The Ultimate 'Laguna Beach' Cast Then And Now: 8 Stars Who Became Millionaires, CEOs, And Hotel GMs

The sun-drenched drama of Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County premiered over two decades ago, but the lives of its original cast members continue to fascinate fans in 2025. The high school sweethearts, rivals, and friends who pioneered the reality TV genre have since traded in their beachside high school drama for multi-million dollar business empires, high-profile corporate careers, and roles as dedicated parents and advocates.

The journey from MTV star to successful entrepreneur is a rare one, yet the *Laguna Beach* crew has largely managed to pivot their fame into fortune and real-world success. From fashion designers and wellness CEOs to podcast hosts and luxury hotel managers, here is the definitive, up-to-the-minute look at where the core cast is now.

The Core Cast: Then and Now Biography & Current Ventures (2025)

The original cast members of *Laguna Beach* have built impressive, diverse careers that extend far beyond their reality TV roots. Here is a complete breakdown of their current, most notable ventures and personal life updates as of late 2024 and 2025.

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• Lauren Conrad (LC): The show's original narrator and "nice girl" is now a highly successful entrepreneur. She is the co-founder of The Little Market, a non-profit fair trade shop that supports female artisans globally. She continues to run her eponymous fashion lines and is a *New York Times* best-selling author. LC is married to William Tell, and they share two children.
• Kristin Cavallari (KC): Known as the show's unapologetic firecracker, Cavallari is a major businesswoman with an estimated net worth of $30 million as of 2025. She is the founder and CEO of her lifestyle brand, Uncommon James, which includes jewelry, home goods, and beauty products. She also hosts the popular Dear Media podcast, *Back to the Beach with Kristin and Stephen*, and has stated she is done with reality television following the end of her show *Very Cavallari*. She finalized her divorce from former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler in 2022.
• Stephen Colletti (SC): The central figure in the LC vs. KC love triangle, Colletti successfully transitioned into acting, most notably playing Chase Adams on The CW's hit drama *One Tree Hill*. In 2022, he reunited with Kristin Cavallari to co-host the rewatch podcast *Back to the Beach with Kristin and Stephen*. In November 2023, he announced his engagement to journalist Alex Weaver.
• Lo Bosworth (LB): Lauren Conrad's close friend and later a cast member on *The Hills*, Bosworth has become a leading figure in the women's wellness space. She is the founder and CEO of Love Wellness, a highly successful company offering doctor-developed, science-backed personal care and supplement products focused on women's health. She is also a mental health advocate and author.
• Jason Wahler (JW): Introduced in Season 2 as Lauren Conrad's love interest, Wahler's post-show journey was marked by public struggles with addiction, which he documented on *Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew* and *The Hills: New Beginnings*. Today, he is a dedicated advocate for addiction education and prevention, using his platform to help others in recovery. He is married and a father.
• Dieter Schmitz (DS): Known for being the reliable, down-to-earth friend, Schmitz has found major success in the hospitality industry. He is currently the General Manager of the luxury Sofitel New York. He is married to his wife, Isabell, and they have two children.
• Talan Torriero (TT): The Season 1 ladies' man is now an entrepreneur and works in digital marketing. He is the creator of CyberInterns, a platform connecting businesses with interns. He is married to Danielle Torriero, and they have two children.
• Morgan Smith (née Olsen): Morgan was known for her strong Mormon faith and focus on her future. She graduated from Brigham Young University (BYU) and married Joel Smith. She is a dedicated mother to three children and focuses on her family life.

From Reality TV to Retail Moguls: The LC and KC Business Empire

The most enduring rivalry from *Laguna Beach*—the love triangle between Lauren, Kristin, and Stephen—has evolved into a powerful, parallel narrative of entrepreneurial success. Both Lauren Conrad and Kristin Cavallari have leveraged their reality TV platforms to build significant, multi-faceted lifestyle brands, becoming two of the most successful alumni in reality television history.

Lauren Conrad’s pivot was immediate, using the launch of *The Hills* to showcase her fashion aspirations. Her career is now deeply rooted in ethical consumerism through The Little Market, an organization that has generated significant revenue for women's co-operatives and social enterprises worldwide. Her brand is synonymous with classic, feminine style and philanthropy.

Kristin Cavallari, on the other hand, built her empire, Uncommon James, with a more modern, edgy aesthetic. The brand has grown exponentially since its 2017 launch, expanding from jewelry to a full range of beauty and home goods. Cavallari’s candid, no-nonsense persona, which viewers loved on *Laguna Beach*, has translated into a successful business philosophy, making her a formidable figure in the retail space.

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Their continued presence in the public eye, whether through LC's carefully curated brand or KC's candid podcast and business transparency, proves that the original reality stars knew how to turn a high school moment into a long-term career. The focus has shifted from boys and beaches to boardrooms and balance sheets.

The Unexpected Career Paths: Hotel GMs, Wellness CEOs, and Addiction Advocates

While the spotlight often shines brightest on LC and KC, the most surprising and inspiring updates come from the quieter members of the *Laguna Beach* ensemble. These individuals opted for careers far removed from the entertainment industry, demonstrating a genuine desire for privacy and professional stability.

Dieter Schmitz’s trajectory is a prime example of this pivot. His role as the General Manager of the Sofitel New York is a highly demanding, high-profile corporate position in the competitive world of luxury hospitality. This career path is a stark contrast to the casual, beach-centric lifestyle portrayed on MTV, highlighting a commitment to a traditional, yet incredibly successful, corporate career.

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Similarly, Lo Bosworth transformed her experience with her own health struggles into the multi-million-dollar wellness brand, Love Wellness. Her company addresses sensitive and often overlooked topics in women's health, making her a CEO with a mission-driven focus. Lo’s dedication to mental health advocacy further solidifies her role as a serious entrepreneur, not just a former reality star.

Perhaps the most impactful transformation belongs to Jason Wahler. After struggling publicly with substance abuse, he has dedicated his life to recovery advocacy. His work involves raising awareness about addiction and mental health, often sharing his personal story to help others. His journey is a powerful reminder that life after reality television can be about profound personal growth and service.

The Reunion That Took Over the Airwaves: Back to the Beach

The most recent and significant update for fans is the enduring partnership between former on-screen rivals Kristin Cavallari and Stephen Colletti. The pair launched their highly successful rewatch podcast, *Back to the Beach with Kristin and Stephen*, in 2022.

The podcast, produced by Dear Media, has given the former high school sweethearts a new platform to "come clean" about the highly scripted nature of *Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County*. They rewatch episodes for the first time in nearly two decades, offering behind-the-scenes commentary on the famous love triangle, the producers' manipulation, and their true feelings at the time.

This venture has not only delighted fans with nostalgia but has also provided a fresh, authentic perspective on the early days of reality TV. It is a testament to the enduring chemistry and friendship between Cavallari and Colletti, proving that the drama of 2004 has officially been replaced by a mature, successful business partnership in 2025.

Topical Entities and LSI Keywords for Deeper Context

To fully understand the *Laguna Beach* phenomenon, it is essential to recognize the key entities and related concepts that shaped the cast's careers:

• Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County (The original show)
• The Hills (The spin-off that launched LC's career)
• Very Cavallari (Kristin's E! reality show)
• Uncommon James (Kristin Cavallari's lifestyle brand)
• The Little Market (Lauren Conrad's non-profit fair trade company)
• Love Wellness (Lo Bosworth's women's health company)
• Back to the Beach with Kristin and Stephen (The popular rewatch podcast)
• Dear Media (The podcast network)
• One Tree Hill (Stephen Colletti's acting role)
• Sofitel New York (Dieter Schmitz's luxury hotel role)
• Addiction Education and Prevention (Jason Wahler's advocacy focus)
• Brigham Young University (BYU) (Morgan Smith's alma mater)
• Reality TV Pioneers (The cast's legacy)