they care for each other and desire to spend the remainder of their lives together.

So their marriage was in tact, but their bank accounts? Not so much.

In a conversation with Money, Pratt warned that carelessness can quickly lead to spending large sums of money, giving the impression that consistently earning millions is simple. He added, “The wealth was flowing in at such a rapid and effortless pace that my ego tricked me into thinking, ‘This is my reality for life.’

In an interview with TopMob News, he shared his greatest remorse wasn’t so much about playing the villain, but failing to save the fortune it provided him. He added, “I would be rolling in wealth, despised as a multimillionaire today, but I didn’t anticipate the sudden success of ‘Jersey Shore,’ which revolutionized reality TV and left me unprepared.

In search of a change, I found myself moving into a beach house, graciously provided by Pratt’s parents in Carpinteria, California, just beyond Santa Barbara. Around 80 miles away from the bustling Hollywood, the anticipated spinoff failed to materialize and the paparazzi’s attention waned.

2015 saw me confessing to Complex about the struggles of readjusting after the euphoria of fame and the lavish lifestyle. It proved to be a tough challenge, as the expectations we harbored – “We’re gonna have our own show!” – were vastly different from the reality that unfolded before us. The life I envisioned for myself and where I believed we were heading was starkly contrasted with the path our lives took.

The modest seaside dwelling they called home served as a physical testament to their fame, adorned with countless magazine covers featuring them and a Lego replica of their 2009 book “How to Be Famous.” However, Pratt was enduring his own personal hell – fading from relevance.

Struggling with deep feelings of despair, I found solace in indulging in two pies every evening as a form of self-medication. At my heaviest weight of 250 pounds, I captured that number on the scale, a stark reminder of my struggle. As I shared with People magazine, “That was more about emotional eating because I thought, ‘I live in beautiful Santa Barbara, yet I’m not a famous star in Hollywood.’

Then he found salvation in the form of Snapchat.

Pratt frequently utilized a social media site where individuals share brief glimpses into their daily routines. He’d share approximately 30 to 50 posts daily, ranging from the ordinary (eating breakfast burritos) to the slightly bizarre (feeding his cherished hummingbirds with glasses). A massive audience of over 11 million people would eagerly watch, which was more than the number who watched the final episode of The Hills in 2010.

He shared with Money magazine, “Everyone was reacting to each video with phrases like ‘I adore this,’ or ‘thank you,’ which made me feel terrific.” At the time, he was feeling quite low. However, his Snapchat private messages suddenly filled up with more positivity and affection. He exclaimed, “This is simply amazing! This is the best thing I’ve ever experienced!

He was amazed that people were complimenting him for his raw, less censored persona. He expressed, ‘I thought everyone disliked me because they only saw a scripted snapshot of me.’ It was incredibly liberating to be able to express myself genuinely and reveal my true self, breaking free from the preconceived mold.

Instead, consider this: He found a profitable method to promote his crystal business. The platform served as a means for him to boost the visibility of his side hustle as a crystal dealer. His hand-carved crystals, crafted by what he refers to as “the Picasso of the crystal world,” typically retail between $120 and $300 each, and every fresh batch is snapped up within an hour after he posts them online.

A social media influencer, who was titled Snapchatter of the Year at the Shorty Awards in 2018, devotes a significant amount of his day to interacting with his followers. He finds himself reading essays from fans, which often surpass the length of academic papers he wrote during college. His reaction? “Wow, this is amazing. You spent all that time just to write me?”

In addition to managing his vast social media presence, he has ventured into podcasting, with ‘Make Speidi Famous Again’ debuting in 2018 and ‘Speidi’s 16th Minute’ launching in 2023. Furthermore, he also produces an MTV series on YouTube titled ‘Spencer Pratt Will Heal You’.

He boasted to Money that the series which ignited everything is his, saying, “I hold the torch, and no one can make me change it.

Apart from his financial advisor, the pair has been diligent in learning from past experiences and contemplating their future. In line with Montag’s advice to Frankel, they have committed themselves to becoming more prudent, exploring new directions, and determining their genuine aspirations.

As your trusted lifestyle advisor, I must share an insightful observation: lately, it seems we’ve been more mindful with our finances since Montag took charge. As you may know, my penchant for splurging is well-documented, while Montag prefers a more frugal approach. If she had managed our accounts in the past, I estimate we would have amassed an impressive $20 million by now!

In 2017, when Montag welcomed Gunnar into the world, the delivery room was lavishly decorated with crystals valued at around $27,000. A makeup artist, who later became the baby’s godmother, was present to apply concealer during contractions as recalled by Montag to Us Weekly. In her own words, “I said, ‘Hurry up and put it on!’

Of course, their oldest child seems destined for a life under the public eye, yearning to grab fame on social media platforms, which shimmer like distant stars.

Last year, Montag informed TopMob News that Gunner would be launching his personal YouTube channel, and they are currently in the process of creating it.

Translated: “Pratt didn’t refer to him as a ‘momager-dadager.’ However, he does monitor all the kids on YouTube. So he thinks, ‘Why do they get to unbox toys?’ It’s not us—even though I’m really excited for his own channel.

However, what the first grader’s parents wish most for him as he gazes upon the empty page is happiness and joyful experiences.

Montag clarified to Paper, “I simply wish for him to experience a fulfilling life, free from the confines of living with his parents, and not haunted by his past errors or overshadows.

They don’t blame themselves for the dramatic twists and turns their tale has taken throughout the years.

In 2016, Chris Pratt boasted to Vice’s Broadly about his fame-seeking days: “We were earning over a million annually from photos and facing intense dislike for it.” He expressed annoyance that people don’t acknowledge the brilliance behind this. He considered it groundbreaking and revolutionary!

Despite the challenges they faced, they somehow attained that hard-to-achieve contented conclusion. As they shared with TopMob News’ Justin Sylvester at the 2019 premiere of The Hills: New Beginnings, “We now have our son and we’ve been together for 12 years,” Montag expressed. “It’s been quite a journey, and it’s been an exciting adventure.

Even so, if Pratt has any advice to share, it would likely be to steer clear of some of the riskier behaviors that he engaged in.

Speaking as a dedicated admirer, if ever asked to impart the most vital lesson, Chris Pratt would convey it sincerely and thoughtfully: “Firstly, I’d advise him never to destroy relationships unnecessarily,” he shared with Flare. “That’s a tough truth I discovered when I believed I could handle everything on my own, without the help of teammates or backing from loved ones. In both business and life, I’ve come to understand that having a support system is crucial—and yes, my dear future self, you can’t shoulder all responsibilities alone. So absolutely, by all means, avoid burning bridges; instead, construct olive branches.

2025-01-13 23:48

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