In a dramatic twist that has captivated the Los Angeles political scene, Stephanie Pratt, once one of the most vocal critics of her brother Spencer Pratt’s campaign for mayor, has publicly reversed her position just days before the city’s pivotal primary election. On May 27, 2026, Stephanie admitted in an emailed statement to Vanity Fair, “I admit I was the first person to tell people that they were idiots if they voted for my brother. Wow, was I wrong.” This marked a striking departure from her earlier, blistering critiques, which had dominated headlines and fueled family drama on social media.
Stephanie’s about-face comes at a critical juncture in Spencer Pratt’s bid for the city’s top job. The campaign, which began as something of a celebrity long shot, has rapidly gained momentum in recent weeks. Polling numbers and fundraising totals have surged, according to recent disclosures, and Pratt’s campaign events are now drawing energized crowds across Los Angeles. Many supporters, frustrated by persistent issues such as homelessness and public safety, see Pratt as a breath of fresh air in a city yearning for change.
But rewind just a few months, and Stephanie’s tone was anything but supportive. In a series of since-deleted tweets and social media posts from February, she lambasted her brother’s qualifications, writing, “Spencer has done great work for the Palisades. But LA does not need another unqualified and inexperienced mayor.” She accused him of trying to “stay famous and sell his memoir” and even called a vote for him “a vote for stupidity.” Stephanie didn’t stop there, referencing past allegations about Spencer’s involvement with a cult and expressing deep worries about the city’s future. “At least hire someone with work experience who wasn’t in a cult,” she wrote. “I’m worried about LA. I have no problem with Spencer playing government but our city needs help.”
Her criticisms were not without consequences. In the days following her public tirades, Stephanie deleted her Instagram account, made her X (formerly Twitter) account private, and wiped recent posts, signaling a desire to step back from the escalating feud. The move surprised many observers, given the years of public sparring between Stephanie, Spencer, and his wife, Heidi Montag—a feud that had played out in interviews and across social media platforms for years.
What prompted Stephanie’s reversal? In her statement to Vanity Fair, she credited her brother’s relentless efforts since the devastating wildfires that swept through the Pacific Palisades and Altadena. “He has spent every day since the fires, finding the facts, the mistakes, the negligence and uncovering the truth that they never wanted us to know,” she wrote. The wildfires, which killed 12 people and destroyed scores of homes—including Spencer and Heidi’s own—became a defining moment for the family and, ultimately, the foundation of Spencer’s campaign.
Spencer Pratt announced his mayoral candidacy on January 7, 2026, marking the first anniversary of those deadly fires. At a public demonstration, he declared, “The system in Los Angeles isn’t struggling, it’s fundamentally broken. It is a machine designed to protect the people at the top and the friends they exchange favors with, while the rest of us drown in toxic smoke and ash. That’s why I am running for mayor.” The message resonated with some Angelenos, especially those disillusioned with the city’s entrenched political establishment.
Yet, not everyone has been convinced. According to Page Six, celebrities have been divided in their reactions to Pratt’s campaign. While some have thrown their support behind him, others have been sharply critical. For instance, “Price is Right” host Drew Carey wrote on Threads earlier this month, “Anyone who votes for, or endorses Spencer Pratt for Mayor of LA needs to get their head out of their ass. I understand being angry/unsatisfied, but at least get behind someone competent and not some serial scammer without a soul or moral compass.” The polarized responses have only fueled the campaign’s media coverage, turning the race into a spectacle that’s part political contest, part reality show.
And speaking of reality TV, Spencer Pratt’s complicated relationship with fame has been a recurring theme throughout his campaign. Best known for his role on MTV’s The Hills (2006-2010), Pratt has spent years in the public eye, often blurring the lines between entertainment and real life. In 2025, he and Heidi Montag lost their home during the Palisades fire, a traumatic event that led them to embrace new opportunities wherever they could find them. Pratt appeared in the Hulu series Got to Get Out, which chronicled his family’s recovery from the disaster. “We’re at a place now, with having no house, whatever opportunities—like it’s yes, yes, yes,” Pratt told Entertainment Tonight last year, likening their hustle to the early days of the Kardashian family’s rise to fame.
As his mayoral bid gained traction, Pratt sought to distance himself from his reality TV roots. “The reality, pun intended, is that was from 20 years ago,” he told Fox 11 in March. But rumors have persisted that he might turn his campaign—or even his time in office—into a new television series. TMZ reported in May that cameras could keep rolling if Pratt wins, though his publicist was quick to issue a strong denial: “Absolutely false and you can confirm that on the record.” Still, as The Hollywood Reporter noted, statements from Pratt’s camp have left some ambiguity, with one spokesperson saying, “This is a non-starter as there is no signed contract. Nothing has been pitched, nothing has been filmed, there is no contract or deal of any sort in existence. Cameras have not been rolling and there are no plans at all for cameras to film.”
Should Pratt win, he’ll face strict limitations under the L.A. City Charter, which prohibits officeholders from receiving compensation for outside activities. As Jeffery Daar, former president of the L.A. Ethics Commission, explained, “You’re not supposed to have a second job. People are electing you to a full-time job.” While this would bar Pratt from leveraging his position for personal gain through media projects, his wife Heidi Montag would remain free to pursue sponsorships and endorsements, a lucrative avenue the couple has explored in the past. In 2025 alone, their company Pratt Productions collected at least $10,000 each from 42 clients, including major brands like Snap, TikTok, Amazon, and Airbnb.
The Pratt family’s journey—from reality TV stardom to the campaign trail—has been anything but ordinary. Their story has been chronicled in interviews with outlets like Page Six and news.com.au, covering everything from wildfires to Hollywood life. Now, with the June 2 mayoral election looming, Spencer Pratt finds himself at the center of a race that has upended expectations and forced even his harshest critics—his own sister included—to reconsider their views.
As Los Angeles voters prepare to cast their ballots, the Pratt saga stands as a testament to the city’s enduring appetite for reinvention, drama, and, perhaps, a little redemption.