Kristin Cavallari has no regrets about her time on Laguna Beach. Though the longtime reality TV star realizes she was “manipulated” as a teen on the series, she has perspective today. She’s firm in her belief that she wouldn’t change anything for the world. She’s happy with where she’s at and credits all the steps of her journey with getting her there.
In her recent interview with Bustle, Cavallari recalls her time working with MTV. While on the teen reality series — and later, on its grown-up counterpart, The Hills — Cavallari says she’s made peace with the difficult truth of the matter.
I think I walked away from Laguna Beach thinking that I was the only one MTV messed with and I got the sh*tty end of the deal, and I took everything so personally. They f*cked with everybody the same way they f*cked with me. … We were very young to have our lives manipulated like that. I’m not complaining about it. I’m so thankful for the show. I think it can be both things — I can feel like we were taken advantage of, and I can also be thankful for it.
Kristin Cavallari, Bustle
Cavallari is aware that she pioneered teen reality TV during a vulnerable time. While she doesn’t stand by every decision she’s made on camera, she’s proud of her ability to learn from what she’s seen played back.
At that age, 17, 18, no one really knows who they are, but it definitely made me be like, ‘I am not that girl on TV, but if there’s even a slight part of me that is, I know that I don’t want to be that.’ So maybe it actually was a blessing in disguise and made me be a nicer person in general.
Kristin Cavallari, Bustle
After Being Painted As A Villain For So Long, She’s Changed Her Story
Kristin Cavallari got her start with what we’d now call a “villain edit” on Laguna Beach. Since then, it seems she’s made few decisions without some kind of public criticism or backlash.
Cavallari has managed to navigate it, one situation at a time, as she went from NFL wife to divorced mom of three to the single, enterprising mom she’s proud to be today — while reclaiming her love life.
I’ve had 20 years of people b*tching about something I’m doing. I feel like my whole career has led me to this moment. This is the first time in my life I truly have not given a s–t what anybody thinks. I think if people are upset about it, that has nothing to do with me. You don’t know me. My life doesn’t affect you in the slightest. If that’s triggering for someone, they need to take a look in the mirror and figure out why.
Kristin Cavallari, Bustle
In the interview, Cavallari admits that she has certain markers for a time and financial position where she’d be comfortable discontinuing her public life. She looks forward to anonymity sometime in the future. The reality star explains she longs for a “chill life” after being in the spotlight since she was 17. She’s hopeful that will come as her three kids — 11, 9, and 8 — enter their adult years.
