Reality TV personality Spencer Pratt makes a shocking confession in his newly released memoir, “The Guy You Loved to Hate: Confessions From a Reality TV Villain,” shedding light on a controversial moment from his adolescence—long before The Hills made him a household name.
Growing up in Santa Monica, California, Pratt ran in the same social circles as several celebrity children, including Mary-Kate Olsen. At the time, Olsen was dating Max Winkler, the son of actor Henry Winkler. Pratt, who dreamed of becoming a filmmaker but lacked the necessary funds and connections, says he found another way to make a name for himself.
According to the memoir, Pratt noticed that Winkler had covered his bedroom walls with photos of Olsen after their breakup. He claims he asked his friend if he could take the photos down, framing it as a step toward emotional “healing.” When Winkler didn’t object, Pratt took the photos and later sold them to a photo agency.
The photos of Olsen partying as a teenager eventually surfaced in tabloid magazines in 2004. Pratt says he made about $50,000 from the initial sale, although he later suggests the total earnings may have reached closer to $90,000. The sudden influx of cash made him feel wealthy at the time and justified his actions.
One photo even landed on the cover of In Touch magazine, directly linking Pratt to the tabloid story. He recalls being shocked to see his own face alongside headlines about Olsen’s alleged “wild” phase in grocery store checkout lines across the country.
Despite the controversy, Pratt doesn’t express deep remorse in his book. Instead, he framed the event as beneficial for both parties, saying that it helped Olsen’s image and freed Winkler from the relationship.
The memoir, released on January 27, offers a candid portrayal of Pratt’s life before fame and the calculated decisions that helped him become one of reality television’s most controversial figures. ‘The Guy You Loved to Hate: Confessions from a Reality TV Villain’ is available now.