Kristin Cavallari Reflects on 'Laguna Beach' Rivalry with Lauren Conrad

The former reality stars say they've moved past their teenage drama ahead of the show's reunion.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 4:35am

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An abstract close-up photograph of shattered glass reflecting a faint red light, conveying the lingering tensions and drama from the 'Laguna Beach' rivalry between the two main stars.The former 'Laguna Beach' stars' on-screen rivalry may have fueled the show's success, but their reunion proves they've moved past the drama.Laguna Beach Today

Kristin Cavallari, who starred on the early 2000s reality show 'Laguna Beach' alongside Lauren Conrad, believes the rivalry between the two women was a key part of the show's appeal. Cavallari says she and Conrad were never friends, and their on-screen tension helped drive the drama that made the series a hit. However, the two have since made amends, with Cavallari noting they've 'moved past' their past differences as they prepare to reunite for a 'Laguna Beach' reunion special.

Why it matters

The 'Laguna Beach' rivalry between Kristin Cavallari and Lauren Conrad was a central storyline that captivated viewers during the show's original run. Their feud over a shared love interest, Stephen Colletti, fueled much of the drama that made the series so popular. This new reflection on their relationship sheds light on how reality TV producers sometimes manufacture or amplify tensions between cast members to create compelling television.

The details

In an interview, Cavallari explained that she doesn't think 'Laguna Beach' would have worked as well without the rivalry between her and Conrad. She said the 'allure' of the show was the two women 'against each other,' and that if they had made peace early on, it may have undercut the drama that viewers found so engaging. Cavallari acknowledged that their feelings were 'blown out of proportion for drama's sake' since they were just teenagers at the time.

  • The 'Laguna Beach' reunion special is set to premiere on April 10, 2026.

The players

Kristin Cavallari

A former cast member of the reality TV series 'Laguna Beach' who had an on-screen rivalry with her classmate Lauren Conrad.

Lauren Conrad

A former cast member of the reality TV series 'Laguna Beach' who had an on-screen rivalry with her classmate Kristin Cavallari.

Stephen Colletti

A former cast member of 'Laguna Beach' who was the object of affection for both Cavallari and Conrad during the show's run.

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What they’re saying

“I think it, honestly, worked out exactly how it was supposed to. I think that was sort of the allure was Lauren and I against each other, so I don't know if you put us together, I don't know what would have happened. Maybe we just would have made peace and then we wouldn't have had a show.”

— Kristin Cavallari

“It was part of what we wanted to show is that we've all grown, we're all adults, a lot of us are parents. And I think that as you get older, you're not worried about the small stuff.”

— Lauren Conrad

“Back in the day, I mean, I had guys that wanted to fight me. I had people just yelling Kristin or Lauren's name from across the street and offering their advice on dating. All sorts of weird interactions.”

— Stephen Colletti

What’s next

Fans of the original 'Laguna Beach' series will be able to see how Kristin Cavallari and Lauren Conrad have moved past their teenage rivalry when the 'Laguna Beach' reunion special premieres on April 10, 2026.

The takeaway

The 'Laguna Beach' rivalry between Kristin Cavallari and Lauren Conrad was a key part of the show's success, but the two women have since reconciled as adults. Their reflections on the drama highlight how reality TV producers sometimes amplify tensions between cast members to create compelling television, even if the real-life relationships are more nuanced.