Lauren Conrad Then and Now
By Cornell Scott / August 15, 2024
Lauren Conrad Then
Lauren Conrad, born on February 1, 1986, in Laguna Beach, California, is a notable American television personality and fashion designer.
Growing up in a picturesque coastal city, she developed an early interest in the fashion industry, which would later define much of her career.
Lauren is the eldest of three siblings, with two younger brothers, Breanna and Brandon.
Breanna, following in Lauren’s footsteps, also gained recognition as a reality television personality, contributing to the family’s visibility in the media.
Lauren Conrad attended Laguna Beach High School, where her experiences were documented in the reality TV series Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County.
This show provided a platform for her to showcase her life and aspirations, propelling her into the public eye.
The exposure from Laguna Beach led to further opportunities, including a role in The Hills, another reality series that chronicled her transition from high school to young adulthood and her burgeoning career in fashion.
Her early life in Laguna Beach, combined with her experiences during high school and reality television, laid the groundwork for her future success.
Lauren’s journey from a high school student to a prominent figure in fashion and media illustrates her ability to leverage her initial fame into a successful career, blending her personal brand with entrepreneurial ventures.
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Lauren Conrad Career History
Lauren Conrad’s rise to fame began with her participation in the MTV reality television series Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County, which premiered in 2004.
Alongside fellow Laguna Beach High School students Lo Bosworth, Kristin Cavallari, and Stephen Colletti, Conrad was thrust into the spotlight as the show documented their high school lives.
The first season of Laguna Beach focused prominently on a love triangle involving Conrad, Cavallari, and Colletti, capturing the drama and relationships of their teenage years.
Following her high school graduation, Conrad took her first steps towards a career in fashion by enrolling at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco.
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It was during this time that she met Heidi Montag, a future housemate and fellow reality star.
Conrad’s academic journey led her to transfer to the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles, where she further honed her fashion skills.
Conrad’s departure from Laguna Beach after its second season marked the beginning of a new chapter with the spin-off series The Hills, which premiered in 2006.
The show shifted its focus to Conrad’s experiences in Los Angeles, documenting her life alongside Montag, Audrina Patridge, and Whitney Port.
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Conrad’s presence on The Hills solidified her status as a television personality, though she eventually left the series halfway through its fifth season, with Kristin Cavallari taking her place.
In addition to her reality television work, Conrad has made guest appearances on shows such as Family Guy and Greek and has served as a guest judge on America’s Next Top Model.
She also appeared in a satirical role in the 2007 comedy film Epic Movie, showcasing her versatility beyond reality TV.
Conrad’s fashion career began with the launch of her first fashion collection, The Lauren Conrad Collection, at LA Fashion Week in March 2008.
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Despite its short-lived success, Conrad’s fashion ventures continued with the introduction of LC by Lauren Conrad in collaboration with Kohl’s in 2009.
This line, available nationwide, featured a range of products including clothing, bedding, jewelry, and accessories.
Conrad further expanded her fashion empire with the Paper Crown line, co-founded the fair trade online store The Little Market, and launched The Beauty Department with her stylist Kristin Ess and makeup artist Amy Nadine. In 2022, she introduced her first fragrance, LOVED by Lauren Conrad.
Beyond fashion, Conrad made a significant mark as an author. Her debut novel, L.A. Candy, published in June 2009, quickly became a bestseller on The New York Times list.
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The novel, inspired by her own experiences, follows Jane Roberts, a young woman navigating life in Los Angeles.
The success of L.A. Candy led to two sequels, Sweet Little Lies and Sugar and Spice.
Conrad has since authored several other books, including Lauren Conrad Style (2010), The Fame Game (2012), Lauren Conrad Beauty (2012), Starstruck (2012), Infamous (2013), and Lauren Conrad Celebrate (2016), further establishing her presence as a multifaceted media personality and entrepreneur.
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Lauren Conrad’s Personal Life
In February 2012, Lauren Conrad began a relationship with William Tell, a law student and former guitarist for the band Something Corporate.
Their relationship progressed quickly, with the couple moving in together in September 2013.
Just a month later, Conrad and Tell announced their engagement, marking a new chapter in their lives.
The couple’s commitment culminated in their marriage in September 2014, a celebration that highlighted their deepening bond.
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Before her relationship with Tell, Conrad had been romantically linked to several notable figures.
She had a high-profile relationship with television co-star Stephen Colletti, whose involvement in Laguna Beach had been a significant part of her early public life.
Conrad also dated Brody Jenner, another television personality, adding to her well-known connections within the entertainment industry.
Additionally, Conrad’s relationship with actor Kyle Howard, which lasted from 2008 to 2011, was a notable part of her romantic history before her engagement to Tell.
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Together with Tell, Conrad has two sons, continuing to build her family and personal life while maintaining her professional endeavors.
Lauren Conrad Now
At 38 years old, Lauren Conrad has established herself as a prominent figure in the realms of television, fashion, and literature.
Rising to fame in September 2004 with her role in the reality television series Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County, Conrad captured the public’s attention through her portrayal of her life and relationships in her hometown of Laguna Beach, California.
This initial exposure paved the way for her subsequent success in reality television and beyond.
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Conrad’s career continued to flourish after Laguna Beach with the spin-off series The Hills, which documented her life in Los Angeles and solidified her status as a media personality.
Following her departure from the show, Conrad shifted her focus towards personal milestones and professional endeavors.
In 2014, she married William Tell, a law student and former guitarist for Something Corporate.
The couple has since welcomed two sons, marking a significant chapter in Conrad’s personal life as she embraces motherhood.
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Professionally, Conrad has made notable strides in the fashion industry. She launched her clothing collection, LC by Lauren Conrad, in collaboration with Kohl’s, offering a range of apparel and accessories.
In addition to her fashion ventures, Conrad has made her mark as an author. Her literary contributions include both nonfiction and fiction works, such as L.A. Candy and The Fame Game.
These publications reflect her experiences and creativity, further diversifying her career and solidifying her influence across various fields.
As of February 2024, Lauren Conrad continues to balance her roles as a mother, fashion designer, and author, demonstrating her versatility and enduring appeal.
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Lauren Conrad’s Net Worth
Lauren Conrad is an American fashion designer, television personality, and author with a net worth of $40 million, reflecting her successful career across multiple industries and her entrepreneurial ventures in fashion and literature.
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FAQs
After leaving The Hills, Lauren Conrad focused on her fashion career, launching clothing lines with Kohl’s, and expanded her work as an author with both fiction and nonfiction books. She also married William Tell in 2014 and became a mother of two.
Lauren Conrad gained popularity through her role in Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County and The Hills, where her personal life and relationships were prominently featured, capturing the public’s interest and leading to significant media exposure.
Yes, Lauren Conrad attended the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles, where she pursued a degree in fashion design.
Lauren Conrad met William Tell in February 2012 when she was 26 years old.