The perennial heroine of "The Hills" was Lauren Conrad -- also known as "LC." She was one of the characters from "Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County," spun off to launch the über-successful "The Hills." For four years, cameras trailed her as she interned at "Teen Vogue," pursued a fashion career and was pursued by countless girls wanting to be her friends -- and a few young men who wanted more. She left the show in 2009 and published a book called "L.A. Candy" before launching her successful LC clothing line for Kohl's.
Lauren's original roommate on the show was her friend Heidi Montag, a young woman from Colorado. The ladies' friendship soured once Heidi met Spencer Pratt, whom she later eloped with to Mexico. The couple, later dubbed "Speidi" (a union between Spencer's name and Heidi's), became notorious for their volatile relationship and Pratt's alleged hot temper. The couple remained in the reality spotlight by appearing on shows such as "I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here," in 2009.
Originally Lauren's co-worker at "Teen Vogue," Whitney Port pursued her dream of a life in fashion for four seasons of "The Hills." Port's role on the show often revolved around her pursuit of that career, and she eventually landed her own spinoff in 2008 called "The City." Her show centered around her career at a public relations firm called "People's Revolution" and a subsequent job for Diane von Fursternberg. When "The City" ended in 2010, she was already deeply involved in the establishment of her clothing line, Whitney Eve.
The only cast mate to appear consistently in every season, Audrina Patridge was originally Lauren and Heidi's neighbor when she became a cast mate in the premiere year. Patridge and Conrad eventually became close friends, and when Montag moved in with Spencer Pratt, Audrina moved in with Lauren. Patridge's relationship with her on-again-off-again beau Justin, cheekily nicknamed Justin Bobby by occasional cast mate Lo Bosworth, was a running thread among all "The Hills" seasons. Patridge's post-Hills life included a 2010 stint on "Dancing With the Stars," where she was the seventh contestant eliminated.
Throughout the six seasons of the show, additional cast members included LC's good friend, Lo Bosworth, and Spencer Pratt's sister, Stephanie Pratt. When Lauren Conrad left to have a life outside of the constant scrutiny, her old nemesis from "Laguna Beach," Kristen Cavallari, joined the show.