$10 Million BLOWN—Now He Wants Power

Reality TV villain Spencer Pratt, who squandered $10 million and declared bankruptcy after MTV’s The Hills, now thinks he’s qualified to run America’s second-largest city as Los Angeles mayor.

Story Snapshot

Spencer Pratt announced his 2026 Los Angeles mayoral candidacy through his newly released memoir, targeting incumbent Karen Bass
The former reality star earned the title “Greatest Reality TV Villain” in 2015 after his manipulative behavior on MTV’s The Hills from 2007-2010
Pratt and wife Heidi Montag burned through their entire $10 million earnings and filed for bankruptcy in 2015 before launching a crystal business
No formal campaign filing has been verified as of January 28, 2026, raising questions about whether this is a serious bid or another publicity stunt

From MTV Drama to Political Ambitions

Spencer Pratt released his memoir on January 27, 2026, announcing his intention to challenge Karen Bass for the Los Angeles mayoralty. The 42-year-old reality television personality, best known as the antagonist on MTV’s The Hills, positions his candidacy as an anti-establishment bid fueled by his reinvention from bankrupt celebrity to businessman. Pratt completed his undergraduate degree at USC and launched “Pratt Daddy Crystals” after financial collapse, framing these achievements as qualifications for governing a city of nearly four million residents facing homelessness, crime, and infrastructure crises.

The Reality TV Villain’s Track Record

Pratt rose to fame in 2007 on The Hills as Heidi Montag’s manipulative boyfriend, earning widespread criticism for his toxic behavior and strategic exploitation of drama. He admits in his memoir that producers, particularly Adam DiVello, manufactured conflicts through editing to maximize his villain persona. After the show ended in 2010, Pratt and Montag spent their entire $10 million fortune on excessive luxuries, leading to bankruptcy in 2015. Their subsequent reality show appearances on Celebrity Big Brother UK and The Hills: New Beginnings failed to restore their financial stability, with the reboot canceled after two seasons.

Outsider Candidate or Publicity Stunt

Pratt’s political ambitions arrive conveniently timed with his memoir release, raising legitimate concerns about whether this represents genuine public service or another attention-seeking maneuver. No formal campaign filing has been confirmed, and his platform remains undefined beyond vague anti-establishment rhetoric. While conservatives appreciate outsider candidates who challenge bureaucratic machines, responsible governance requires more than manufactured controversy and crystal sales. Los Angeles faces serious challenges including rising crime, progressive policies that enabled illegal immigration sanctuary status, and fiscal mismanagement under current leadership. Voters deserve candidates with demonstrated leadership capabilities, not reality stars whose primary qualification is maximizing drama for television ratings.

Pattern of Self-Promotion Over Substance

Pratt’s career trajectory reveals a consistent pattern of leveraging controversy for personal gain rather than contributing meaningful value. His USC professor’s reframing of his Hills behavior as “performance art” illustrates how academic institutions rationalize destructive conduct when packaged as cultural commentary. This candidacy follows the troubling trend of celebrity-to-politics pipelines that prioritize name recognition over competence. While President Trump successfully transitioned from business and media to effective governance, he brought decades of negotiation experience, job creation, and clear policy positions. Pratt offers paparazzi stunts, financial irresponsibility, and a memoir capitalizing on past toxicity. Los Angeles residents frustrated with progressive incumbent Karen Bass deserve genuine conservative alternatives, not reality show gimmicks that trivialize serious governance.