Spencer Pratt Takes Us Around the City He Thinks He Can Save

Spencer Pratt is either the most interesting story in Los Angeles politics or a cautionary tale about the age we live in—possibly both. The former Hills villain turned crystal enthusiast turned mayoral candidate has been called a joke, a Trump-adjacent opportunist, and a man who claimed to be living in an Airstream trailer on his burned Palisades lot while actually staying at Hotel Bel-Air. He is also, undeniably, making a real run to lead America’s second-largest city and striking a nerve with voters who are tired of the status quo. Love him or hate him, Spencer Pratt is having a moment. We asked him to take us around the city he wants to run and share the places that made him fall in love with it.

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USC

“This was 10 years of my life—and no, I’m not a doctor—but trying to get my education while also doing TV shows was a process. My dad went to college here. He worked really hard as a dentist to afford to send me here. I wanted to finally graduate and get my degree, even though most people who leave college never come back. I kept coming back until I finished.”

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DOWNTOWN

“This was when I finally got to experience L.A. for real. I lived right up here at the top loft, connecting with Ryan Gosling. He probably denies that to this day, but we were best friends when Murder by Numbers came out. Across the street was Pete’s Bar. I think Kiefer Sutherland’s girlfriend lived in my building, so when 24was a hit show and I was 20 years old, I’d be drinking with Kiefer Sutherland. It felt like anything was possible.”

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PACIFIC PALISADES

“My parents still call this their home. My whole life was here, so all my memories are here, but I don’t have a single photo of my life before the iPhone 4. I don’t have any mementos, yearbooks, photo albums, or home videos. All my memories are just in my brain now. I had the best life. I loved everything about this place, this neighborhood. It was a real community, like something out of Pleasantville. You knew your neighbors. You could ride your bike into town, go to Mort’s Deli, and get chicken noodle soup and a French dip. You played all your sports with everybody here. It was the best. It’s over now.”

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DODGER STADIUM

“When I was a kid, getting Dodgers tickets was a big deal. My dad was a dentist, and if one of his patients gave him tickets, that was the flex growing up. And then later, when my wife and I were blessed to be famous for a minute—going there, being recognized, getting photo-graphed, and ending up in Us Weekly—that was the big deal in tabloids: who was at the big game.”

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DON ANTONIO’S

“Don Antonio’s is the spirit of Los Angeles. Growing up, all the UCLA students partied here, but high school kids also came here to get food. I’ve known Rosalio since I was 17. He’s probably worked here for 32 years, so there are OG L.A. legends in this place. I had all my birthday parties here. I had my first televised date with my wife here. I had my campaign kickoff party here. I had my post-debate celebration here, when I won 87 percent according to the NBC poll. Everyone orders the steak tacos, but the fajitas are really amazing.”

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Production Direction: Alexandra Weiss.

Photography Production: Georgia Ford.

Production Interns: Ha Chu and Isaac James.

Social Media Assistant: Ashley Hood.