The Drama on 'The Hills' Keeps Climbing
The third season of the reality show ended with a bang last night.
Dec. 10, 2007 — -- Sex-tape rumors, a pregnancy scare, backstabbing friends -- it's all in a day of the life of the cast of MTV reality hit "The Hills." The hard-partying Hollywood Hills friends live in the spotlight, treating viewers to three seasons of drama and crossing over from TV to the tabloids. "To see the rawness of the vitriol is pretty engrossing," says Us Weekly's Janice Min. Not to mention they are "an incredibly attractive group." Gearing up for Monday's season finale (10 ET/PT), USA TODAY examines the cast's appeal.
Lauren Conrad, 21
"Hills" history: After graduating high school and following a stint in San Francisco,Laguna Beach alumna and queen bee Conrad set off to live in L.A. andintern at Teen Vogue; attends fashion school and is a budding designer with her own expensive clothing line, Lauren Conrad Collection.
Tabloid fodder: Ongoing feud with Montag and Pratt; relationship rumors; weight loss, workout and style tips. Rarely misses a party or opening, and was recently spotted dining witha pregnant Nicole Richie.
Popularity factors: "She has almost an everywoman quality about her," says Min. "She hasn't gone to the dark side yet like other reality stars, and she seems to be handling her height and status with grace." However, some viewers "will say she's inflexible with her friends and judges them too harshly," says Min.
Heidi Montag, 21
"Hills" history: Conrad's original roommate and best friend until she began dating and subsequently moved in with Pratt. Has been accused of aiding a sex-tape rumor about Conrad and her ex-boyfriend, Laguna Beach alum Jason Wahler; also starting a clothing line.
Tabloid fodder: Ongoing feud with Conrad; plastic surgery; rocky relationship rumors. This season, Montag and Pratt have been bickering over their upcoming wedding.
Popularity factors: Along with Pratt, "they're good-looking, photogenic, do fun things and love the camera," says Min. "I think there are a lot of women who watch and they just want to shake Heidi" for being involved with Pratt.
