Who is Spencer Pratt? LA mayor candidate and reality TV star

Spencer Pratt, the infamous reality TV star from MTV’s The Hills, has long been a master of manufactured drama and tabloid intrigue. Born in Los Angeles in 1983, he studied political science at USC before catapulting to fame in the mid-2000s as the show’s scheming villain, whose stormy relationship with Heidi Montag—now his wife since 2008—drove endless plot twists. But Pratt’s latest plot twist? A bold run for LA mayor, announced amid criticism of wildfire response failures that torched his own home.

From Hills villain to political firebrand

Spencer Pratt first grabbed headlines as the manipulative anti-hero on MTV’s The Hills, engineering feuds with co-stars like Lauren Conrad to spike ratings and tabloid buzz. His on-screen antics, including dramatic breakups and makeups with Heidi Montag, turned him into a reality TV archetype, blending genuine emotion with calculated chaos that kept viewers hooked through multiple seasons.

Beyond the show, Spencer Pratt parlayed his notoriety into spin-offs like The Hills: New Beginnings and international gigs on Celebrity Big Brother, where his villain persona thrived. He mastered self-promotion, openly admitting to staging paparazzi shots and stirring controversies, which experts cite as early blueprints for influencer culture and attention-driven economics.

Lately, Spencer Pratt has pivoted to wellness advocacy, hawking crystals and alternative health tips alongside Montag, while building a family with their two kids. This entrepreneurial shift, from music releases to social media hustles, underscores his adaptability—now channeling that savvy into a mayoral bid critiquing LA’s wildfire mishandling, as reported by outlets like The New York Times.

The wildfire that changed everything

The fire that changed everything

Spencer Pratt’s Pacific Palisades home went up in flames during the 2025 wildfires a personal catastrophe that fueled his rage against California’s leadership. As outlets like The New York Times report he blasted officials for botched responses claiming the system protects elites while everyday Angelenos suffer—igniting his improbable mayoral campaign against incumbent Karen Bass.

On the fire’s one-year anniversary January 7 2026 Spencer Pratt announced his bid at a rally for survivors vowing to disinfect L A’s dark political corners per the Los Angeles Times. Endorsed by GOP figures like Richard Grenell his longshot republican-leaning run in deep blue LA highlights his evolution from tabloid schemer to outspoken critic of wildfire aid mishandling.

Beyond politics Spencer Pratt shares a grounded family life with wife Heidi Montag and their two children often promoting crystals and wellness on social media. This blend of celebrity hustle and real-world advocacy positions him as a wildcard candidate drawing on his reality TV savvy to challenge the status quo in a city reeling from disasters.

Missing wildfire funds

Spencer Pratt’s fury over the 2025 Palisades fire isn’t just personal—it’s pointed at alleged corruption in aid distribution. Posts on X highlight his claims that a star-studded benefit concert raised $100 million for victims, yet the funds vanished without trace, leaving families like his in the lurch amid bureaucratic stonewalling.

This scandal, amplified by Pratt’s social media megaphone, underscores his shift from reality TV schemer to political agitator. Drawing on his USC political science background, he positions himself as an outsider ready to probe LA’s dark corners, as he vowed in his January 7, 2026, announcement rally.

While critics dismiss it as another Pratt publicity stunt, supporters see echoes of his tabloid mastery—turning controversy into clout. His campaign taps into public frustration, blending his ironic villain vibe with genuine calls for accountability in a city scarred by disaster.

Reality TV’s ironic icon

Spencer Pratt honed his villainous edge at Crossroads School before diving into political science at USC, skills that sharpened his tabloid mastery. Openly framing notoriety as a strategy, he engineered feuds with Audrina Patridge alongside Lauren Conrad, turning personal drama into ratings gold and early blueprints for influencer tactics.

Beyond TV antics, Spencer Pratt embraced meme culture with ironic self-awareness, reframing his bad guy status as brand gold. This savvy pivot fueled ventures like crystal retail shops, where he peddles wellness gems, blending alternative health hype with social media monetization for a devoted, quirky fanbase.

As a case study in early influencer economics, Spencer Pratt treats attention as currency and controversy as reach. His mayoral run echoes this ethos, leveraging wildfire outrage to challenge LA’s elite, proving his adaptability from reality stardom to political disruption.