‘Laguna Beach’ Cast Reveals Show’s Most Surprising Off Camera Hookups During Reunion Special

Laguna Beachis going back, back to the beginning — and revealing some behind-the-scenes romances that never made it to air.

During the Friday, April 10, 20th anniversary special, titledThe Reunion: Laguna Beach, the season 1 cast spilled all the tea on the relationships that were — and weren’t — highlighted on the series. The reality show, which ran from 2004 to 2006 on MTV, followed the trials and tribulations of Laguna High School students as they navigated love, friendship and their impending graduation.

But before the secret romances were revealed, hostCasey Wilsonhad a few hot-seat questions for Laguna’s most iconic love triangle:Kristin Cavallari,Stephen CollettiandLauren Conrad.

The love triangle was a major contributing factor to Laguna Beach’s insta-popularity, as the pilot episode picked up right as Stephen was seemingly choosing between Kristin, his on-off girlfriend, and Lauren, his longtime best friend. According to the trio, cameras actually started rolling after the drama was over, but producers “stretched” out the conflict to keep things interesting.

Lauren Conrad and Kristin Cavallari Break Down ‘Laguna Beach’ Reunion, Where They Stand Now

Warning: Spoilers below forThe Reunion: Laguna Beach.

“Stephen and I were together for about a year before cameras ever came. So my sophomore year, his junior year. We then broke up beginning of my junior year, [his] senior year. That’s whenTalan [Torriero]and I had a little something and [he and Lauren] may have had a little something, and then we got back together, and this is all before MTV ever came,” Kristin explained during the special. “And then when they came, they obviously caught wind of that … and MTV knew it was a juicy story line, so they kept it going as much as possible.”

Kristin admitted she felt most “threatened” by producers asking Stephen and Lauren to “hang out” alone, as she was afraid that he might pick Lauren over her. Lauren, meanwhile, said she was mostly broken up about losing a friend in Stephen.

As for when the height of the drama took place, Lauren recalled a disastrous winter formal.

“[Kristin and Stephen] were starting to get back together, and [Stephen and I] were in the back of a big party bus talking. And I was saying, ‘Well, if you guys are getting back together, that’s fine, I don’t need to be a part of this,’” Lauren shared. “And [Kristin] came back and got really upset. It got a little heated.”

Neither Kristin nor Stephen could remember the incident, but according to Lauren, “A shoe got thrown. We had people pulling us [apart].”

Keep scrolling for every surprise hookup and romance revealed duringThe Reunion: Laguna Beach:

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Trey Phillips and Alex Hooser

Alex revealed during the reunion that she and Trey have “shared a smooch.”

Dieter Schmitz and Alex Hooser

While Alex’s love life wasn’t highlighted on Laguna Beach, the former reality star confessed that she dated more than one person from the show. “Dieter and I have … ‘dietered,’” she said with a laugh.

Jessica Smith and Stephen Colletti

Although briefly discussed on Stephen and Kristin’s “Back to the Beach” podcast in 2022, Jessica recalled how she and Stephen “hung out for a summer, a blip,” although she “wouldn’t call it dating.”

Stephen, for his part, called it a “flash in the pan.”

Christina Sinclair and Talan Torriero

Christina caused jaws to drop when she announced that she was Talan’s “first girlfriend.”

Talan confirmed the news, telling the group, “I remember she was the first girl that I kissed in the quad, with people looking and [we] held hands,” revealing it was “sophomore or junior year” when they got together.

“That’s something that people don’t know,” he said, to which Christina replied, “I thought you forgot!”

‘Laguna Beach’ Cast: Where Are They Now?

Kristin Cavallari and Lauren Conrad’s Ex Doug Reinhardt

When Lauren recalled her off camera relationship with Doug Reinhardt in high school, Kristin revealed that she actually dated him too during her freshman year.

“Can’t you let me have one thing?!” Lauren jokingly yelled at Kristin before admitting, “We’ve got great taste.”

Lauren Conrad and Dieter Schmitz

While portrayed as best friends on the show, Dieter noted that he and Lauren were an item — in middle school.

“It was a roller-coaster,” he quipped.

byAlpha World

in

April 10, 2026

‘Laguna Beach’ Cast Reveals Show’s Most Surprising Off Camera Hookups During Reunion Special

Laguna Beachis going back, back to the beginning — and revealing some behind-the-scenes romances that never made it to air. Durin...

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Cardi B’s Ex Wants a DNA Test for Her & Steffon Diggs’ Baby — Report

Cardi B’sdivorce case reportedly took another sharp turn after a new filing detail surfaced. As per a new claim, her ex-rapper,Offset, asked for DNA testing tied to one of her children, adding more strain to an already tense split.

The “WAP” rapper and Offset had already been moving through a long breakup timeline. Now, the reported request pulled NFL starStefon Diggsand the baby into the legal picture, too. Cardi B’s “Little Miss Drama Tour” stayed in headlines after Diggs was reportedly spotted at her Washington, DC stop. It also raised new questions about how far the divorce fight had spread behind closed doors.

Offset wants a DNA test done, claims report

As perTMZ’s reportdated April 9, 2026, the issue appeared in a court order from February 25. TMZ said the order came from Cardi B and Offset’s divorce case. According to the outlet, the judge denied Offset’s request for a DNA test tied to a “newborn.” TMZ then linked that description to the baby, and many reports connected to Stefon Diggs. The same order, the outlet said, granted a paternity request involving another child. The dates of birth were redacted in the filing. Cardi B shares Kulture, 7, Wave, 4, and Blossom, 1, with Offset.

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Meanwhile, that court detail landed against a messy relationship timeline.Cardi Bfiled for divorce in 2024 and sought primary custody of their children. She and Offset had already split once in 2020, then reconciled. Later, they broke up again. TMZ said the former couple shared three children together before the latest legal dispute. Separate reporting also placed Cardi’s child with Stefon Diggs in November 2025. That made the February 25 court order especially notable. By then, the divorce case had already moved beyond routine custody and property issues.

The outlet said Cardi B andOffsetwere barred from making disparaging or defamatory remarks about each other. That suggested the court was trying to cool things down publicly while the case continued privately. At the same time, Cardi B and Stefon Diggs had their own recent timeline, including romance rumors, a public PDA phase, and later breakup speculation. Still, the main legal point stayed narrow. TMZ reported that Offset wanted DNA testing tied to the baby, but the judge denied that request. For now, that left the filing as another flashpoint in a divorce that still looked far from settled.

The postCardi B’s Ex Wants a DNA Test for Her & Steffon Diggs’ Baby — Reportappeared first onReality Tea.

byAlpha World

in

April 10, 2026

Cardi B’s Ex Wants a DNA Test for Her & Steffon Diggs’ Baby — Report

Cardi B’sdivorce case reportedly took another sharp turn after a new filing detail surfaced. As per a new claim, her ex-rapper,Offset, aske...

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'The Pitt' star Patrick Ball cries after paying off debt with TV earnings

Patrick Ballis debt-free, thanks to "The Pitt."

The actor got emotional recalling that he was able to pay off $80,000 in student loan debt from starring as Dr. Frank Langdon in the runaway hitHBO Max series.

In an interview withCultured magazine, published Tuesday, April 7, Ball cried when asked about his loans and the "risk" of going back to school for acting.

"I paid off my student loans like three months into 'The Pitt,' and that was a really profound moment 'cause I thought I was gonna die with it," Ball, 36, said. "It's a huge burden to carry, and a lot of people carry it."

Sepideh Moafi steps into "The Pitt" Season 2 as the new attending physician, Dr. Baran Al-Hashimi. Who else is new for Season 2 of HBO Max's Emmy-winning drama? And why are they at the Pittsburgh ER? Find out on January 8.

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Who's new on 'The Pitt' Season 2? Meet Dr. Baran Al-Hashimi and more

Sepideh Moafi steps into "The Pitt" Season 2 as the new attending physician, Dr. Baran Al-Hashimi. Who else is new for Season 2 of HBO Max's Emmy-winning drama? And why are they at the Pittsburgh ER? Find out on January 8.

He added, "I had just thought that was going to be my life forever, and that is a really heavy thing to live with."

Why 'The Pitt' star Supriya Ganesh,Dr. Samira Mohan, is leaving

His "financial insecurity" played a part in the breakdown of past relationships, he said, adding that regardless of the success of the show, "they can't take that away from me."

The medical drama, of course, turned out to be wildly popular and acultural phenomenon of sorts.

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'The Pitt' is still the absolute bestshow on television – review

The series haswon five Emmys, a Golden Globe for best drama and is acclaimed by critics and viewers, as well as the medical community, for its accuracy. The show was renewed for a third season before Season 2 premiered in January.

Ball told Cultured that before he got the call for "The Pitt," he had been at a low point, with "no money" and recently out of a three-year relationship. He was considering leaving acting entirely, including paths like working at an Alaskan fishing camp, the FBI or the Merchant Marines. After nearly taking a $100,000 fundraising job he felt was "inauthentic to who I am," he chose to do "one last play" in Miami and didn't look back.

There, he met girlfriendElysia Roorbach, took an eight-day trip with her to Iceland and eventually moved back to New York and worked odd jobs, including as an actor for Goldman Sachs – so company administrators could practice firing people – and as a wardrobe assistant in "And Just Like That..."

'The Pitt' superglue staron real eye gluing, boyfriend Patrick Ball

He made his TV debut on "Law & Order" in 2023 before landing "The Pitt" in 2025. "Everything was different" after that, he said.

Ball's interview coincides with his Broadway debut, in Gina Gionfriddo's previously off-Broadway play "Becky Shaw," with his castmates Brandon Mendez Homer, Sepideh Moafi, Isa Briones, Supriya Ganesh, Laetitia Hollard and Lucas Iversonshowing up to support him.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:'The Pitt' star Patrick Ball paid off student loans with TV money

byAlpha World

in

April 09, 2026

'The Pitt' star Patrick Ball cries after paying off debt with TV earnings

Patrick Ballis debt-free, thanks to "The Pitt." The actor got emotional recalling that he was able to pay off $80,000 in...

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The 2026 WNBA Draft board is a puzzle — here’s how it fits together now

With theWomen's Final Fourcomplete, all eyes turn towards the2026 WNBA Draft.

TheWNBA drafttakes place Monday, April 13, in New York, and this year's event has a different feel. Unlike the last two drafts, where Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers were consensus No. 1 overall picks, this year's top spot is up for grabs.

After an exciting March Madness, it's time to see who helped their stock and who fell down the draft board. Is Awa Fam still at the top? Is Azzi Fudd a top-five draft pick? Who vaulted into the first round?

Here's USA TODAY's latest 2026 WNBA mock draft:

1. Dallas Wings: Lauren Betts, C, UCLA

After a stellar NCAA Tournament run, Betts has done enough to earn consideration for the No. 1 overall pick. While the Bruins center will need to work on shooting more baskets in the mid-range and later from deep, she can be inserted into Dallas's lineup when the season starts on May 8. Her length and size make her an immediate threat in the post, along with her passing abilities and rebounding prowess.

2. Minnesota Lynx: Olivia Miles, G, TCU

Minnesota doesn't struggle to move the ball, but adding Miles into the mix gives the Lynx the ability to take their offensive movement up a level. The TCU guard has a high basketball IQ, which should help her with the rookie learning curve on a team with championship aspirations. Head coach Cheryl Reeve can also bring out the best in Miles defensive skills as she adjusts to WNBA play.

3. Seattle Storm: Azzi Fudd, G, UConn

Fudd had a very underwhelming NCAA Tournament aside from her second round game against Syracuse. The slump won't stop her from being drafted. The UConn guard's shot is still the purest in college basketball, and her ability to be an offensive threat at any moment is something you don't see as often at the rookie level. Fudd also rarely wastes a movement or a shot, making her a prime candidate to draft.

4. Washington Mystics: Awa Fam, C, Spain

Fam has an extremely high upside and could start for a team now. However, at 19 years old, she's a raw prospect and might benefit from an environment where she doesn't have immediate pressure to produce. Washington could plug Fam in behind center Shakira Austin, allowing her time to learn, grow and gain confidence. An aggressive Fam would be a dangerous Fam.

5. Chicago Sky: Kiki Rice, G, UCLA

Until veteran Courtney Vandersloot returns, the Sky need a guard who can facilitate, score when needed and defend. Rice, who finished a career year in a UCLA uniform, has proven she can do it all. The senior guard has improved her ability to read opposing defenses, maintain patience with solid footwork and recover in help defense. Rice would also take some pressure off Hailey Van Lith, who struggled during her rookie season.

6. Toronto Tempo: Flau'jae Johnson, G, LSU

Johnson has a score-first mentality, and she does it in a variety of ways: midrange, downhill in the paint and from the 3-point line. She's one of the top defensive guards in the 2026 class, and if she can improve her defensive awareness at the pro level, she can become an elite two-way guard. Head coach Sandy Brondello should also be a tremendous asset to Johnson's growth.

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7. Portland Fire: Ta'Niya Latson, G, South Carolina

Latson's NCAA Tournament run was a mixed bag. That shouldn't hurt her WNBA draft stock, but it wasn't hard to notice as the level of competition rose (with games against TCU, UConn and UCLA), she struggled to find her shot or ways to contribute. At the pro level, she'll be asked to do more, and she'll need to lean into her aggressiveness to have success.

Michigan State's Rashunda Jones (1) walks off the court following a second-round game in the NCAA women's basketball tournament between the Oklahoma Sooners and Michigan State Spartans at Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla., Sunday March 22, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Kamy Peppler #1 of the Green Bay Phoenix reacts against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the third quarter during the First Round of the Women's NCAA Tournament at Williams Arena on March 20, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Phoenix 75-58.

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March Sadness hits hard in the Women's NCAA basketball tournament

Michigan State's Rashunda Jones (1) walks off the court following a second-round game in theNCAA women's basketballtournament between the Oklahoma Sooners and Michigan State Spartans at Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla., Sunday March 22, 2026.

8. Golden State Valkyries: Gabriela Jaquez, G, UCLA

If a team gives her any space, Jaquez will make them pay. The guard can do it all, with assists, 3-pointers, in the paint, on the boards or by creating a steal. She should fit well within Golden State's "hard hat and lunch pail" culture, where they pride themselves on having energy on both sides of the ball.

9. Washington Mystics: Raven Johnson, G South Carolina

While Johnson has proven she can score when needed, it's her facilitation skills and defense that will make her a top 10 pick. The South Carolina guard does a great job of feeding her bigs and spreading the offense out to find the best shot. She is also a lockdown defender who leaves little room for error and isn't afraid of anyone on a court, regardless of size.

10. Indiana Fever: Gianna Kneepkens, G, UCLA

Kneepkens ended her college career shooting nearly 50-40-90, which is impressive and rare in today's college landscape. The UCLA guard's game isn't flashy, but it's often timely. Kneepkens knows how to step into the big moments, as she did in the national championship when she delivered two massive 3-point baskets during an extended Bruins' run.

11. Washington Mystics: Nell Angloma, F, France

Angloma is another international player who, despite a fierce first step when getting downhill, would need time to develop. The Mystics could look at perhaps a draft and stash situation to help Angloma improve her shot release and eventually be ready to slide into a wing role.

12. Connecticut Sun: Iyana Martín Carrión, G, Spain

Carrión is another young international prospect that teams might consider drafting and stashing for later. The 5-foot-9 Spanish guard might need a bit more size to play in the W, but she makes up for her slight build with her ability to create. Carrion can pass, shoot and score well, and she doesn't let her size stop her from defending well.

13. Atlanta Dream: Madina Okot, C, South Carolina

Atlanta needs depth. Adding Okot would help the Dream with their post presence and perimeter shooting. The South Carolina big can score from multiple levels and will crash the glass. If Atlanta brings veteran center Brittney Griner back, Okot would learn from one of the best in league history at the position.

14. Seattle Storm: Marta Suarez, F, TCU

Suarez's NCAA Tournament run wasn't great, but she did have a breakout game against Virginia during the Sweet 16, which included a career high 33 points plus 10 rebounds. The outing was a glimpse of Suarez at her best, which could entice Seattle to add Suarez as depth now and starter later.

15. Connecticut Sun: Cotie McMahon, F, Ole Miss

McMahon would work well in a young core of players like Saniya Rivers, Leila Lacan, Aaliyah Edwards and Aneesah Morrow. The Ole Miss forward is a utility piece that the Sun could utilize to its advantage. She does most of her damage in the paint ― Connecticut's specialty ― and could also help facilitate, if needed. Once McMahon gets crisper as a defender, she'll be dynamite at the next level.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:WNBA draft drama: Who deserves to be chosen No. 1 in 2026

byAlpha World

in

April 09, 2026

The 2026 WNBA Draft board is a puzzle — here’s how it fits together now

With theWomen's Final Fourcomplete, all eyes turn towards the2026 WNBA Draft. TheWNBA drafttakes place Monday, April 13, in Ne...

Read More