21 Shocking Secrets Kristin Cavallari Told Us About "Laguna Beach" And Beyond

Given the infamous series finale of The Hills, we all know the show was heavily produced. Was this the case for Laguna Beach? Were there ever situations that the producers created just for the show?

Kristin Cavallari: Laguna Beach was definitely not as manufactured as The Hills was for me. Laguna Beach was more putting us in situations where we normally wouldn't be in or hanging out with people we wouldn't necessarily hang out with. In The Hills, I knew sort of this character that they wanted me to play. When I decided to come on board, I made a decision and I was like, "OK, this is my job and I'm going to separate my Hills life from my real life." It happened on Laguna Beach where you don't know what's real and fake and I saw cast members who couldn't distinguish what was real and what was fake anymore. It was kind of scary to see so I kept them very separate so that I didn't go crazy.

In the same vein, did producers ever feed you lines? Can you recall any?

KC: The only time producers fed me lines on Laguna Beach were more fake phone calls or pickup scenes. We'd film for nine months out of the year and then they would start cutting episodes together and they would realize that they needed a specific scene. So then we'd go back and film prom as though it didn't happen yet or we'd film it as though it just had happened. It wasn't necessarily an exact line as what to say on Laguna Beach. It was more just "talk about this." Whereas in The Hills, they would text us exactly what to say.

You and Lauren were constantly shading each other behind each other's backs on Laguna Beach. Was there as much of a rivalry between you and Lauren as the show portrayed?

KC: I think because of the show, the rivalry between Lauren and I sort of escalated. We were never friends. We just weren't. I didn't hate her before MTV came and the way it sort of turned into. And that's because I felt like she was trying to steal my boyfriend.

Is there a specific moment or a scene from Laguna Beach that makes you cringe the most?

KC: The entire thing! I was so obnoxious! I don't wanna watch it.

Do you ever find yourself watching Laguna Beach?

KC: NO. God no. I do not watch the show. It makes me cringe! I was on Access Hollywood this morning and they showed a clip. I was like, "OH MY GOD." I hate it.

You introduced Heidi and Spencer, which caused the bulk of the drama on The Hills. Do you feel any responsibility for the drama Speidi caused on the show?

KC: I am responsible for Speidi, that is true. Brody and I introduced them and we had no idea what it would turn into. I love Heidi and Spencer — I think they're funny. If you don't take them too seriously and you can just laugh with them, I think it's great.

Do you still keep in touch with Heidi and Spencer?

KC: I do. I talk to Heidi all the time.

After Season 2 of Laguna Beach, Lauren, of course, went on to star in her own spin-off series The Hills that you eventually starred in. Did MTV ever approach you to star in your own spin-off before you signed on to do The Hills?

KC: MTV didn't come to me to star in my own reality show but they came to me to go on The Hills numerous times. I kept being like, "No, that's Lauren's thing — I'm NOT going to do it." But with her leaving, obviously, it was too good of an opportunity to pass up.

When you were returning to reality TV on The Hills, MTV was promoting your return with the slogan "the bitch is back." Do you feel like you deserved to be called "the bitch"?

KC: MTV actually asked me if I was OK with them saying "the bitch is back." And I was like, "Yeah, let's do it. I'm coming back, let's make it big." I looked at it as a job and I was having fun so I was game for it.

You missed your 10-year high school reunion because you had just given birth to your daughter. Is there anyone from Laguna Beach that you want to catch up with?

KC: I missed my 10-year high school reunion because it was literally, I think, four days after I had my daughter. I was SO upset about that; I was really looking forward to it. Laguna Beach was small so literally everyone in my class I wanted to see. I have kept in touch with a lot of people and I do hear about everyone else through the people I do keep in touch with.

Stephen went on to star in One Tree Hill for multiple seasons after Laguna Beach. Did you watch?

KC: This is horrible but I've never seen a whole episode of One Tree Hill. Ever.

When was the last time you talked to Stephen?

KC: I've talked to Stephen recently — within the last couple months.

When you went to Cabo for spring break in Season 1 of Laguna Beach, your dad and Lauren's dad were shown in the episode hanging out. Were your dads friends while you and Lauren were rivals?

KC: My dad and Lauren's dad worked together and they were friendly. They definitely went to dinner a few times and stuff, which is sort of funny that we had this big feud.

You were 17 years old when you signed on to do Laguna Beach. How did your parents initially feel about you doing the reality show?

KC: My parents are divorced and I was living with my dad at the time. My dad was very excited about me doing Laguna Beach and he thought it was a great opportunity. My mom, however, living in Chicago, was a little nervous. I mean she had some reservations about MTV. I think there was a point in my life where I wasn't even allowed to watch MTV! I think I would be nervous too if my kids wanted to do a reality show for MTV at age 17.

If you ran into Lauren today, what would that interaction be like?

KC: If I saw Lauren today we would go up to one another, we would hug, we would ask how each other is doing. It's been a while, but the last few times I've seen her we've given each other hugs and it's been great.

Would you ever do another reality show if you were approached?

KC: I get approached all the time to do a reality show about my family. I'm always saying no because I want my kids to be kids. I want them to live as normal of a life as possible and not have to worry about all that comes along with being on reality TV.

Will you ever let your kids watch Laguna Beach or The Hills?

KC: I mean, I don't think I can stop them from watching. At some point my kids are going to be able to put a DVD in the DVD player. But I'm going to hold off for as long as I can.

As you made clear on the show, what happens in Cabo stays in Cabo. Now that you're a mother, will you ever let your kids go to Cabo for spring break when they're in high school?

KC: God! It's tough. When my kids are in high school I'm gonna know everything they're doing because I did it. I did it all so they can't get anything past me! But yeah, you know, I'll let them go to Cabo when they're 18.

What made you want to write your book Balancing in Heels?

KC: I wanted to write Balancing in Heels because I feel like in the last 10 years since everyone's been introduced to me — I've come a long way. People think they know me, coming from reality TV, but they really don't. I'm finally at a really good place in my life where I'm ready to share that journey with everybody.