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The Who What Wear Podcast
Lauren Conrad on the Laguna Beach Reunion, Millennial Nostalgia, and Her Favorite 2000s Fashion Trends
00:26:46
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- [00:11]
A
Welcome to the who what Where? Podcast. I'm Hillary Kerr, and today I'm passing the mic to our executive editorial and style director, Lauren Eggertson for a conversation with the one and only Lauren Conrad, but her friends call her Elsie. Lauren was the breakout star of MTV's Laguna beach, who later went on to pursue her fashion career on the hills. In honor of the 20th anniversary of Laguna beach, we're time traveling to the early 2000s to talk about the cultural impact of the show, how Lauren knew it was time to leave reality TV, and, of course, the return of Y2K fashion. The reunion. Laguna beach streams on the Roku channel on April 10, so make sure to tune in. It's all coming up on who, what where.
- [01:06]
B
Lauren Conrad, welcome to the who what Where? Podcast. Thank you. We are so excited to have you. Laguna beach is such a memorable, important part of, just, like, nostalgia for the early 2000s. And I can speak for myself. I'm from Orange county, so it was a huge part of me growing up. And our audience is so, so excited. Our whole team is so excited. We just have such a soft spot for you specifically. So thank you for talking with us.
- [01:30]
C
Yeah.
- [01:31]
B
So Laguna beach was only for three seasons, and you and the original cast were only in it for two. But the show had such a lasting cultural impact. I think a lot of that had to do with the way it captured a very specific moment in time, including the fashion, of course, which we're going to get to. But I'd love to hear your perspective. Why do you think the show has held our attention for 20 years?
- [01:52]
C
I think it's exactly what you said. I think it's that moment in life where everything's about to change. You're about to leave your hometown, and it's exciting and it's scary, and I think that so many people could relate to that.
- [02:04]
B
Yeah, definitely. If Laguna beach existed today as a show, in what ways do you think it would be the most different? Especially kind of considering the inevitable involvement of social media, influencer, marketing stylists, all that jazz.
- [02:18]
C
I don't think you could create the same show today. I don't know what it would look like. I think part of the appeal of this show is, like, we didn't know what we didn't know. We didn't know to not be ourselves or to filter ourselves. Like, there were obviously no stylists or makeup artists there. Like, we were just, like, throwing on tank tops and, like, showing up to film, and I think that's what makes it feel so authentic. We weren't doing it necessarily to like launch a brand or do anything that a lot of people do today, which is smart and I get. But we didn't even know that was an option. A lot of us were just like stoked to not have summer jobs. And also we talk about this all the time. Didn't think it was ever going to air. Like, this was just kind of like a cool experience that we did. And we thought it would just be like a fun little project after it
- [03:00]
B
aired the first season. Like the timing of behind the Scenes, I know it's not exactly like airing in real time. How did your experience at school change?
- [03:09]
C
Okay, so I left for college. I went to school in San Francisco, an Academy of Art university out there. And the first weekend I was at college, I had to fly to the VMAs where they showed our trailer for the first time. Everyone had already left. It was pretty life changing immediately. And it was also odd to like start at a new school with that happening at the same time. And I actually, I didn't stay there for very long. Cause I was flying home every weekend to do voiceovers. They were editing these episodes weekly. And I would fly home every Thursday and come back on Sunday night for school.
- [03:41]
B
That is wild. Definitely not the typical no start to a college journey. No looking back. Obviously, I'm sure you've done so much reminiscing now with the 20 year reunion, but what do you think people misunderstood the most about you back then? Or was there a plot line that you felt was misconstrued or dramatized at the time that in reality really wasn't actually a big deal.
- [04:01]
C
They were very committed to a love triangle story. And so a lot of that was exaggerated. But they had to make a storyline. Like, one of the things that was really cool about this reunion is I got to be part of production. And it was very interesting to see how the show is put together. And this obviously wasn't a typical show, but just like how decisions are made and how you form, you know, scenes and storylines. And I'm like, I think they did a great job. I totally understand why they did it. I think at the time I was like, that's not how it went down. But I was like 18 and I
- [04:32]
B
was like, I mean, it's hard, especially in those, like formative years. You feel like your identity is probably so tied to that. And being able to look back now when you're fully formed and have a full life, you're just like, mostly formed.
- [04:43]
C
Still figuring it out.
- [04:44]
B
Yeah.
- [04:44]
C
Yeah.
- [04:45]
B
I would assume that being a part of production, now that I know that is, actually will help this answer. But I'm curious if there was a moment or a part of the reunion that really surprised you or changed your perspective on something.
- [04:57]
C
You know, we were heavily involved in production leading up to the filming of this, and we filmed this reunion over three days. I felt a lot of pressure as an executive producer to, like, give them what they needed. And so that was a little bit of a shift for me because in previous years, I just showed up and I was myself. There was, you know, it felt like more pressure.
- [05:16]
B
Yeah.
- [05:16]
C
I was like, I hope we're giving them what they need in this scene.
- [05:18]
B
Yeah. And that everyone's talking about some pretty
- [05:20]
C
random stuff like, no, I hope this works.
- [05:22]
B
Yeah. Oh, my gosh. Well, I watched the screener and it was all amazing. Yeah. Thank you.
- [05:27]
C
Loved it. Thank you.
- [05:28]
B
People are gonna freak out.
- [05:29]
C
I hope so.
- [05:30]
B
Everyone's been, like, foaming at the mouth. I feel like this reunion for so long. So it'll be perfect. Everyone's saying that. Yeah, of course. I feel like the world during that time was and still is so obsessed with you as an individual. The famous Elsie. But it must be hard having this moment from your high school days be such a defining, like, plot line in your story. So I'm curious how you balance honoring your past but not being defined by it.
- [05:54]
C
I fortunately went on for years and continued to film, so a lot. A lot more of me was shown later on. So I don't feel really defined by, like, two seasons of this show because I went on to shoot. I. I can't remember maybe five more seasons of another show. And I feel like I was becoming more confident myself. I was growing up. And so I think that over that full span, there was a better representation of me as someone in their young twenties. So I don't feel defined by it. I very much appreciate it as my roots. I love this group of people. I'm so excited that we came together. This was like the most fun, organic thing, and I hope that comes across in this reunion. And from day one, we always said we were like, this is not a table flipping thing. Like, this is a group of people who actually really love each other and shared a really unique experience and have never all come together in one room and had an honest conversation about it. And that's what we wanted to capture. We wanted this to feel nostalgic and honestly, like, we wanted people to feel good.
- [06:52]
B
It was much more emotional than I thought watching it back oh, yeah. I was tearing up when it was.
- [06:56]
C
Who were you? Yeah. Was it the family thing?
- [06:58]
B
The family thing was definitely tough, but sweet and even just like, learning more about the depths of certain relationships that have lasted over time.
- [07:07]
C
I have two sons right now, 6 and 8. And I'm like, I knew some of these people when I was that small, and it's very cool to see them, like, forming these relationships. And I'm like, these could be lifelong relationships, because I have those.
- [07:19]
B
Well, I know we're here talking about Laguna beach, but I have to ask. When I think about a defining Lauren Conrad moment in media, dear. Yeah, I think about you'll always be known as the girl who didn't go to Paris. And I just have to ask you because I think people would love to know, like, how do you feel about that moment now? Do you hear about it a lot? Do you forget about it? What's your relationship to that famous line?
- [07:41]
C
So I don't wanna tell this story incorrectly, but my understanding was that that was a very real line that actually came from Anna and. Cause she didn't know my name. They must have mentioned the show at some point. And she said, oh, the girl who didn't go to Paris. And they were like, yeah, we're gonna use that. And so they repeated it in the show. You'll always be known as the girl who didn't go to Paris. Which is funny.
- [08:01]
B
It's very funny. It's very funny.
- [08:03]
C
And it's so funny because the next season, we did go. Yeah, it's not very quick. Very shortly after we did go, but no one cared. It's fine. I think it's funny. Okay.
- [08:13]
B
I'm glad you think it's funny.
- [08:14]
C
I do.
- [08:14]
B
I think it's funny for a lot of millennials, specifically because I think we have such a specific relationship to career. And, like, the notion of that comment is, like, you made one choice that is now defining you is absurd and just not true. And I think that, like, stuck with us of, like, oh, I'm gonna be known as the girl who, like, never did this thing, or, yeah, it will stick with you.
- [08:34]
C
I still get it. I don't feel defined by it. It was funny, though, because the producer on that show had set it all up just so sure I would go. Like, he for sure was like, oh, it's Paris. Like, she's going to go. And I had been filming nonstop for so long that I just needed a break. Like, I was so burnt out. And he was like, okay, so we're going to Go to Paris. And I was like, I can't do it. Like, I just need a break.
- [08:58]
B
Yeah.
- [08:59]
C
And he would call me every day and be like, you're really not gonna go to Paris? And I was like, I'm really not gonna go. He was so mad at me. And it's funny because it turned into such a big thing, but it was so not what they wanted. They wanted me to go to Paris. They were, like, ready for it. But I was like, I just need a break. I just need a couple weeks off.
- [09:15]
B
Yeah. I mean, you deserve it. You had quite a life leading up to it.
- [09:18]
C
I didn't get a full two weeks off because my boyfriend and I, at the time broke up immediately. And then they had to rush cameras back, and then they said, no more breaks. Oh, my God. So I was like, I did all this to get a break. I got, like, a few days off. And then they were like, bring them back.
- [09:33]
B
I feel like I should have been the girl who went to Paris.
- [09:35]
C
I should have just gone to Paris. Oh, my God.
- [09:37]
B
That's amazing. We have to dive into your style both on and off the camera.
- [09:41]
C
Oh, yeah.
- [09:41]
B
I feel like you influenced a whole generation with your personal style, especially during that time and afterwards, leading into the hills. I genuinely don't think we would have been layering our tank tops as confidently as we were without seeing you and your friends and what you were wearing on Laguna beach in the early 2000s. But I'm curious, at that time, where were you getting fashion inspiration? What was your relationship to it?
- [10:01]
C
My friends? Yeah, we were all kind of just dressing alike. There was, like, a couple local boutiques that we would all shop at. We would just wear, like, a pair of Miss 60 jeans, maybe a studded belt layer. A couple tanks.
- [10:13]
B
Yeah.
- [10:13]
C
Rocket Dogs, obviously. Done. Yep.
- [10:16]
B
I remember the Black Flamingo that time. Black Flamingo, this little store in Laguna.
- [10:21]
C
I don't remember that.
- [10:22]
B
I feel like one time someone on the show went to it, and all my friends were just like, oh, we have to buy everything from here.
- [10:28]
C
Yeah, we did. There was a show. There was a store called Merrily's, which is still there. And it was like, everyone got their bathing suits there, and they had, like, this, like, spaghetti that everybody wore. And there was a Veronica M Boutique. There was a couple.
- [10:40]
B
Yeah. Oh, my gosh.
- [10:41]
C
But, yeah, we just had, like, a handful of boutiques we would go to. And then who did the tanks? You know what I'm talking about? Yes. Cnc. Yes. That was, like, the tank. Yeah. It was very simple. And I don't think we were even thoughtful about the way we were dressing. Like, we weren't like, this is going to be on tv. We should, like, take some time to get ready. Half the time, we've just rolled out of bed.
- [11:00]
B
That's what I was. Teenagers was like, was there a point ever where you started thinking about it, or were you just in the hills?
- [11:06]
C
I did okay because I had a better understanding. I was like, oh, this is going to show up. People are still like, you know, season one. Like, I didn't have a lot of money. Like, most of my clothes are for Forever 21. Like, I was just kind of trying to make it work. And I would try not to repeat outfits at that point because I was like, I don't know how this is going to be cut. I don't want it side by side.
- [11:22]
B
So interesting. Yeah, that's a lot to manage without, like, a team.
- [11:26]
C
Yeah. There was no. There was no team. There was no clothing budget. There was. It was all on us.
- [11:30]
B
Yeah. I think that's why it's so nostalgic, because it's really like a time capsule of how teenagers actually were existing at the time. In prepping for this interview, I spoke to our team of editors, and almost every single person had an anecdote about you. We were like, we're going to talk to Lauren Conrad. Like, what should we ask her? And everyone just flooded the comments. So I won't bore you with them, but most of them were about your style and how you inspired them growing up, whether it was mimicking the way that you styled your hair, your outfits, or buying clothes. Your Kohl's line, that was launched in 2009, which we still love. So when did you kind of realize the impact you were having on other people versus, like, oh, I need to start caring about my style a little.
- [12:07]
C
I think I was aware of the impact when I started doing, like, appearances and sort of meeting with people who would see the show. And a lot of questions were directed at clothing, and that, you know, that was obviously a passion of mine. I really wanted to get into design. And when I was able to do the Kohl's line, that was amazing because I was like, I just want to replicate, like, what I want to wear. That makes so much sense. I always dressed for myself. I always just wanted, like, I had certain things that I. That I loved wearing. I definitely dressed dressed girlier back then. I dress like a tomboy now. Not today, but most days.
- [12:43]
B
No, I love that. I feel like that is honestly the recipe For a true style icon or someone that's memorable for their style. I feel like we're talking a lot about that with Carolyn Bessette Kennedy right now. People trying to recreate her style, but it's. You can't do it. Because it was true to who she was. She wore things that suited her. And I feel like you were very similar. Like, yes, you would wear things that suited you, but then because everyone was obsessed with you, they wanted to just copy it, but you weren't chasing ever trends or anything. Like, it never felt like that. I think to anyone I know I'm.
- [13:13]
C
I'm like in the middle of that right now. It's so good the way she wears a cardigan like a scarf.
- [13:17]
B
It's crazy.
- [13:18]
C
I was like, why have I never thought to do that? It's so cute.
- [13:20]
B
I think she does, like, she gets the styling. And I'm like, yes, I need dirty hair.
- [13:24]
C
The styling on that show is everything. I was watching the behind the scenes, and they were talking about all the extensions they put in her, and I was like, I feel better. Yeah, because her hair is incredible. And I was just like, that is the. And I'm like, oh, it makes me feel better than some of the extensions.
- [13:37]
B
No, she is insane. She's so beautiful.
- [13:39]
C
So pretty.
- [13:40]
B
So in the first season of the show, there was so much teen angst about the cast needing to, like, lead the bubble.
- [13:46]
C
Oh, get out of here.
- [13:47]
B
Get out of here. And as I mentioned, I'm from Orange county too, so I definitely relate. And I, like, moved back now as well from after, like, living in New York and la, so it's so addicting. I understand. But looking back, what do you feel like the show got wrong about growing up in Laguna Beach? And what do you think it got right?
- [14:02]
C
What I like about this town is it. And I think they represented this. It does have, like, a very small town feel, and things are very laid back there. And I think at one point, I think. I don't know if they were trying to, like. I don't know, they were glamorizing it, but I. I think that things are much more casual there. And I think they tried to make it feel, like, more elevated and fancier, but I don't know, I feel like people are pretty chill.
- [14:24]
B
Yeah.
- [14:24]
C
Yeah.
- [14:25]
B
It's a very chill place.
- [14:26]
C
Yeah, I like it.
- [14:27]
B
Thanks to the Hills, we all got to follow you out of the Laguna bubble and watch you start your career. But when you left Laguna to go to San Francisco and later la, how did you feel like, your sense of style changed. Just personally, outside of media stuff, I
- [14:39]
C
think living in a city changes you. Just like the way you dress and I think your lifestyle. I was. I definitely grew up a lot in those years and I was working a lot. I was taking a lot of meetings. So I felt like I needed to step up the way I dressed. I'm a more casual person. Like, I love to be in a tank top and jeans still to this day. Like, that's my daily wardrobe. So I was dressing up more at that point in my life just because it's what it required. I was also going out a lot. Like, the nightlife during that period was insane. We were talking about it last night. Like, it just can never be that again. And it was so good.
- [15:13]
B
Oh, yeah. It's not a thing anymore.
- [15:15]
C
I know it's not. And I just. Oh, God. We had so much fun.
- [15:18]
B
It looked like it, at least from
- [15:19]
C
what we could find. And we would get dressed up at night and like, have fun. I mean, I don't do that much anymore, you know, nice dinners. But yeah, it's a different thing.
- [15:28]
B
Oh yeah, it's a totally different thing. I know we think about my friends and I talk about like, going out style and I'm like, what cute top and jeans? Yeah, but like back then it was like the joke of the business casual, you know, like, my gosh. Yes. You're like little pencil skirt or your blazer. Like, what happened?
- [15:44]
C
Oh my God. A really tight top knot or what's that? Remember that donut people would put in donut?
- [15:49]
B
The little pumps. You're like, show pumps. The whole thing.
- [15:52]
C
Oh, I loved it.
- [15:52]
B
Too crazy. Speaking of, there were countless early aughts trends back then that are now resurfacing again, which I've heard you talk about. What's one trend from back then that you feel like you still wear today or would wear today and enjoy?
- [16:07]
C
I've always worn ugg boots. Does that count?
- [16:09]
B
Uggs were huge. There's like low rise jeans, big sunglasses, flip flops.
- [16:14]
C
I actually always love big sunglasses.
- [16:15]
B
Okay.
- [16:16]
C
The ones I wear. I'm funny. I commit to a style because I have to get special lenses put in them for migraines. So I'll find a style I like and I'll buy it in several colors and I get all the lenses and then every few years I update it. So right now I'm smaller. And it's mostly because I play a lot of tennis and I want to be able to play in them. But I've always Loved a. The bigger the better. I love a giant sunglass. They're so fun, those Dior ones, those buggy ones, they're so good. I still have them in my close.
- [16:49]
B
Oh, my gosh. I'm waiting. You should bring them out. I feel like definitely the bug eye look is definitely coming back. Like, there's a pair from Kate and Oliver Peoples that you collab and I'm like a smaller sunglass girl, too. And I'm like, oh, I need to spend so much money on those sunglasses. I love them. Is there anything you wore during the show that genuinely horrifies you looking back, or do you stand by all the early aughts moments? Yes.
- [17:15]
C
Let me try and think of one. There was this one outfit I wore that, and I've rewatched it for this reunion that I was like, oh, God. It was for, like an open mic night that some of the kids did. And it's like this plunging. It was just inappropriate. I didn't need to be wearing it. It was like a plunging black. I'm sure it was forever 21 and like backless halter situation with like a low rise jean and like a very skinny heel. It was just like that. If I was going to the club.
- [17:44]
A
Yes.
- [17:45]
C
But this was like a coffee shop that I showed up to and I was like, why did I put that on?
- [17:49]
B
Why was I doing the most?
- [17:50]
C
I don't.
- [17:52]
B
I heard on the show that you left TV, I think around 24. So I'm curious what the reason for the pivot was to become slightly less online or in the media.
- [18:02]
C
I had done it for years and I was ready to have my own life and live it just for me. Yeah. I did it as long as I could. And I was starting to like. I was like, I don't think this is for me anymore. The show was doing so well that I knew if I left, they could continue it without me. And I was talking to Kristin about this. She was asking how I felt about her stepping in. And I was like, I was thrilled because I was ready to make my exit and I knew that bringing you in was going to give it, like, some breath. And I was happy about it. I was just. I knew I was done. And everyone told me not to leave.
- [18:31]
B
Oh, really?
- [18:32]
C
Everybody told me not to leave.
- [18:34]
B
Interesting.
- [18:35]
C
I think my parents supported me. They were like, yeah, get out of there. It's crazy over there. Yeah. No. Everybody was like, no, you don't leave a show when it's doing well like this. And I was just like, I gave it. Everything I had. I need to go live my life for me. And I think at the time, I had a. I had a serious boyfriend who wasn't on camera. And, yeah, I was just.
- [18:54]
B
I was ready and leave on a high. I feel like. Leave on a high and, like, on your terms.
- [18:58]
C
No, no, I. I agree. No, no, I. I 100% would do it again exactly the same way. I feel really good about it. I think I was lucky that it worked out. It's a lot to live your life that way and also to do it, like, during developmental years like that. Like, I was 18 to 24, so you're figuring it all out while being judged by people. So it was hard. So I was like, I would really like to make some mistakes and not everyone know about it.
- [19:21]
B
Right.
- [19:22]
C
Yeah.
- [19:22]
B
I think you deserve that.
- [19:23]
C
Thank you.
- [19:24]
B
You've obviously always loved fashion, and you went on to have a very thriving fashion career. Do you feel like if the show never happened, do you think your career would have followed a similar trajectory or potentially look different?
- [19:35]
C
No, I absolutely would not have had the opportunities I had. Like, I thank my lucky stars every day for my deal with Kohl's. They are amazing partners. We've going on 16 years now.
- [19:45]
B
Are you, like, one of the longest standing brand partnerships there?
- [19:49]
C
One of the longer, yeah. But I just have such a great relationship with them. I love my team. Like, they've always been so supportive of me and, like, really open to hearing my ideas, and I feel very lucky to have that partnership because they don't really give those out anymore.
- [20:03]
B
Yeah.
- [20:03]
C
Like, it's. The partnerships now are very short.
- [20:06]
B
Yes.
- [20:07]
C
So the longevity that I've had in my career, I know, is rare, and I'm very lucky, so. And no. And I wouldn't have had the opportunity if I hadn't been on television.
- [20:15]
B
What does a typical day look like for you now? And you can include, you know, your involvement with Kohl's and how that shapes your day to day.
- [20:21]
C
My day's pretty flexible, usually because a lot of my work is done over email. So I'm communicating with my teams that way a lot. So I'm kind of working throughout the day, but it allows me the flexibility to, like, be really present with my kids, which I love and is such a gift, because also, we're just in that window. Like, they're so cute and, like, I want to soak it up because I know in a few years, they won't want to hang out with me anymore. So I'm like, I don't Want to miss this part. So I am busy, but in like the best way. And I also like, love my job, so it's really great. But I don't work like I did in my 30s. My 30s. I like, was working constantly and my goal was always, I wanna work really hard right now so that I can enjoy my family life. And it's worked out, so. Yeah. Okay.
- [21:07]
B
Have you ever watched the show back as an adult and would you ever let your kids watch it if they're interested when they get to an age?
- [21:14]
C
So I had to for this project. Okay. I hadn't until recently. I watched a couple of them when Steven and Kristin did a podcast and invited me on. And then I think I watched them all before this reunion because we cut a lot of old footage. I was helping, you know, figure out, like what we want to focus on, what questions. So it's hard to watch yourself. Yeah, it's always hard to watch yourself. No matter what. It's hard to watch yourself 20 years ago when you're just like, like so lost, like figuring it out.
- [21:43]
B
You're just like.
- [21:44]
C
It's pretty embarrassing to watch back. I'm okay with it now. And I think people are very forgiving because they understand that we were all 18, 17, 18. I would let my kids watch it when they're old enough. I don't think there's anything on there that I'm. No, no.
- [21:57]
B
Okay. So in the reunion, you say, I just want to give myself my 18 year old self a hug because I can see that I'm so insecure. If you could Talk to your 18 year old self today, when you were about to start filming the show, was there anything you would tell her?
- [22:09]
C
So much. We would talk about sun protection and. Yeah, I think that 18 year old, I think especially women are just really hard on themselves. You're just like questioning everything. You're just. I was really insecure. It was hard to try and be myself in front of a camera. I would just give myself a hug. I don't even know what I would say, but I would just. I think everyone goes through it. It's hard to tell someone, just be more confident. But it's just a hard time.
- [22:40]
B
With the Laguna beach reunion, the Hannah Montana reunion, the Devil Wears Prada sequel, and all of the Hilary Duff resurgences that are happening this year, it feels like every millennial is feeling a lot of feelings.
- [22:52]
C
Who? What?
- [22:53]
B
Where is also having its 20th anniversary this year. And I have to mention that back in the day, you were actually a guest editor for us in 2016. I think you just, like, answered questions for us, so you email me, turn them into articles. But we went back and read them all, and it was so cool. It was just you talking about how to, like, style ankle boots or your favorite T shirts or, you know, things like that. It was amazing. But we just feel like we're kind of all coming up together. So this is a really cool, full story.
- [23:17]
C
I remember who, what, where was so fun to go when you started out as website. I used to go on all the time, and I just. Yeah, it was such a big deal. And if you ever got on there, it was like, oh, they got on. Who, what, where? And it's been really cool to watch that journey.
- [23:31]
B
Oh, thank you. Yeah, we're. We're very proud of it, and it's definitely grown so much over the years, but we always appreciate looking back and seeing all the people who supported us back then. And you were definitely one of our big it girls, where our audience just, like, bought everything that you wore and needed to know every detail of your outfits. And especially for us, with this 20th anniversary coming up, we're doing a lot of brainstorming about those moments that, like, were core to us, and you are such a key player in that. But I'm curious for you if there's a show or pop culture moment that makes you feel really nostalgic. And how does it feel knowing that you're creating that for other people?
- [24:05]
C
I mean, I was obsessed with the OC Cause that came out my senior year, and we used to all watch that together and loved it, and it was the same thing we wanted. We were like, oh, what is she wearing? Like, I remember there was, like, a Marc Jacobs bag on there, and I was like, I need that bag.
- [24:16]
B
Yeah.
- [24:17]
C
Yeah. I think that was probably the most inspirational show as far as, like, trying to emulate style and being obsessed with.
- [24:25]
B
Yeah.
- [24:25]
C
And I loved Gossip Girl.
- [24:27]
A
Yes.
- [24:28]
B
Yeah. Gossip Girl was amazing. And how do you feel knowing that you create that for other people? Weird.
- [24:35]
C
Well, because the shows that I was looking at were, like, beautifully styled. And I'm like. The fact that we were just showing up and people were like, yeah, we could do that too. I was like, oh, take no notes here.
- [24:46]
B
We do not know what we're doing. Oh, my gosh. I love it. I have to ask. Do you think we can expect a Hills reunion anytime soon?
- [24:54]
C
You know, I think this is the last thing I'm gonna do. It's one of the reasons I signed on to do it with Steven and Kristin, when the conversation started is I was like, I'm living a relatively normal life. I love it. I feel so good about, like, where I'm at in my career, but I also, like, I know this is gonna happen in some way or form, and I would love to be a part of it with everybody. I love everybody in this group, and I think there's something kind of cool about starting and ending my. My television career with the same group of people. Yeah. So I was like, I would love to bookend it. Yeah.
- [25:26]
B
And I love that everyone participated. That was really cool. Yeah.
- [25:30]
C
Everyone's here but Lo.
- [25:31]
B
Oh, I know.
- [25:32]
C
We made a cardboard cutout of her.
- [25:33]
B
Stop. Oh, my God.
- [25:35]
C
I got her permission.
- [25:36]
B
I want to see it.
- [25:36]
C
It was like, I want you to be here. I was like, can we do this? She's like, yeah, girl.
- [25:40]
B
I love it.
- [25:40]
C
She would be here. She's recovering from her baby.
- [25:43]
B
Well, thank you so much for your time.
- [25:44]
C
Yeah, thanks.
- [25:45]
B
This will be such a good episode. We appreciate it.
- [25:53]
A
A huge thank you to fashion designer and TV star Lauren Conrad. You can now watch all episodes of the pod on our new who what where? Podcast YouTube channel. So please subscribe and check us out there. If you have any guest suggestions or any other feedback, find us on social media at who what Where? See you next Wednesday on the who what Where? Podcast. This episode was produced by Hilary Kerr, Summer Hammeris, and Natalie Thurman. Our audio engineers are at Glen Canyon Audio, and our music is by Jonathan, Leah,
- [26:39]
C
Sam.