‘Hills’-spinoff ‘The City’ follows Port
While Lauren Conrad has opened the door to her life on MTV’s “The Hills,” Whitney Port has dug a moat and pulled up the bridge.
Fans haven’t seen much of Port, who says she’s guarded by design. That’s all about to change with “The City,” her new spinoff series from the popular reality show, which premieres tonight at 10 on MTV (cable channel 63 in Spokane, 43 in Coeur d’Alene).
Cameras follow Port as she moves from Los Angeles to New York to work for fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg.
Q: Why didn’t you allow viewers to see much of your life on “The Hills”?
A: At the beginning, it was a conscious effort of mine. I was kind of uncomfortable. I just wanted to focus on my career. But on “The City,” you’re going to get a glimpse into my personal life. There will be a lot of fun behind closed doors.
Q: Was it hard to decide to do your own show?
A: It was a very hard decision. I let it marinate for a couple months, and everyone allowed me to do that and in the end, the pros definitely outweighed the cons so I think it was a good decision.
Q: Are you surprised by the popularity of “The Hills”?
A: It’s so surprising to me. Obviously, when I went into it I had no idea. I think it’s basically a guilty pleasure for everyone.
Q: What do you say to critics of the show?
A: I think that’s only normal with anything that’s a success. When it comes to the nitpicking, to each his own. Sometimes it can be flattering that people are taking so much time to do that.
Q: What does your family think of your fame?
A: My two younger sisters are in college so they’re in the midst of the fans so it can get strange for them but everyone’s handling it fine. We try to not make all the focus and attention on me.
Q: You don’t seem to be a dramatic person. Will there be drama on “The City”?
A: There is some drama because what would reality TV be without drama? Hopefully, I’m not the one producing it. I’m not the kind of person who goes out looking for it or causing it, but there are people that come into your life that inevitably cause it. I’m just there to handle it and take it all day by day.
Q: Do you like living in New York?
A: I love everything about it right now. Except for the cab situation.
Q: Can we expect to see Lauren Conrad on “The City”?
A: I would love it. I would love to have her on. I don’t know that they’ve planned for that yet.