It has been over two decades since we first heard Hilary Duff’s "Coming Clean" over shots of the Pacific Coast Highway. Back then, the biggest problem in the world was whether Stephen was going to pick LC or Kristin. We were all obsessed. We wore the chokers, we bought the Hollister polos, and we took sides in a feud that, as it turns out, was mostly cooked up by MTV producers in a windowless edit suite.
But things have changed. It is 2026, and the "real" Orange County isn't just a nostalgic memory anymore. The big news? The laguna beach show where are they now question finally has a definitive answer because the original crew just finished filming a massive 20th-anniversary reunion special for Roku.
Honestly, seeing Lauren Conrad and Kristin Cavallari in the same frame without a "Team Lauren" shirt in sight feels like a glitch in the Hollywood matrix. But here we are.
The Peace Treaty: Lauren and Kristin in 2026
If you had told a teenager in 2004 that Lauren and Kristin would eventually be executive producing a show together, they would have laughed you out of the room. Their rivalry was the sun that the entire Laguna solar system orbited around.
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Lauren Conrad, now 40, has spent the last decade being the queen of "quiet success." She famously walked away from reality TV to build a literal empire at Kohl's, launch her fair-trade shop The Little Market, and raise her two sons with husband William Tell. For years, she was the "no" girl. She didn't want the drama. She didn't want the cameras.
But 2026 hit differently.
Kristin recently revealed on her podcast, Let’s Be Honest, that filming the reunion was actually "healing." Apparently, the two former arch-nemeses shared a private moment during production that buried the hatchet for good. Kristin, who has been much more public with her life through Uncommon James and her various dating sagas (remember the Montana Boyz era?), seems to have found a middle ground with Lauren. They aren't just "cordial" anymore; they're actually friends.
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Stephen Colletti: From Heartthrob to Creator
What about the guy in the middle of it all? Stephen Colletti didn't just fade into the background. While he’ll always be "Stephen" to us, he’s spent the last few years proving he has serious staying power in the industry.
He’s currently engaged to NASCAR reporter Alex Weaver, but professionally, he’s been deep in the world of independent filmmaking. He and One Tree Hill alum James Lafferty have been shopping the second season of their critically acclaimed show Everyone Is Doing Great.
Stephen is also a co-executive producer on the 2026 reunion. It’s wild to think that the boy who was once getting his truck washed for prom is now the one calling the shots behind the camera. He’s also been keeping the nostalgia alive with the Back to the Beach podcast, though the reunion special is the first time we’ve seen him back on screen with the whole Laguna gang at once.
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The Rest of the Class: Where They Landed
Not everyone stayed in the spotlight. Some of the most interesting updates from the laguna beach show where are they now search come from the people who chose a "normal" life.
- Lo Bosworth: She’s arguably the most successful "pivot" of the group. Lo is the founder and CEO of Love Wellness, a massive women’s health company. She lives in New York and has been very vocal about how reality TV wasn't exactly great for her mental health back in the day, but she still showed up for the Roku special.
- Talan Torriero: The resident "playboy" of season one is now a digital marketing expert living on a farm in Nebraska. Yes, you read 그게 right. Nebraska. He has three kids and is constantly posting hilarious TikToks about his life as a suburban dad.
- Trey Phillips: The artsy kid who wanted to go to New York actually did it. Trey is a successful designer at Vera Wang. He’s stayed remarkably low-key and away from the tabloid drama, focusing almost entirely on his career in high fashion.
- Morgan Olsen (now Smith): Morgan followed through on her BYU dreams, got married, and has three kids. She’s heavily involved in the world of digital creators and fashion, often sharing her life in South Carolina.
- Dieter Schmitz: One of Stephen’s best friends, Dieter moved to the East Coast and works in high-end hospitality management. He’s still incredibly close with Stephen and Lauren—Lauren even attended his wedding a few years back.
Why We Still Care Two Decades Later
It’s easy to dismiss Laguna Beach as just another reality show, but it was the first of its kind. It was shot like a movie. It had a soundtrack that defined an era. When we look at where they are now, we’re kind of looking at our own growth, too.
The 2026 reunion isn't going to be about who’s dating who. These people are in their late 30s and early 40s. They have businesses, mortgages, and kids who are probably starting to ask why their parents were on MTV. The upcoming Roku special is focusing more on the "behind the scenes" of how the show was made and the ways it actually messed with their real-life friendships.
What to Watch Next
If you’re looking to catch up before the big 2026 special drops, here is how you should spend your time:
- Listen to the Podcast: Start with Back to the Beach with Kristin and Stephen. They go through the episodes and explain what was real and what was "Franken-bited" (when producers chop up audio to make it sound like someone said something they didn't).
- Follow the Brands: Check out Uncommon James (Kristin) and Love Wellness (Lo) to see how these women turned 15 minutes of fame into long-term careers.
- The Little Market: Browse Lauren’s shop. It’s a great example of how she used her platform for something more substantial than just another reality spin-off.
- Watch the Traitors: Stephen Colletti recently appeared on The Traitors (Season 4), and it’s a great look at how he handles high-pressure TV these days.
The 2026 reunion is slated to be a two-hour event. It’s the final word on a chapter of pop culture that never quite seemed to close. For the first time in 20 years, the "Team Lauren" and "Team Kristin" debate is officially over, and everyone—fans and cast included—seems much better for it.