For over twenty years, you couldn't mention one without the other. It was the ultimate pop culture binary. You were either Team Lauren or Team Kristin. There was no middle ground, no "I like both," and certainly no world where the two of them actually liked each other.
But things change. Honestly, a lot changes when you hit your late thirties and realize that a high school feud over a guy in a silver Hummer isn't exactly the hill you want to die on.
In a move that basically broke the millennial internet, Lauren Conrad and Kristin Cavallari didn't just "bury the hatchet"—they actually became friends. This isn't just PR spin for a new show. It’s a full-circle moment that culminated in the 20th-anniversary Laguna Beach reunion, set to air on the Roku Channel in Spring 2026.
If you grew up watching them, you know how wild this is.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Feud
We all remember the narrative. Lauren was the "girl next door" protagonist, while Kristin was the "bad girl" antagonist. But looking back through a 2026 lens, it’s pretty clear that MTV producers were the real villains.
Kristin has been vocal on her podcast, Let’s Be Honest, about how much of that drama was manufactured. She recently admitted that the "love triangle" with Stephen Colletti was largely stoked by producers who would tell one girl what the other was doing to spark a reaction.
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"The fact that Lauren and I really went after each other is so messed up," Kristin told Stephen during a 2022 rewatch. "The person we should’ve gone after was you."
The truth is, they weren't even enemies before the cameras showed up. They were just two teenage girls in the same social circle. It was the "scripted reality" format that turned a standard high school crush into a decade-long cold war.
The Road to the 2026 Reunion
So, how did we get here? How did the two most famous "frenemies" in TV history end up hugging it out on Instagram?
It started slowly. A few years ago, Kristin and Stephen started their Back to the Beach podcast, which stripped away the glossy MTV edit and revealed the "behind-the-scenes" manipulation. Lauren eventually came on as a guest, and you could feel the ice melting.
The real turning point happened in late 2025 during the filming of the Roku reunion special. Kristin described the experience as "healing" and "therapeutic." She even posted a photo of the two of them—the one that launched a thousand "my childhood is complete" comments—with the caption: "Everyone can put away their team Lauren and team Kristin shirts now."
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Key Moments in the Reconciliation
- The 2022 Podcast Guest Spot: Lauren appeared on Back to the Beach, where the two women apologized for things said when they were seventeen.
- The 2025 Photo: A behind-the-scenes snap from the reunion showed them laughing, looking more like old friends than bitter rivals.
- The "Ceasefire" Announcement: In October 2025, Kristin officially declared on her podcast, "Lauren and I are friends."
Career Paths: Two Empires, One Common Goal
While the world was obsessed with their personal lives, both women were quietly building massive business empires. This is where they actually have the most in common.
Lauren Conrad has basically mastered the art of the "lifestyle brand." Between her massive LC Lauren Conrad line at Kohl’s (which celebrated over 15 years in 2024) and her non-profit The Little Market, she’s worth an estimated $40 million. She’s the queen of the aesthetic, the "soft girl" pioneer before the term even existed.
Kristin, meanwhile, took a different route. She stayed in reality TV longer with Very Cavallari but used it as a launchpad for Uncommon James. She didn't just put her name on a label; she’s the CEO. She’s expanded from jewelry into Uncommon Beauty and even fragrance with her 2024 launch, "Hard Feelings."
It’s kind of ironic. For years, we compared them to see who was "winning." In 2026, it's obvious they both won. They both escaped the reality TV trap and became legitimate entrepreneurs.
Why This Matters Now
You might think, "It’s just a reality show from 2004, who cares?" But the Lauren vs. Kristin dynamic shaped how an entire generation viewed female friendship and competition.
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Seeing them reconcile in their late thirties is a powerful reminder that you don't have to be defined by who you were at eighteen. It’s a rejection of the "mean girl" trope that dominated the early 2000s.
What to Expect from the Roku Reunion
The special is more than just a "where are they now." It’s a 20-year retrospective that includes the original cast: Stephen Colletti, Lo Bosworth, Talan Torriero, and even Trey Phillips.
- Direct Accountability: Expect them to call out the producers for the "slut-shaming" and manipulation that was standard back then.
- The Stephen Dynamic: The three-way conversation between Lauren, Kristin, and Stephen is the centerpiece.
- The "Dunzo" Legacy: They finally address the cultural impact of the show that basically invented the modern influencer.
Actionable Takeaways for the Nostalgic Fan
If you're looking to dive back into the Laguna world before the Spring 2026 premiere, here’s how to do it right:
- Listen to the Archives: Go back to the Back to the Beach podcast episodes where they break down Season 1 and Season 2. It changes how you see the "villain" edits.
- Support the Businesses: If you want a piece of the legacy, Lauren’s Kohl’s line is still the go-to for affordable chic, while Kristin’s Uncommon James "Lover" initial necklace remains a cult favorite.
- Watch the Original (Critically): Re-watching Laguna Beach on Paramount+ or Netflix in 2026 is a trip. Look for the moments where you can see the "frantic" editing trying to create a fight where there wasn't one.
The rivalry is officially dead. In its place is a mutual respect between two women who survived the meat grinder of early 2000s fame and came out the other side as bosses. It took twenty years, but the "Team Lauren" and "Team Kristin" debate has finally been settled: they’re both on the same team now.
Next Steps for You
- Mark your calendars: The Laguna Beach 20th Anniversary Reunion premieres on the Roku Channel in April 2026.
- Check the labels: Look for the new "healing-centric" marketing coming from both Uncommon James and LC Lauren Conrad as they lean into this new era of collaboration.
- Update your playlists: The reunion soundtrack is rumored to feature all those mid-2000s Dashboard Confessional and Hilary Duff tracks that made the original so iconic.