She was reality TV’s original “bad girl.” 📺 Now Kristen Cavallari is a 39-year-old business owner, podcast star, and mom of three. From Laguna Beach to Nashville — this is the updated story.
Kristen Cavallari Then 🌱
Kristin Elizabeth Cavallari was born on January 5, 1987, in Denver, Colorado. Her parents, Judith and Dennis, divorced when she was young.
After the split, she lived with her mother in Barrington, Illinois, a Chicago suburb. As a teen, she acted out. Her mother made a tough call.
She sent Kristin to live with her father in Laguna Beach, California. It changed everything.
At Laguna Beach High School, MTV came calling. Producers were casting a new “docu-soap” about rich teens by the beach. Kristin, then 17, stood out.
“Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County” premiered in September 2004. Kristin became its breakout star — and its villain.
Her on-and-off romance with Stephen Colletti drove the show. So did her rivalry with Lauren Conrad. The love triangle made all three famous overnight.
Branded the show’s “bad girl,” Kristin later admitted it hurt. She was barely old enough to drive and already one of TV’s most hated faces.
The Middle: The Hills and Reinvention 👑
After Laguna Beach, Kristin chased acting. She had small roles in “Veronica Mars,” “CSI: NY,” and films like “Spring Breakdown” (2009).
Then MTV called again. In May 2009, she joined “The Hills” as Lauren Conrad’s replacement.
Her debut came at Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt’s wedding. She caught the bouquet. Then she took over as the show’s narrator.
She stayed through the sixth and final season in 2010. Reality TV had made her a star twice.
In 2011, she competed on “Dancing with the Stars” with Mark Ballas. She was eliminated early but stayed in the spotlight.
Then came the biggest role of her life. In 2010, she started dating NFL quarterback Jay Cutler. They married on June 8, 2013, in Nashville.
Three kids followed: Camden, Jaxon, and Saylor. Family life took center stage.
Tragedy struck in December 2015. Her brother Michael was found dead after a car crash. Kristin was devastated.
Like Lauren Conrad, Kristin turned fame into business. In 2017, she founded Uncommon James, a jewelry and lifestyle brand.
She also wrote a memoir, “Balancing in Heels” (2016), plus three cookbooks. The “bad girl” was becoming a CEO.
In 2018, E! premiered “Very Cavallari.” Set in Nashville, it followed her running Uncommon James and raising her family.
The show ran three seasons. But her marriage didn’t survive it. In April 2020, she and Cutler announced their divorce after a decade together.
Kristen Cavallari Now 📈
Today, Kristen Cavallari is 39 and done with old-school reality TV. In 2025, she announced she’s walking away from the format for good.
“It’s not part of my normal life anymore,” she said. After 20 years on camera, the stress and scrutiny weren’t worth it.
Instead, she bet on her voice. Her podcast “Let’s Be Honest” became a hit. In October 2025, she signed a multiyear, seven-figure deal with Dear Media.
The podcast covers everything: dating, wellness, parenting, and Laguna Beach rewatch episodes. Guests have included Travis Kelce, Bobby Flay, and Nikki Glaser.
In 2025, she took the podcast on the road. The multi-city “Headline Tour” sold out shows in Atlanta, Chicago, and New York.
E! filmed the tour for “Honestly Cavallari: The Headline Tour,” a docuseries that aired in summer 2025. Kristin called it the most real show she’s ever done.
Uncommon James keeps growing too. The brand now spans jewelry, home goods, and a kids’ line, Little James.
In April 2026, Laguna Beach fans got a gift. A two-hour reunion special premiered, bringing the original cast together for the first time in nearly 20 years.
The biggest surprise? Kristin and Lauren Conrad are friends now. The love triangle is ancient history.
Her dating life still makes headlines. After splitting from Jay Cutler, she dated social media star Mark Estes in 2024. She’s been open about dating again on her podcast.
She’s also been honest about parenting. Her sons Camden (13) and Jaxon (11) once heard her discussing her love life on the podcast. She called it a wake-up call.
From a 17-year-old “villain” to a 39-year-old boss. From scripted drama to honest conversations.
Kristen Cavallari didn’t just survive reality TV. She outgrew it — on her own terms. ✨
FAQs
How old is Kristen Cavallari now?
Kristen Cavallari is 39. She was born on January 5, 1987, in Denver, Colorado.
Is Kristen Cavallari still married to Jay Cutler?
No. Cavallari and Cutler announced their divorce in April 2020 after 10 years together. They share three children: Camden, Jaxon, and Saylor.
What is Kristen Cavallari doing now?
She hosts the hit podcast “Let’s Be Honest” (multiyear deal with Dear Media signed in 2025) and runs her lifestyle brand Uncommon James. She stepped away from traditional reality TV in 2025.
What is Uncommon James?
Uncommon James is Cavallari’s jewelry and lifestyle brand, founded in 2017 in Nashville. It has grown to include home goods and a children’s line, Little James.
Are Kristen Cavallari and Lauren Conrad friends now?
Yes. After years of rivalry on “Laguna Beach” and “The Hills,” the two reconciled and appeared together at the 2026 Laguna Beach reunion special.