Stephen Colletti and Trey Phillips (of MTV’s Laguna Beach)

Summary

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Pod Meets World: Stephen Colletti and Trey Phillips Reunite (Laguna Beach 20th Anniversary)

Release Date: April 8, 2026
Host: Danielle Fishel
Guests: Stephen Colletti & Trey Phillips (MTV's Laguna Beach)
Podcast: Pod Meets World (iHeartPodcasts)

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Main Theme & Purpose

This special episode marks a nostalgic reunion with Stephen Colletti and Trey Phillips, stars of MTV’s Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County, nearly 20 years after the original series aired. Host Danielle Fishel guides a candid and reflective conversation about living adolescence on camera, the long-term impact of reality TV fame, behind-the-scenes stories, and the ways fame, nostalgia, and friendship have or haven't changed them since those days. The episode also touches on their upcoming reunion special premiering on Roku.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Laguna Beach Origins & Casting (03:29–06:49)

• Both Stephen and Trey reminisce about being approached by MTV, not expecting the project to become a cultural phenomenon.
  • Stephen: “We thought that we were getting away like bandits. Like, there's nothing in our lives worth capturing.” (05:17)
  • The casting process was unexpectedly thorough, involving long personal questionnaires; it all began as a seemingly casual opportunity during senior year, making it feel less risky.
• Parental Hesitation & Convincing:
  • Parents were wary, but producers sold the concept as a documentary about "kids in high school in this beautiful town" (06:30).
  • The real intent of more sensational plotlines (like trips to Cabo) wasn't disclosed at first.

2. Authenticity, Adolescence, and Being on Camera (07:38–10:00)

• Life Before the Show:
  • Describes their small-town, beach-centric upbringings—“just little beach rats.”
• Adjusting to Filming
  • There were self-conscious moments but often tried (and were advised) to ignore the cameras.
  • Trey: “They set up camera 30ft away and zoomed in... It allowed you to be a bit more normal.” (09:26)
  • Both agree that naivety and innocence contributed to the show's genuine feel, especially compared to more self-aware later seasons.

3. On-Screen Personas & Real-Life Growth (10:00–12:34)

• Trey reflects on being labeled the “creative one”—at first embarrassed by his “artsy trucker hats," now sees it as the start of his fashion career.
  • Trey: “That was the beginning... That little seed made way for 15 years of fashion experience.” (10:12)
• Discuss how reality TV, and the trends and personas it created, can shape or reflect the trajectory of your life—chicken or egg?

4. Filming Logistics & School Life (17:21–18:34)

• Filming Disruption:
  • MTV originally planned to shoot at their school, but the infamous Janet Jackson Super Bowl incident led to MTV being banned from campus.
  • Filming became a part-time affair, mostly on weekends. They recall how the camera schedule was respectful of school priorities.

5. Cringeworthy Moments, Regrets & Growth (18:34–20:37)

• Both address regrets—especially the infamous Cabo episode.
  • Stephen: “There’s a lot to take in, and I’m clearly not able to process emotion at that age in a respectful way.” (19:09)
  • They speak candidly about learning from public mistakes and the challenge of processing fame and judgment at a young age.
  • Danielle: “You have to give yourself grace.” (20:08)

6. First Encounters with Fame (20:37–24:39)

• Trey’s first recognition was in Grand Central Station; initially thought the show was a “bomb.”
  • Trey: “A whole family at one point surrounded me… I was like, is this a dream?” (21:11)
• Stephen recalls surreal run-ins at the VMAs and Queen Latifah acknowledging his life (“Is it weird that I kind of know your life?”—24:08), which marked true cultural impact.

7. Meta Moments & Cultural Impact (24:57–27:57)

• Discussed the Laguna Beach online game, which let people virtually “live” in their high school world.
• Reflected on the somewhat arbitrary nature of their fame;
  • Trey: “We were just this representation of high school that a lot of people identified with.” (27:27)
• Imposter Syndrome: Felt awkward being treated as famous, while realizing they “had done nothing to contribute... just lived our lives.” (26:21)

8. Reality TV Vulnerability & Community (27:57–31:59)

• Danielle asserts a bravery in their decision to be so open (27:57).
• Stephen counters modestly: “Maybe you’re giving us too much credit… it was just dumb luck… Not knowing that it was brave." (28:36)
• Discussed the nerves of reunions, but described reconnecting as instant and deeply meaningful (“You might be different people in different places, but you revert and just be friends”—29:43).
• Stephen notes anxiety about how the town of Laguna would be received in the reunion (“MTV portrayed this town as filled with spoiled rich kids”—29:59).

9. Staying Connected & Grown-Up Bonds (31:02–32:56)

• Many cast members retain real friendships and would be there for each other “no matter what.”
• Tre: “You get to see how they matured… that’s a special connection.” (31:35)
• Briefly shout out Lee Norris (from Boy Meets World), showing a crossover of childhood TV families.

10. Looking Forward & Parenting Perspective (32:56–41:46)

• Asked about the potential for a 40th reunion and how life has evolved.
  • Stephen: “This feels like… a bow on the whole thing.” (33:01)
• Rapid Fire Nostalgia (34:08–39:08):
  • Fun quick hits: “burned CDs or iPods?” (Burned CDs), “trucker hats or bleached tips?” (Both), worst edits, most embarrassing moments (Cabo episode, wardrobe malfunctions), favorite AIM away messages, flip phones, and more.
• Parental Dilemmas: What if their own kids wanted to do reality TV?
  • Stephen: “If they really wanted to do it and they have a plan… can’t say nope, you can’t. But if not—grow off camera!” (40:16)
  • Observes that social media ensures everyone now has “public mistakes,” even without MTV.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On why the show worked
  • Trey (27:27): “We were just this representation of high school that I think a lot of people identified with… they captured it in such a way that a lot of people could identify with, and we just got to be the beneficiaries of that.”
• On Laguna Beach’s Reputation
  • Stephen (29:59): “MTV portrayed this town as filled with spoiled rich kids… that charm was under threat… It was important to show the town in a good light, in a more mature light now.”
• On Regret & Growth
  • Stephen (19:09): “There’s a lot to take in, and I’m clearly not able to process emotion at that age in a respectful way… it's my story. It’s a part of who I am, and I’ve learned from it.”
• On Reality TV Users Today
  • Danielle (41:00): “Those mistakes that you guys made on national TV, people are making just on Instagram. The Internet lives forever."

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro & MTV Pitch: 03:29–06:49
• Beach Upbringing & Parties: 07:45–08:45
• On-Camera Behavior & Naivete: 09:05–10:00
• Trey’s “Creative Edit”: 10:12–10:49
• Show’s Impact on Life Choices: 12:03–12:34
• Filming After School Ban: 17:32–18:34
• Cabo & Regrets: 19:09–20:37
• Watching the Show Air: 20:46–22:29
• First Moments of Fame: 23:09–24:30
• Laguna Beach “Game” & Surreal Meta Moments: 24:57–25:53
• Celebrity World & Imposter Syndrome: 26:21–27:57
• Podcast Host Connections: 31:59–32:56
• Rapid Fire 2004 Q&A: 34:08–39:08
• Would They Let Their Own Kids Do Reality TV? 40:07–41:46

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Closing Thoughts

Through honest and self-deprecating humor, Stephen and Trey look back at their unusual brush with early reality TV fame with appreciation, humility, and realistic caution. The episode balances deep nostalgia, thoughtful reflection on youth and identity, and a surprisingly universal message about growing up in the public eye before "influencer" was a word. A must-listen for fans of Laguna Beach, pop-culture nostalgia seekers, and anyone curious about the reality TV origin story.

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Transcript

[Podcast Host (Ad Voice)]

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[Stephen Colletti]

Since the day we met.

[Podcast Host (Ad Voice)]

As the League1 volleyball season heads towards its final stretch, there's no better time to tune in. You'll hear unfiltered analysis, behind the scenes stories and conversations with leaders making an impact across the sport. Whether you're following the final push of love season or just love the game, serving Pancakes brings you closer to the action and the people shaping the future of volleyball. Open your free iHeartradio app search serving pancakes. Listen now presented by Capital One, founding

[Danielle Fishel]

partner of iHeart Women's Sports.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Peace to the planet. Charlamagne Tha God here. And listen. We are back. The Black Effect Podcast festival is back in Atlanta on April 25th at Pullman Yard and the full lineup is nuts. We got the grits and eggs podcast, Deontay Kyle and big ice Cup Cat. We got Club 520 with Jeff Teague and the gang. Don't call me White Girl. Mona will be there. Keep it positive, sweetie. With Crystal Renee. We got Reality with the King with Carlos King and y drink champs will be in the building. Okay. Plus, you know we gonna have a lot of guests, so you need to join us. And we got the Black Effect Marketplace, the picture podcast and everything you expect from the Black Effect Podcast festival. Tickets are on sale right now. Go get [e-mail] podcast festival. Don't play yourself. Okay, pull up. 10. 10. Shots fired. City hall building. How could this have happened in City Hall? Somebody tell me that.

[Narrator (Rorschach Podcast)]

A shocking public.

[Stephen Colletti]

This is one of the most dramatic events that really ever happened in New York City politics.

[Tre Phillips]

I screamed, get down. Get down.

[Stephen Colletti]

Those are shots.

[Narrator (Rorschach Podcast)]

A tragedy that's now forgotten and a mystery that may or may not have

[Tre Phillips]

been political, that may have been about sex.

[Narrator (Rorschach Podcast)]

Listen to Rorschach. Murder at City hall on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast.

[Danielle Fishel]

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[Tre Phillips]

Another pina colada.

[Stephen Colletti]

Yes, please.

[Danielle Fishel]

Open a new retail location with 36% more square feet.

[Stephen Colletti]

Fantastic.

[Danielle Fishel]

Hire 36% more help.

[Stephen Colletti]

You're hired and you're hired.

[Danielle Fishel]

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[Stephen Colletti]

Give me money for cigarettes. I'll never leave your cookie bed I stay the night and one night we can two or three years the kids are not all right but that's okay cause no one here is Take me.

[Danielle Fishel]

Let's go back back to the beginning. Back to when the earth, the sun, the stars were all alive. And MTV decided to take a chance and air a reality show following high schoolers in Laguna beach, the real Orange county, as they navigated puberty, popularity, love triangles, fashion shows, and definitely not set up confrontations between girls at nail salons. We became friends with cool kids who drove cool SUVs and had cool names like LC Lo, Kristen Talon, and my two Teen Beat guests today who 20 years later are now reuniting with their season one cast for a special premiering on Roku April 10th. As someone whose entire childhood was seen by millions, I usually chat with my guests about their un televised upbringings. But today I find out what happens when your actual teenage years were chronicled and analyzed by viewers like John Madden breaking down a tight end corner route on Monday Night Football. What's it like when your personal life during your most awkward years becomes water cooler gossip for an entire MTV generation? I look at it like this. We gave you our childhoods. The least we can do is talk about it. Welcome to Teen Beat. Two guys who are as synonymous with Orange county as the South Coast Plaza food court. Stephen Coletti and Tre Phillips.

[Stephen Colletti]

Thank you for having us. Oh, my gosh.

[Danielle Fishel]

Thank you for being here. Thank you so much. Here we are, guys. 20 years after you said yes to a weird TV experiment. Looking back on it all, did you ever imagine people would be still so interested in your high school experience?

[Tre Phillips]

Absolutely not. We have a funny story where we were in our car and we were just. We looked at him and I thought, what are they gonna. We thought that we were getting away like bandits. Like, we. There was nothing in our lives that was worth capturing.

[Stephen Colletti]

Yeah. Like, what are they doing here? Do they. Do they realize that they're wasting A ton of money on us. The location's nice, but, like, I mean, we're bored here anyways. We're looking to get out of this town. So. Yeah, we knew obviously, you know, MTV was what it was at the time. And so we were really just like, taken aback that they were there. But we were interested in at least engaging with them, but not expecting the show to actually air.

[Danielle Fishel]

What went into the decision to say yes? And was it then easy to convince your parents that this was a good idea?

[Tre Phillips]

Well, I mean, when they had you sign up for it, you had to fill out this 19 page profile thing and you were like, you know, they needed the name of your dog. You know, it was like everything. So all of a sudden when they said, do you want to be on the show? It felt like, oh, my gosh, it felt so real. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Stephen Colletti]

You know what's funny is it was kind of at that time where second semester of senior year, you're ready to get out of there.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, yeah.

[Stephen Colletti]

You've done the whole, like, all right, there's the cliques in high school, you've gotten the parties, you've had the relationships, as you guys have seen with the show, that have gone sideways here and there. And you're ready to go meet some new people and have new experiences. And if that show came around when we were sophomores or freshmen, I would have been, you know, very scared, but absolutely not. It would've been social suicide.

[Podcast Host (Ad Voice)]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colletti]

But at that point, it was kind of like, I'm ready for a new experience. Like, why not? And it was actually the. It seemed like the girls were more into it, like, oh, this will be fun. They're wiser. They're like, there's a good opportunity here. And the guys are like, you know, screw mtv. Like, whatever happened to music television? Like, that's lame. And I was like, yeah, that's lame. And then in between classes, let's go grab a packet and go for it. Cause I was interested in working with MTV or something. So I think that. That having that timing of second semester, being ready for new experiences was a big thing for me. And then as far as our parents are concerned, they were definitely, you know, they wanted to know as much as possible. And you gotta give a lot of credit to the producers. Selling it is the documentary about kids in high school in this beautiful town. Like, you know, what are they up to? Like, we're gonna keep it casual. There's no conversations about going to Cabo early on in the assignment.

[Danielle Fishel]

Right, right, exactly. They didn't mention that part. What were freshman year, Steven and Trey

[Stephen Colletti]

like, oh, man, what were we doing growing up? I lived just up the street from him. And, I mean, my mom would just be like, all right, get out of the house. Go down to Trey's. Lock me out. And I would just. I just zip over to his house and say, hey, do you want to do exactly what we did yesterday? Should we go to the beach? He's like, yeah, let's go to the beach. We spend all day at the beach, come back. And his parents are always gracious enough to host me in their home and have dinners and take me to movies and stuff. So it was a pretty, like, standard beach routine. We're such just little beach rats, you know, where we spent all of our time and playing some sports here. Right.

[Tre Phillips]

I think it was the first time we started throwing parties, too, you know, like, just like freshman year.

[Stephen Colletti]

Oh, yeah, that was.

[Tre Phillips]

It was so, like, when you threw your first party, I remember we, like. We, like, opened up my gates and backed the car into the house to, like, pull out the pony keg and, like, just.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, my gosh.

[Tre Phillips]

Sorry, Mom.

[Stephen Colletti]

Yeah, there might have been some 40s. There were some Mickeys back in the day before the football game on Friday.

[Danielle Fishel]

Speaking of which, then when the show comes around your senior year, were there ever things that you were. I mean, obviously you two would never smoke pot, but I'm sure some people did. Right. Like, were there ever times you were conscious of what you were doing, thinking about the fact that cameras were there?

[Stephen Colletti]

Yeah, I wish sometimes I was more conscious, especially down in Cabo, for example. But, yeah, you know, early on, they really told us, like, just try to act like the cameras were not there. And I think that we still. At that age, you're still so scared of getting in trouble by your.

[Tre Phillips]

Totally.

[Stephen Colletti]

So we're trying to keep everything on the DL. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Tre Phillips]

I think it's. It's one of those things where we also didn't really think about it. You know, you kind of got used to them setting up camera 30ft away and zooming in, and you. It allowed you to be a bit more normal. But I think there was. I think it was tougher for the second season because they were aware of all that could happen, all that could be captured, and you sort of maybe lost a little bit of that innocence.

[Danielle Fishel]

Right. That innocence and spontaneity that you had that first year where everything just felt like, who knows what this is gonna be?

[Stephen Colletti]

Yeah, we were so naive at that point.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah. Trey you were really portrayed as the creative one helping Lauren with the charity fashion show and wearing artsy trucker hats. Do you feel like that was a fair representation of you?

[Tre Phillips]

You know, it's so funny, because I just went back and I looked at all these old hats that I had done, and when I had gone to college, I went to fashion school in New York. And, you know, I look back at those hats when I was in that age, and I thought they were a little silly. And now I go back, and I look at them, and I'm like, that was the beginning. You know, this was, like. It was that little seed that kind of made way for me to go on and have 15 years in a fashion experience. And, like, you know, I can, like, look back at it, and there's, like, a show that captures it, and. Yeah. And I think it's so funny. I used to be a little embarrassed when I'd see myself wearing these crazy trucker hats, but now I think it's so cool.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah. You know, with enough time and space from who we were as children, you. It's like. It's like trends that you come all the way around. You start off being, like, embarrassed by yourself, and then eventually you come around being like, I love me.

[Stephen Colletti]

Look how cute.

[Danielle Fishel]

Like, I was great.

[Stephen Colletti]

Yeah. I feel like as time's gone on, like, who you were back then was probably more. Was closer to anybody else on the show as far as the way that they captured you. And I think they were speaking to how unique you were at that time and talking about the trends. Of course, a lot of people are trying to fit in, and they don't want to stand out too much in fear of being judged a certain way. You didn't really have that, and I think that I always admired that about you, and I think that's also the show gravitated towards you, and all these years later. Yeah. It's the time you can see, like, back then, you were just wise beyond your years and making decisions that were pretty badass.

[Tre Phillips]

Oh, I didn't. I was just like anybody else. I didn't know what the hell I was doing.

[Podcast Host (Ad Voice)]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Do you think it was like, this is kind of like a chicken or egg question? I know that for me, I was on a show that was scripted, but Danielle definitely, in my later years became more like Topanga, or did Topanga become more like Danielle? Do you think the show helped lead you to fashion, or do you think you would have always gone that route?

[Tre Phillips]

You know, it's a good question. I originally went to school in upstate New York to do human rights. And it was an amazing school. It was an amazing experience. But there was just something about not making something with my hands that I really, I ended up having to change lanes, go to fashion. It was like there was something in me that just loved being able to create something from nothing and I'd be able to look at it. It just didn't hold the same weight turning in a paper that you spent 12 hours on versus looking at a piece that you did.

[Danielle Fishel]

Right. So it seems like it was in you, this creative. Yeah, there was creative spark.

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[Stephen Colletti]

We've planned for the plot twists, so

[Podcast Host (Ad Voice)]

support is always available because a great trip starts with peace of mind. On the Serving Pancakes podcast, conversations about volleyball go beyond the court. Today we have a little best friend compatibility test. Okay, how long have we been best friends for? Since the day we met. As the League1 volleyball season heads towards its final stretch, there's no better time to tune in. We really are like yin and yang, vodka and kila. You'll hear unfiltered analysis, behind the scenes stories and conversations with leaders making an impact across the sport. Today we have Logan led Nikki. I feel like our fan base in general is very connected. Just like a comforting feeling getting to play at home. Whether you're following the final push of Love Season or just love the game, serving Pancakes brings you closer to the action and the people shaping the future of volleyball. Jordan Thompson had that microphone out. God forbid we make mistakes or cuss

[Stephen Colletti]

at our coach like, one time or two times.

[Podcast Host (Ad Voice)]

Open your free iHeartradio app search serving pancakes. And listen. Now this has been serving pancakes. And we'll catch you on the flip side, okay? Presented by Capital One, founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports.

[Lily Herman]

Why hasn't a woman formally participated in a Formula One race weekend in over a decade?

[Podcast Host (Ad Voice)]

Think about how many skills they have

[Stephen Colletti]

to develop at such a young age.

[Lily Herman]

What can we learn from all of the new F1 romance novels suddenly popping up every year?

[Danielle Fishel]

He still smelled of podium champagne and expensive friction.

[Lily Herman]

And how did a 2023 event called Wagageddon change the paddock forever? That day is just seared into my memory. I'm culture writer and F1 expert Lily Herman, and these are just a few of the questions I'm tackling on no Grip, a Formula one culture podcast that dives into the underexplored pockets of the sport. In each episode, a different guest and I will go deeper into the wacky mishaps, scandals, and sagas, both on the track and far away from it, that have made F1 a delightful, decadent dumpster fire for more than 75 years. Listen to no Grip on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

1010. Shots fired. City hall building. A silver.40 caliber handgun was recovered at the scene.

[Narrator (Rorschach Podcast)]

From iHeart podcasts and Best Case Studios, this is Rorschach. Murder at City Hall.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

How could this have happened in City Hall? Somebody tell me that Jeffrey hood did it.

[Narrator (Rorschach Podcast)]

July 2003. Councilman James E. Davis arrives at New York City hall with a guest. Both men are carrying concealed weapons, and in less than 30 minutes, both of them will be dead.

[Stephen Colletti]

Everybody in the chambers docked.

[Narrator (Rorschach Podcast)]

A shocking public murder.

[Tre Phillips]

I scream, get down. Get down.

[Stephen Colletti]

Those are shots. Those are shots.

[Tre Phillips]

Get down.

[Narrator (Rorschach Podcast)]

A charismatic politician, you know, he just

[Charlamagne Tha God]

bent the rules all the time, man.

[Narrator (Rorschach Podcast)]

I still have a weapon and I could shoot you. And an outsider with a secret.

[Stephen Colletti]

He alleged he was evicted to flat down. That may or may not have been political. That may have been about sex.

[Narrator (Rorschach Podcast)]

Listen to Rorschach murder at City hall on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Danielle Fishel]

Can we talk logistics? A little of filming? Like, what was the schedule for filming, like, when you were in school? What was what? What was it like around campus being filmed?

[Stephen Colletti]

Yeah, so they originally were gonna be on campus, but it was right at the time where MTV was in charge of the super bowl halftime shows.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay.

[Stephen Colletti]

And that year was the Justin Timberlake, Janet Jackson infamous moment, the wardrobe malfunction. So that actually happened the week after they had met us. And then all the bad PR from that PTA was like, get these people off campus. We don't want MTV at our school. So they made a decision, like, all right, we're not gonna shoot them at school anymore. But we've already met everybody. We're still greenlit. Let's go ahead and do this thing. So we did not shoot, of course, not on campus, but not 24 7, nearly at all. I mean, it was like, I felt like every other week we would have some sort of schedule between Thursday and Sunday.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay.

[Stephen Colletti]

And you might shoot on a Thursday, Saturday, like two days a week. It was pretty relaxed. Yeah. It wasn't asking a lot of us at that age. And they were cautious of how much time that they used with us, knowing that we still had school to go to and stuff. But it was also second semester, senior year. We checked out.

[Danielle Fishel]

Exactly. You're done. You're already. You're either committed somewhere or you're not. Yeah. Stephen, I know at the reunion you touched on at least one instance from the show that you regret now, but I think if my real senior year was on tv, I would be cringing a ton. I cringe just watching myself on Boy Meets World. And that was scripted. So, honestly, I have a lot of respect for you guys. And if you two could magically change any aspect of your behavior on the show, now would you? Or now that we're here 20 years later, do you just see it all as being part of the process?

[Stephen Colletti]

Yeah, it's a great question because, you know, I obviously do look back at some of those moments, especially down in Cabo where, you know, I'm learning the life lesson there. There's a lot to take in, and I'm clearly not able to process emotion at that age in a respectful way. So, you know, of course, I wish I could have a little bit of a do over there, but it's moments like those you learn, you grow from. And I know who I am when you're not 10 shots of tequila down and down in Mexico as a 17 year old. And I'm confident in that. So. While, of course, wish things played out differently. Look, it's my story. It's a part of who I am, and I've learned from it. And so I think for that, you know, it's. It's. It's Kind of mixed back. Like, sure, we should go back and do it over. But it's. It's okay. I don't. It doesn't sit with me in such a negative way where it's like, man, like, I can't quite grasp that this actually happened. It's just something you look back. Like, man, when you're.

[Danielle Fishel]

You have to give yourself grace.

[Stephen Colletti]

Sure. But, you know, but that was. Look, it's. It was the amount of, you know, irresponsibility that I was doing in that moment between being on a show. You know, you don't realize at the time you're representing your family as well. I was so selfish and just focused on myself and my ego at that time.

[Danielle Fishel]

But again, you're 17. There's no other way to be at 17.

[Stephen Colletti]

And so that's why you give yourself a little bit of grace. You realize you're a kid, and that's what kids do at that age. You know, we're learning a lot. So.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah. Did you guys watch the show when it aired? And did your families watch the show then? When it aired? Were there ever any awkward moments?

[Tre Phillips]

Well, I was up at that university in the middle of nowhere. And, like, I think I had a very specific experience, different from everybody else because they would send you the VHS's ahead of time, and I trusted very few people that I would let in to watch these VHS. And, you know, and nobody watched it up there. So, like, for then, the first four episodes, I was like, this show's bombing.

[Narrator (Rorschach Podcast)]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Nobody even knows this show exists.

[Tre Phillips]

Like, I'm getting away with it. And then my parents were in New York City at the. And so I took the train down and I got into Grand Central Station. And it was crazy. It was the most bizarre experience having people recognize who I was walking through. Like, a whole family at one point surrounded me and asked me questions about it. And I was like, is this a dream? Like, this is wild.

[Stephen Colletti]

I remember first getting those. Those tapes. So we would get it. Sometimes it arrived after the show, and maybe that was on purpose. It just aired. Didn't quite get the overnight in time, but it would be about a day before and pop it in, watch it. And really, we had no idea how they were going to edit it together and really what they were gonna focus on primarily. And so, you know, there's a shock at first, and it was a. Okay. The first episode, they're kind of. They've, like, built up this love triangle. And the second, I'm like, okay. And, like, you watch the episode okay, go back in the thing and, like, back in a drawer. See you later. Can never watch it ever again. I think actually over winter break, like, 15 years later. You know, Trey's parents are always gracious hosts, and we always meet up over the holidays. And I think I was just, you know, I was just coming in town to meet you, and I walked in and your folks watching an episode, they like, we popped it on just for shits and giggles. And I was like, oh, my God.

[Danielle Fishel]

I was like, what are you doing? Sorry.

[Stephen Colletti]

I'm so sorry.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colletti]

Do you want to leave? But yeah, now, you know. And Chris and I were doing the podcast again after about, you know, 20 years go by, and you're older now and much more mature. I was like, okay, I can watch this. And so just watching it just recently, it was fun. It was funny to be so removed from those years and be able to laugh at yourself.

[Danielle Fishel]

Totally. That's a great feeling. As someone who has a podcast now, looking back 30 years ago on myself, being able to laugh, that space and distance is so necessary. It sounds like your first moment of realizing the show was blowing up was maybe in Grand Central Station.

[Tre Phillips]

Yeah. Wow.

[Danielle Fishel]

Was there a moment for both of you that maybe isn't just being recognized, but, like, your first moment of being like, oh, we're famous. Like, when's the first time you realized you were famous?

[Tre Phillips]

What's yours?

[Stephen Colletti]

You know what? That's a great question. I think there's a lot of pinch me moments. You know, it was like we found ourselves going to the VMAs.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colletti]

And we are just months removed from high school, months removed from actually filming the show, months removed from still thinking this is nothing, but MTV wanted us to show up at the VMAs. And then I think that first year, it was still kind of weird, but no one's really watching it. I think going into season two, and I guess the pickups there, the people that wanted to talk about the show, like, okay, this is actually, you know, this is in the zeitgeist a bit. And people are really curious about season two and then going to the VMAs that second time. I remember there were a couple people coming up to me. I mean, Queen Latifah came up to me.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, my gosh.

[Stephen Colletti]

And I'm looking at her because I was like, man, why is Queen Latifah, like, she's such a badass. And, you know, I've seen her watching her for all these years, and I was like, she's looking at me she's kind of giving me one of these, and then she approaches me and she goes, is it weird that I kind of know your life? I was like, is it weird that you're Queen Latifah and you're talking to me? Because that's so. That was a moment where I was like, wow. Wow. Okay. This is actually something that's reaching households.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah, that's pretty cool. Queen Latifah as being your moment of being like, you know who I am.

[Stephen Colletti]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

That's so fun. Is there one for you, Trey?

[Stephen Colletti]

I don't know.

[Tre Phillips]

Steven was the real heartthrob. He was the one that everybody knew. I kind of just slid under the radar. I might have had an intro, stayed

[Stephen Colletti]

in at Bard College. Yeah, you were hiding.

[Danielle Fishel]

That's pretty nice, actually, to have that little bit of, again, removal from the chaos of the world and have, like, a normal college experience.

[Tre Phillips]

Yeah, I think so.

[Danielle Fishel]

In 2006, there was a virtual Laguna beach game online. It allowed players to socialize, shop, and explore in a virtual version of your hometown, including the surf and sport you actually worked at. Did either of you know this existed? And did the amount of meta involved in this show ever break your brains?

[Stephen Colletti]

Did you know?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I.

[Tre Phillips]

You know what? I think I did, now that you say it, I do recall something like that. But it was. That wasn't the only thing. It was like there were several things that would come out, and you'd just be like, they just followed us in high school. You know, like, how are they making a video game about this? It was. Yeah.

[Stephen Colletti]

So it was like some sort of version of Sims and. Yes. No idea. Very interesting.

[Danielle Fishel]

Back in 2006.

[Stephen Colletti]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah, yeah.

[Stephen Colletti]

I'm glad I didn't know. Back then, there was already a lot of overwhelming, you know, experiences coming our way. So knowing that that was the virtual world, I'm glad that we missed that.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah. There's a few things that you're like, you know what? I'm glad I didn't know that. That feels better. Once you graduated, you ventured into the city and you frequented the cool Hollywood bars, so much so that it spawned a spinoff for some of your cast members. Were you surprised at that point? Maybe after Queen Latifah, the answer is no. But were you surprised that these celebrities had been watching your life and are now your peers and you're hanging out with them?

[Stephen Colletti]

Yeah. You know, man, that. Look back on that time, it was such a thing. Hollywood and going out to clubs and stuff, you know, it seemed like a whole nother Planet at first, when we were kids in high school. But then, you know, people are inviting you, and all of a sudden it's every day of the week there's something going on. And when you're 18, 19 years old, they're like, yeah, sure, sure, we'll show up. So it felt always was not deserved. It was awkward. It felt like, yeah, we are with these true entertainers at this point. These people that have worked their lives to get to this point and be famous, if you will. And people are treating us in a similar way because they see us on this TV show on mtv. But we have worked. We've done nothing to contribute to this. We just lived our lives.

[Danielle Fishel]

And so imposter syndrome.

[Stephen Colletti]

The imposter syndrome was. Was definitely real. It was. It was a full Twilight Zone. Like, how is this happening? But like, yeah, I'll go, sure, I'll show. Yes.

[Danielle Fishel]

I'll say yes.

[Stephen Colletti]

Party on a Tuesday and drink for free and hang out with people. Yeah, right. That's what you wanted to do at that age.

[Tre Phillips]

I was thinking about this today and it was. It's just this idea. It's like, why were we so famous? You know, like, when we look at our lives in the moment where from our perspective, it doesn't make sense, but I think it really. We were just this representation of high school that I think a lot of people identified with. So that's why we were famous. It wasn't necessarily any one of us that had done something so special. It was just they captured it in such a way that a lot of people could identify with. And we just got to be the beneficiaries of that.

[Danielle Fishel]

Well, there's also, to your credit, there's a real bravery that people feel when they watch you that's like, this is brave. You know, performers, we have to be brave. Brave to have fake vulnerability. You were brave enough to say, I'll show you all my real vulnerability. You'll get to see what we really do. Party like, and hang out and what we talk like, and the mistakes that we make. Like, there's there was a. When that was all new, when reality TV was new. There was a real sense of like, oh, I could never do. Look at what they're able to do. And then the relatability of that of like, wow, they have the same life I do, just maybe in a prettier location and they're better looking.

[Stephen Colletti]

Maybe you're giving us too much credit there, because it was like, it's honestly the bravery. It was more just dumb luck. Not Knowing that it was brave. Not knowing that it was brave. Really. It was like, okay, again, this is not something that's actually going to be seen.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

No one will even know this exists. So now, with the reunion, 20 years later, was there anything you were most nervous about coming back for this?

[Tre Phillips]

I think, you know, some people I haven't seen in 20 years. And it was just. I remember when we first walked onto the set, it was sort of. It really felt like there was that moment where you weren't really sure how people's lives had gone, how you know, what they've done and everything. And all of a sudden, you know, by the end, the time we finished shooting, it was like we were old friends again, you know, so you were able to kind of go. There was a bit of that nervous of seeing these people from your past, and then you just realized that you're kind of the same person together. You know, you might be different people in different places in your life, but you kind of were able to revert and just be friends and know each other, that you've spent so much time together.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah. That shared history doesn't go away.

[Tre Phillips]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colletti]

You know, I think I was really excited to spend time with everybody, and Chris and I had done the podcast, and the one thing that felt like was missing was everyone together in the same spot and in a place like Laguna. That was a character in the show.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colletti]

And that's actually where my biggest fear of the whole thing was, was actually shooting in Laguna and how the town might receive it. Because back then, MTV portrayed this town as filled with spoiled rich kids that, like, look at the beautiful environment they're in and just, you know, look at all the silliness that they're up to. So I think that was not a nice representation of the town. And Laguna is this artsy community. It's a beautiful seaside escape, if you will, for folks. And that charm, you know, was. It was under threat with MTV being there at that time in the way that they wanted to capture the show. So I think these years later, we, of course, want to be respectful of the town and just hoping that people would see that people were grateful for having grown up there and have a lot of respect for where we come from there. So it was important to show the town in a good light, in a

[Danielle Fishel]

more mature light now that 20 years can pass and you can see it in a different way. Did the anniversary special make you closer to anybody? Is there a group chat? Can I be in it? No one will notice. Did you recreate Connect with people in a way that now you are actually closer than before.

[Stephen Colletti]

I mean, we've always, like, We've got. A lot of us are still really good friends, so we connect quite a bit. But we don't get to see Talon too often. He's out in Nebraska, and he was a great below, so we didn't really get to hang out with him too much, but we get to hang out with him more here and he's a fun guy to be around.

[Tre Phillips]

So, yeah, you have this shared history, but also you're getting to know somebody from the experience they've already had in life and now they're adults, and you get to see how they matured, how they become a man or a woman, and that's a special connection there. And so, yeah, I think with everybody, I would pick up a phone and call any of them. Not all the time, but it's like that.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah, that's really nice. I have a similar thing with our, you know, the cast of Boy Meets World. We've known each other now for 35 years, and no matter what, if anybody needed anything, we would all be there and, you know, sometimes even years to go by without talking. But then when you do reconnect, that shared history comes right back and it's like you pick up wherever you left off.

[Stephen Colletti]

I want to give a shout out to Lee Norris, who I love so much. He is.

[Danielle Fishel]

I love Lee and trained with him very.

[Stephen Colletti]

I love Lee.

[Danielle Fishel]

He is wonderful. His whole family is just incredible.

[Tre Phillips]

He's the nicest human on this earth, really.

[Stephen Colletti]

He's always spoken very highly of you.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah, I love him so much. And his parents came recently. We did a Pod Meets World Live tour and Lee was a part of it and his parents came. So I got to reconnect with. It was just wonderful. Yes. Okay, I will. I'm gonna text him the minute we're done. I'm gonna tell him that I'm here with you. Can either of you imagine a 40th anniversary special? Where do you see yourselves for that?

[Stephen Colletti]

What do you think?

[Narrator (Rorschach Podcast)]

Ugh.

[Tre Phillips]

Any chance to hang out with you guys?

[Stephen Colletti]

We're gonna do that already. Do we need the cameras all around? I think this feels like, to me, it does feel like kind of the bow on the whole thing. You know, it's our first time actually all getting together and speaking on it. We, you know, spoken here and there and, you know, people came onto the podcast. But to have everyone together at one time, it feels like, yeah, that is going to be unique in itself and maybe It'll just live by itself there. That's fine. And do we need to do it again 20 years later? I don't think so. But, you know, you never say never.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah, I think you're right. It does feel like a nice ribbon on the top. 20 years is the perfect amount of time to wrap it up. Well, I want to play a little game of rapid fire here. 2004 edition. Very simple. I'm going to ask you a question. You quickly respond. Not a lot of deliberation here. I want immediate answers. Okay. Do boys like feta cheese?

[Stephen Colletti]

Yes.

[Tre Phillips]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay, great. Who got the best Laguna beach edit?

[Stephen Colletti]

Trey.

[Tre Phillips]

I was very lucky.

[Stephen Colletti]

Did it involve his relationships? This guy? Yeah, he had his relationships, but they were not on the show.

[Tre Phillips]

I mean, they could make anybody look like anything, so they could have killed me if they wanted to, but.

[Danielle Fishel]

Right.

[Tre Phillips]

Thank you.

[Danielle Fishel]

But they did not.

[Tre Phillips]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Who got the worst Laguna beach edit.

[Stephen Colletti]

Go ahead. Point, point.

[Tre Phillips]

It's my boy here.

[Stephen Colletti]

Aw.

[Tre Phillips]

Wasn't fair.

[Danielle Fishel]

Scene you wish never aired.

[Stephen Colletti]

I mean, Cabo. Yeah, I still wish it never aired. It happened, but I never wish it never. I wish it never aired.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay.

[Stephen Colletti]

Which, by the way, there were a few things that happened with other cast members that I found out they got axed.

[Danielle Fishel]

So you were like. Did you just not ask?

[Stephen Colletti]

It's a game.

[Danielle Fishel]

Anything that you wish didn't air. You really liked your edit.

[Tre Phillips]

No, no, no. I mean, like, I just think when you watch the show, when you talk, it's like hearing your voice on an answering machine.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, yeah.

[Tre Phillips]

You're just like, ugh. Can I just make a complete sentence? So I would love to complete every sentence that I just stopped halfway. Or like, you could mumble my way through.

[Stephen Colletti]

Yeah, yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Is there a most embarrassing outfit you wore on camera?

[Tre Phillips]

Oh, my God. I'm the one here. A T shirt with one sleeve cut off and an armband, like, skating down the street thinking. I'm like, I've got it.

[Danielle Fishel]

I'm it.

[Tre Phillips]

No, I don't got it. Okay. Yeah.

[Stephen Colletti]

That was unique. Oh, man. There's a lot of scenes where they had to blur my. My ass crack because it was. I was. You know, you're a kid on the beach, so you go from trunks to shorts, and there's underwear. Doesn't make it in that situation.

[Danielle Fishel]

So.

[Stephen Colletti]

Yeah. I mean, when you're shirtless and they're blurring your butt crack, that's not exactly.

[Danielle Fishel]

That's not your favorite. That's not your favorite look. Something you said too much in 2004,

[Stephen Colletti]

like, oh, yeah, definitely a lot of likes. Yeah,

[Tre Phillips]

probably gnarly.

[Danielle Fishel]

Gnarly.

[Tre Phillips]

I said gnarly a lot.

[Stephen Colletti]

I still use dude all the time, so.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah, dude is a hard one. For anybody who grew up near the beach, we all say dude.

[Stephen Colletti]

Dunzo was. Was rolled out quite a bit back then.

[Tre Phillips]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Which cast member took things too seriously?

[Tre Phillips]

I mean, I think I was gonna say

[Stephen Colletti]

you were pretty serious, but that was the intrigue. So you just do not give yourself any grief for that. Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

IPod or burned CDs.

[Stephen Colletti]

Oh, burn CDs. Love making burned CDs. Yes. I mean, the binder in the car and they're just all over the ground.

[Danielle Fishel]

Like passenger seat binder in the car. And then all the different things. Now they have them on the. On the windshield. You know, the visor.

[Tre Phillips]

Making a mix. Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yes. Do you remember five having five disc CD players in the.

[Stephen Colletti]

Oh, my God. Oh, yeah. And which CDs held those positions, especially before going on like a road trip or a date. Very crucial.

[Danielle Fishel]

Very crucial to take the vibe. Yes, totally. Teddy's or Joseph's Teddies. Yeah, teddies. Okay. AIM or texting Back then, AIM was.

[Stephen Colletti]

Well, texting was getting hot. Texting was like. I think we were ditching AIM at that point.

[Tre Phillips]

Exactly.

[Danielle Fishel]

Do you remember any of your Aim Away messages?

[Stephen Colletti]

Beach? Yeah.

[Tre Phillips]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colletti]

You. And actually you. My first screen name you created, but it was actually through aol. Yeah. Because you used to call me Steph Collette. And I remember you put it on a. You had one of those label makers and you gave it to me and you put it on my tennis racket when we were kids. I remember Steph Collette. So, I mean, the creator that he is, when I was trying to think of a name for my first account, I was like, little tree calls me Steph Collette. That's kind of cool. So we went with that.

[Danielle Fishel]

That's cute. I love that you had a label maker. You're like, let me just type this up real quick on my label maker.

[Stephen Colletti]

This is your tennis racket

[Danielle Fishel]

Sidekick or Razer Phone.

[Tre Phillips]

Oh, he had the first razor. And I was so jealous. That was cool.

[Stephen Colletti]

When that came out.

[Tre Phillips]

Yeah, it was sick.

[Stephen Colletti]

That was one of those perks from mtv. Before the RAZR came out, a producer gave me a phone. And then I realized now that I think they had some sort of deal going with one of the companies because it was in the show and. Yeah, but I was. Yeah, the RAZR was. That was that flip phone.

[Tre Phillips]

Yeah. But Dieter had a sidekick and he would Just how he would use it was so funny. Just the flip out.

[Stephen Colletti]

Sometimes you just flip it to flip it.

[Tre Phillips]

Open,

[Danielle Fishel]

open, close, open, close. Uggs or rainbow flip flops?

[Tre Phillips]

Rainbows.

[Stephen Colletti]

Rainbow flip flops. The best.

[Tre Phillips]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colletti]

Although I will say these days, I've recently gotten into some Uggs.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colletti]

And I mean. Yeah, let's.

[Tre Phillips]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Are they slides or boots?

[Stephen Colletti]

What are you into their boots? Very comfortable. Actually, I have some. Some slippers and some boots.

[Tre Phillips]

It's very comfortable.

[Stephen Colletti]

So, yeah, now it's both. But back then, rainbows all day.

[Tre Phillips]

I'm not against it. Yeah, I like it. You know who just want to be cozy.

[Danielle Fishel]

Exactly. Trucker hats or bleached tips?

[Stephen Colletti]

Trucker hats.

[Tre Phillips]

Why not both?

[Danielle Fishel]

Exactly. I know. Feels like you need both. Honestly. Laguna beach house party or bonfire?

[Stephen Colletti]

Ooh, I love a house party.

[Danielle Fishel]

I know you love a house party. Are you still in the same house as your family?

[Stephen Colletti]

In the same house?

[Tre Phillips]

My folks are. Yeah. Yeah. Very blessed.

[Danielle Fishel]

That's so great.

[Tre Phillips]

It really is.

[Danielle Fishel]

That's like such a comforting feeling, you know? I mean.

[Tre Phillips]

Oh, my gosh, every time I come home, I feel so lucky.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, yeah, that's really great. It's very special. It was special to see too. So, Stephen, finally, I know you are expecting your first child. Congratulations. Now this is for both of you. Your 17 year old comes home one day and says a TV producer has approached them and wants them for a reality show about their high school. Do you let them?

[Tre Phillips]

I feel like this is one of those things where you should in advance create an impossible test that you say if you pass this test, you can do it.

[Danielle Fishel]

Right, Right. So smart.

[Stephen Colletti]

Yeah. I think I would be very hesitant. I would want to know what trajectory do they think that they're on? Because if they've got a plan and it's not anything related to maybe being in the entertainment industry, it's like, let's not take this side quest. You're probably gonna find a lot of the moments very cringe later on in life. So just continue to grow off camera. But look, if they really wanted to do it and they have a plan of why and they feel passionate about it, it's like, I can't necessarily say. Nope, you can't.

[Danielle Fishel]

One thing that's a little different now than was back then is that now is there much life off camera?

[Stephen Colletti]

There's. That's what I always say. It's like if you have a public profile, you've been on reality show. Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

And so those mistakes that you guys made on national tv, for everybody, people are making just on Instagram. And that lives, you know, the Internet lives forever. TikTok. And so it's almost like, listen, you're gonna make these mistakes anyway if you have the opportunity to make some money.

[Stephen Colletti]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Have a nest egg.

[Stephen Colletti]

I feel like if I show my kid the show, like, I'm never doing that, immediately not cool.

[Danielle Fishel]

Right.

[Stephen Colletti]

So maybe that's the gameplay, strategically, as a gameplay. You want 16? Sit down. We've got a viewing party.

[Danielle Fishel]

I'll tell you, it does work. When my kids were saying six, seven, and bruh, and the minute I start saying it, they're like, all right, no more. So it does work. Just show them that you've already done it. They'll be like, not gonna step on you.

[Stephen Colletti]

Then there you go.

[Danielle Fishel]

Thank you both so much for letting me talk to you today. And I'm very excited about the special. Everybody can check it out on April 10th on Roku.

[Tre Phillips]

Thanks for hanging out. This was lovely.

[Danielle Fishel]

Thank you. Really fun. Teen Beat is an iHeart podcast produced and hosted by Danielle Fishel, executive producers Jensen Karp and Amy Sugarman. Executive in charge of production, Danielle Romo, producer and editor Tara Subbaksh. The theme song is by Mark Hoppus. Yes, that Mark Hoppus. Follow us on Instagram eenbeatpod.

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