Last year, Spencer Pratt starred in the eight-episode Hulu series “Got to Get Out,” about a reality star living in a mansion.
At the time, his house had just burned down and he and his wife, Heidi Montag, were accepting every offer that came their way. At the press tour, he was asked if he would be interested in doing a show focused on family. The short answer is, of course.
“We’re in a situation right now where we’re homeless and we’re going to say yes, yes, yes to any opportunity,” Pratt explained on Entertainment Tonight last year. “It’s like 2009 Kim K-level hustle.”
Pratt is currently running for mayor of Los Angeles, garnering attention in a way he hasn’t since the early days of the MTV show “The Hills” (2006-10), which introduced him to America as “Heidi’s Boyfriend.” Along the way, he has tried to distance himself from reality TV, telling Fox 11 in March, “The reality is, I’m kidding, that was 20 years ago.”
But last week, TMZ reported that Pratt plans to turn his mayoral campaign into a show, and that the cameras will continue to roll even if he takes office. The report received an unusually strong denial from a Pratt spokesperson — “It’s categorically false and the record confirms it” — but statements from the Pratt campaign have given some leeway in the days since.
“This is not a start as there is no signed contract,” they told The Hollywood Reporter. “Nothing has been proposed, nothing has been filmed, there is no contract or deal of any kind. There are no cameras rolling and no plans for cameras to film at all.”
That doesn’t preclude a future deal, pitch, or shoot. Last year, Pratt told Variety that he was working with Hulu to develop a show about a family’s recovery from the Palisades fire. Sources say that even though that project is over, the reality star’s life is always hectic, and cameras and contracts are never in the background.
Plans to continue filming after Pratt takes office would violate the Los Angeles City Charter, which prohibits executives from receiving compensation for “outside activities.”
“You shouldn’t have a side hustle,” said Jeffrey Dahl, former head of the LA Ethics Commission. “People are choosing you for their full-time job.”
Pratt’s company, Pratt Productions, collects revenue from both his and Montag’s activities. The couple collected at least $10,000 each from 42 clients last year, including Snap, TikTok, Tubi, Amazon and Airbnb, according to their financial interest form.
In one such case, “The Hills” co-star Brody Jenner posted an ad for Frieda Bolles on Instagram. Frieda Balls is a brand of reinforced underwear designed to protect fathers from punches from toddlers.
“Family jewels should be closely guarded,” Jenner wrote. “The Fridaball allows us to keep kids safe even if a toddler gets shot in the groin.”
In the comments, Pratt responded, “What’s worse: rewatching the show or watching a toddler kick a ball? #fridadads.” (Frida Bolles paid Pratt at least $10,000 for sponsorship, according to the form).
Lucky Strike and the Beverly Center also paid at least $10,000 for the Pratt family to visit the mall’s bowling alley, which was photographed and reported on in the Daily Mail. Other sponsors include McDonald’s, Ride Wellness Shots, Factor Meals and hair growth product Vegamore.
Mr. Pratt would be barred from such opportunities as mayor, but Mr. Montag would be free to pursue such opportunities on his own. TMZ’s report said Montag and the couple’s two children will be a “big part” of the show, but the paper said the focus will be on Victory, at least for now.
Kate Aurthur contributed to this report.
