Los Angeles, California — Spencer Pratt, widely known for his role in the reality television series “The Hills,” is officially entering the political sphere. He announced his candidacy for mayor of Los Angeles during a rally organized by the Palisades Fire Residents Coalition, held on the anniversary of a catastrophic wildfire that ravaged his neighborhood and destroyed his family home.

Pratt’s campaign launch comes in the wake of the devastating Palisades Fire, which ignited on January 7, 2025. This tragedy killed 12 people, consumed more than 23,700 acres, and obliterated over 6,800 structures, positioning it among California’s most destructive wildfires. At the rally titled “They Let Us Burn,” Pratt expressed his frustration, declaring, “Business as usual is a death sentence for Los Angeles,” and emphasized his urgency for change within city leadership.

In his address, Pratt committed to shining a light on what he perceives as systemic failures in government, asserting that his run is more than just a campaign but a mission to enact real change. Over the past year, he has been vocal in his criticism of city and state officials, targeting California Governor Gavin Newsom and current Mayor Karen Bass, whom he accuses of negligence despite explicit warnings about impending weather dangers.

Rising to fame in the mid-2000s, Pratt was dubbed one of television’s most controversial personalities on “The Hills,” where his relationship with castmate Heidi Montag captured headlines. The couple, married since 2008 and parents to two children, later made appearances on programs such as “I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here” and “Celebrity Big Brother UK.”

Pratt’s recent memoir, “The Guy You Loved to Hate,” seeks to recontextualize his public persona, depicting his journey through fame, personal challenges, and his reemergence as a more complex figure in the wake of the wildfire, which saw social media users rallying in support of his family during their time of loss.

The race for mayor is heating up, with incumbent Karen Bass seeking reelection and former Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Austin Beutner also in the running. More than a dozen candidates are expected to join the race ahead of the primary election scheduled for June 2. Candidate filing opens February 2 and closes on February 7, as Los Angeles gears up for a competitive political landscape.

Pratt’s leap into politics remains to be seen as a move that could reshape the narrative around celebrity involvement in governance, as he aims to blend his star power with a genuine intent to advocate for change in his community.