Hills producers were able to successfully milk the very real feud between former BFFs Lauren Conrad and Heidi Montag for record ratings. Now that that feud has run its course what better way to recapture the magic than by manufacturing a new feud between Conrad and replacement BFF Audrina Patridge? The show’s editing would have the viewers believe that there is a growing rift between Patridge and Conrad due to Conrad’s seeming disapproval of Audrina’s hygienically-challenged boyfriend affectionately known as Justin Bobby. Additionally the presence of a third roommate and longtime Conrad friend Lo Bosworth has supposedly reduced Audrina to third-wheel status and left her feeling ostracized on the grounds of Lauren’s $2.5 million dollar LA mansion where the three coexist.
The media has had a field day speculating on the seeming demise of yet another Lauren BFF. Much ado was made about Lauren’s absence from Audrina’s birthday party in Vegas. which was actually a paid appearance for Patridge. What the media and Hills fans didn’t know is that weeks earlier Lauren threw a party in honor of Audrina’s birthday which included the guest of honor, her supposed nemesis Lo, and other mutual friends including the one and only Justin Bobby. From the looks of Audrina’s myspace pics of the event Lauren and Justin got a long swimmingly –pun intended– as did Audrina and Lo.
So why the public separation of Patridge and her roommates? Perhaps MTV producers have encouraged the girls to keep their distance to keep the media abuzz. Audrina is seemingly relishing her role in the feud perhaps enjoying being out of Lauren’s shadow for a change. In addition to apparently leaking her own nude pics on the web to generate attention, Audrina recently switched agencies reportedly because she felt cheated out of the endorsements and opportunities enjoyed by Conrad. Patridge has wasted no time capitalizing on the public sympathy of her supposed mistreatment by her blonde foes, who she still incidentally lives with. A recent New York post article suggest Patridge and her publicist have seized the opportunity to play up public sympathy and elevate Patridge’s profile by planting stories. Patridge also continues to distance herself from the other Hills girls at public appearances such as a recent OC Bowling center opening where she claimed not to be aware the other girls including fan favorite Whitney Port were present.
Will Hills fans fall for it? Only time and ratings will tell when the Hills returns in August for a 4th season on MTV.
By lola
