In a dramatic and unexpected career pivot, reality television personality Spencer Pratt has officially declared his candidacy for Mayor of Los Angeles. The 42-year-old star of The Hills and Celebrity Big Brother made the announcement at a poignant demonstration organised by residents who lost their homes in last year's catastrophic wildfires.
From Reality TV to Political Reality
Pratt's political awakening stems directly from personal tragedy. His announcement on January 8, 2026, coincided with the one-year anniversary of the Palisades Fire, which completely destroyed the home he shared with his wife, singer Heidi Montag. The couple were among the first to share harrowing footage of the aftermath, with Pratt recounting watching their house burn down via security cameras.
Another major wildfire erupted on the same day across the city, forcing thousands to evacuate. In total, the twin disasters claimed 31 lives and reduced numerous historic buildings to ashes. Celebrities including Paris Hilton, Billy Crystal, and Sir Anthony Hopkins also saw their properties devastated.
A Campaign Born from Crisis
Speaking at the 'They Let Us Burn' rally, Pratt framed his candidacy as a necessary response to systemic failure. "Business as usual is a death sentence for Los Angeles," he declared. "And I'm done waiting for someone to take real action. That's why I am running for mayor."
He later shared a picture on social media of himself signing the official documents to enter the race, confirming his campaign is now open. In a fiery Instagram post featuring a video from the rally, Pratt stated he had waited a year for a strong challenger to emerge against incumbent Mayor Karen Bass. "I saw no fighters," he wrote. "Guess I'm gonna have to do this myself. Let's make LA camera-ready again!"
A Mission to 'Disinfect' City Politics
Pratt positioned his run as more than a standard political campaign. "This is a mission, and we are going to expose the system," he vowed. "We are going into every dark corner of LA politics and disinfecting the city with our light."
The couple received significant support from fans following the fire. In a bid to raise funds, Pratt urged the public to stream Heidi Montag's music. The response was overwhelming; her 2010 album Superficial, which was critically panned upon its original release, shot straight to number one on the iTunes chart.
Celebrity Support and Political Aspirations
Early backing for Pratt's mayoral bid has come from within his celebrity circle. Blogger Perez Hilton enthusiastically declared him "my mayor," while actress and singer Linda Thompson, mother to Brody and Brandon Jenner, expressed her love and support.
Yellowstone actress Wendy Moniz praised his emotional rally speech, noting it was "powerful, inspiring & hopeful to witness." She highlighted that his passion was "born out of being so personally affected" combined with a forceful delivery of facts.
Whether Spencer Pratt can translate his reality TV fame and personal grievance into a viable political challenge remains to be seen. However, his entry into the race underscores the deep frustrations felt by many Angelenos following the devastating wildfires and sets the stage for a highly unconventional campaign.
