Lauren Conrad was born in Laguna Beach, California in 1986. She is an American television personality, actress, author and fashion designer. She is best known for being featured in the MTV reality series Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County and for her spin-off show, The Hills. Ms. Conrad attended the Academy of Art University in San Francisco for one semester, then transfered to the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. In 2007 she won the Teen Choice Award for Favorite Female in a TV Reality Show. In June of 2009 her novel, L. A. Candy was published.