Spencer Pratt Was the OG Reality TV Villain, So Why Does Everyone Suddenly Love Him?

Before there was a Sandoval, a Scandoval, or even a Bachel-ette meltdown that sent America spiraling, there was Spencer Pratt—crystal-loving, camera-mugging, unapologetically chaotic Spencer Pratt. And if you were watching MTV’s The Hills in the late 2000s, you already know that he didn’t just lean into the villain edit—he practically invented it.

These days, the 41-year-old self-proclaimed fame addict is older and wiser yet still wildly entertaining and proudly villainous. On Not Skinny But Not Fat with Amanda Hirsch, Pratt opened up about everything from the devastation of losing his family’s home in the Los Angeles wildfires to his wife Heidi Montag’s unexpected pop music renaissance.

Spencer Pratt in the 2000s: A villain was born

Before reality TV strategy existed, Spencer delivered a Machiavellian masterclass on hijacking a show. He wasn’t just a cast member on The Hills—he was the show’s narrative engine, throwing grenades into friendships, dodging accountability with expert-level smirks, and telling cameras he wanted to be famous. That last part? Turns out he meant it.

“I never wanted to be loved,” he told Amanda Hirsch. “I always just wanted to get money to, like, have a good life… the easiest route was always being the antagonist or the, as they say, the villain”.

Spencer, meet TikTok. The new generation has officially resurrected his rep—and this time, they’re siding with him.

The wildfires, the lawsuit, and the hustle

In January, Spencer and Heidi’s dream home—one they’d poured every cent into—was destroyed in the Pacific Palisades wildfires. “Legitimately, you could drink our toilet water,” he said of the now-lost house, describing the high-end water filters and everything they’d invested in.

The insurance situation made the loss even more painful. After the Woolsey Fire, their insurer dropped everyone in the Palisades, forcing Spencer to turn to California Fair Plan, which only covered structural damage. The cost to rebuild? At least $5 million.

He’s now suing the city of Los Angeles while his hustle has kicked into overdrive. “I’m hustling like a psychopath because… I’m putting my whole life into achieving as close as we can get to pop stardom for Heidi,” he said.

Superficial no more

In a twist worthy of a Ryan Murphy finale, Heidi’s 2010 album Superficial is having a moment. “Heidi’s song ‘I’ll Do It’ blew up on Douyin in China,” Spencer explained. “We’re talking billions of streams… and checks started coming in for the first time in fifteen years”.

So naturally, Spencer did what he does best: plotted. They recorded new music, hired young producers, and rereleased Superficial for its 15th anniversary—three days after their house burned down.

New show, new era, same Spencer Pratt chaos

Now starring in Hulu’s Got to Get Out, a reality competition series that throws celebrities and civilians into psychological mind games, Spencer is thriving—and not exactly holding back.

He and Kim Zolciak-Biermann appear to form an alliance on the show, and he’s already calling out Omarosa for labeling him “the weirdest person on reality TV.”

“I’m not weird at all,” he shot back. “Diabolical, sure—that’s my brand. But weird? That’s just inaccurate”.

Therapy? TikTok.

So, how’s Spencer really doing? He says he hasn’t had time to process the fire emotionally, but plans to eventually “cry for a month with [his] hummingbirds” once they have a new home. In the meantime, he’s turned TikTok into a personal therapy session.

“Some people use therapy… I use TikTok,” he said, noting how the comments section gives him a blend of emotional support, unsolicited advice, and full-on chaos. “It’s easier when you’re talking to strangers and engaging with bots all day long”.

Spencer Pratt today: No regrets, no apologies

When asked if he regrets anything about his reality TV past, Spencer doesn’t flinch: “I should have never filmed with family. Never film with family unless you’re a Kardashian and making a billion dollars”.

But the rest? It was all part of the plan. He’s not just surviving the villain arc—he’s monetizing it. And with Spencer Pratt, that’s exactly the point.