Spencer Pratt became famous for being difficult to like. That was the whole point, really—MTV needed someone audiences could root against on The Hills, and he played the role perfectly. His relationship with Heidi Montag destroyed her friendship with Lauren Conrad, creating the central drama that kept viewers watching for six seasons.
Nearly two decades later, people still search for him. Some remember the villain from reality TV. Others follow his surprisingly successful reinvention on TikTok and Snapchat, where he’s become genuinely popular by being self-aware about his past while sharing his obsession with hummingbirds and crystals. His journey from reality TV antagonist to social media personality shows how fame can be rebuilt if you’re willing to laugh at yourself.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Spencer William Pratt |
| Date of Birth | August 14, 1983 |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6’0″ (183 cm) |
| Profession | Reality TV Personality, Entrepreneur, Social Media Influencer |
| Years Active | 2005–Present |
Life Before Reality Television
Spencer William Pratt was born August 14, 1983, in Los Angeles, California. He is the son of William Pratt, a Los Angeles-based dentist, and Janet Pratt. The family resided in Pacific Palisades, an affluent coastal neighborhood in Los Angeles, where Pratt’s parents had lived for over 40 years.
He has a younger sister, Stephanie Pratt, who also became a television personality. Growing up in Pacific Palisades meant proximity to Hollywood and the entertainment industry from an early age.
Spencer attended Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences, an elite private institution in Santa Monica, California, from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Crossroads is known for educating children of industry professionals, further immersing him in entertainment culture.
Pratt first appeared on television in 2005 in the short-lived reality series The Princes of Malibu. As creator and executive producer of the series, Pratt acted in the role of “manager/publicist/agent/stylist” for series star Brody Jenner. The show didn’t last long, but it introduced him to reality television production.
In December 2013, Pratt completed his undergraduate degree in political science at the University of Southern California. Pratt had left his studies to pursue television projects and re-enrolled in 2011. Finishing college ten years after starting shows persistence, even if the degree didn’t directly help his career.
Entering Reality TV and Sudden Fame
In 2007, he began dating Heidi Montag, a primary cast member of the reality television series The Hills. The Hills was MTV’s spin-off of Laguna Beach, following young women navigating Los Angeles careers and relationships.
Subsequently, he came to prominence after being cast in the series. Their relationship ultimately ended Montag’s friendship with fellow cast member Lauren Conrad. The ensuing feud among the three became the central focus of the series, and was carried through each subsequent season.
This wasn’t accidental. Reality TV thrives on conflict, and producers found their perfect villain in Spencer. Whether he was genuinely difficult or playing a character became impossible to separate—the show needed drama, he provided it, and his fame grew alongside the animosity.
The couple, collectively nicknamed “Speidi”, married in April 2009. Actually, they married twice—during the fourth season of The Hills, Montag and Pratt eloped in Mexico on November 20, 2008, but had a formal wedding ceremony later.
Public Image, Controversy, and Media Attention
After leaving the series, Montag and Pratt became notorious for their antics and antagonistic roles, notably during an interview with Al Roker of Today, and were described as “everything that’s wrong with America”. That’s harsh language, but it reflects how they were perceived at their peak fame.
TV Guide included him in its 2013 list of “The 60 Nastiest Villains of All Time”—quite an achievement for someone whose only villainy was being annoying on a reality show.
Looking back, Spencer himself acknowledged the mistakes in a 2011 interview with The Daily Beast: “We were living each other’s mistakes. Everything we were doing, in retrospect, was a mistake. The second we continued on our quest for fame was a mistake. This isn’t a business. That was the big thing I didn’t get: Reality TV is not a career”.
That quote shows self-awareness many reality stars never develop. He recognized that fame from The Hills wasn’t sustainable, that it had damaged both their reputations and finances, and that they’d have to rebuild differently.
Career Beyond Reality TV
In 2009, Spencer and Heidi appeared at the How I Met Your Mother episode “Benefits” as themselves. Later that year, they made controversial appearances on the second season of the American version of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!.
In 2013, Montag and Pratt competed as a single entity on the eleventh series of the British version of Celebrity Big Brother, and returned to compete as a single entity on the nineteenth series in 2017. They finished as runners-up in 2013, losing to singer Rylan Clark.
Pratt and Montag were houseguests on We TV’s Marriage Boot Camp, as they worked out their differences about having children. The show helped them address real relationship issues while keeping them on television.
While there, the couple met and became friends with Survivor winner Tyson Apostol and his girlfriend Rachel Foulger. When Marriage Boot Camp aired on television, Pratt and Apostol began hosting The Spyson Hour, a weekly podcast to recap the show.
Pratt developed a widespread fanbase on Snapchat by posting stories showing his family, daily life and his passion for hummingbirds. His popularity led to him being nominated in January 2018 for Snapchatter of the Year at the 10th Annual Shorty Awards, eventually winning the category. This represented genuine reinvention—he wasn’t playing a villain anymore, just sharing his genuine interests.
At the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards, MTV announced a reboot of The Hills entitled The Hills: New Beginnings, slated to premiere in 2019. Pratt was announced as part of the cast of the new series. The show followed the Pratts as they navigated running their business “Pratt Daddy Crystals” and wanting to expand their family. The show was cancelled after two seasons.
Net Worth and Income Sources
Spencer Pratt’s net worth is estimated to range from $300,000 to $10 million. The enormous range reflects uncertainty—some sources cite lower figures, others higher. Most reliable estimates place it around $300,000 to $1 million.
His primary income sources include reality TV, social media sponsorships, and his crystal business. Pratt Daddy Crystals, their healing crystal jewelry brand, has become a legitimate business venture rather than just a reality TV prop.
Over the years, Spencer and Heidi faced financial challenges, but their entrepreneurial spirit has helped them rebuild their finances. They’ve been open about spending their Hills earnings foolishly and having to rebuild from near-bankruptcy.
His social media following translates into sponsorship income. Brands pay for access to his hundreds of thousands of followers across platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat.
Marriage, Wife, and Children
He has been married to Heidi Montag since November 20, 2008. They have two children.
Their first child, Gunner Stone Pratt, was born on October 1, 2017. Their second son, Ryker Pratt, was born on November 17, 2022.
In January 2025, Spencer and Heidi lost their home in the Pacific Palisades fire. This was a devastating loss—the same neighborhood where he grew up, where his parents had lived for over 40 years. The fire destroyed their home and belongings, forcing them to rebuild yet again.
Their relationship has survived enormous public scrutiny. In July, Montag filed for divorce from Pratt, citing irreconcilable differences in the petition. However, they called it off in September after confessing that the action was intended to boost Montag’s ailing career. The divorce filing was later withdrawn, with both later saying the situation was influenced by the pressures of reality television and media attention.
Life Away From Cameras
Pratt developed a widespread fanbase on Snapchat by posting stories showing his family, daily life and his passion for hummingbirds. His hummingbird obsession is genuine—he’s created elaborate feeding stations and shares detailed videos about their behavior.
His crystal business isn’t just for show either. He genuinely believes in the spiritual properties of crystals and has built a business around that belief. Whether customers share that belief or just enjoy the jewelry, the business generates real income.
Spencer’s recent endeavors include pitching new reality show concepts and continuing his entrepreneurial ventures with Pratt Daddy Crystals, a crystal jewelry brand. He’s actively working rather than living off past fame.
Frequently Asked Question
Is Spencer Pratt still married to Heidi Montag?
Yes, they’ve been married since 2008, nearly 17 years. Despite a brief public divorce filing in 2009 (which they admitted was for publicity), they’ve remained together and have two sons.
What happened to his house?
In January 2025, their Pacific Palisades home was destroyed in the Los Angeles wildfires. The fire devastated the neighborhood where he grew up and where his parents had lived for over 40 years.
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