Former “The Hills” star Spencer Pratt has taken an unexpected turn from reality TV drama to Los Angeles politics, and his campaign is getting serious attention. With a viral advertisement and nearly $540,000 raised since January, Pratt’s long-shot mayoral run has become the talk of the city.
While multiple outlets report different numbers, Pratt’s personal net worth is most consistently listed at around $300,000. Other sources estimate a combined fortune with his wife Heidi Montag closer to $1 million. This is a big drop from their peak, when the couple was reportedly worth around $10 million during their heyday on MTV.
The Viral Ad That Changed Everything
Pratt dropped a 30-second campaign ad on X (formerly Twitter) that quickly exploded across the internet, gathering over 8.6 million views. The ad does not use fancy sets or soft music. Instead, Pratt stands outside the large homes of current Mayor Karen Bass and council member Nithya Raman before walking to his own temporary home—a mobile trailer.
“They don’t have to live in the mess they’ve created—where you live,” Pratt says in the clip.
When he reaches his trailer, he adds: “This is where I live. They let my home burn down. I know what the consequences of failed leadership are.”
The powerful visuals connect directly to the Palisades wildfire that destroyed both his house and his parents’ home last year. Pratt announced his campaign on the anniversary of the fire, making it the central focus of his run for office.
Spencer Pratt’s Money and Fundraising
Even with a lower net worth compared to other celebrities, Pratt has proven he can raise money for a serious political race. His campaign has brought in nearly $540,000 so far, which actually beats Mayor Karen Bass’s fundraising during the same period.
A major moment came when Jeanie Buss, the owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, gave the maximum legal donation of $1,800 to Pratt’s campaign. This signals that wealthy and powerful figures in LA are starting to pay attention.
Pratt told Variety last year that social media keeps him financially afloat. He stated he makes about $4,000 a week from TikTok and roughly $20,000 from TikTok LIVE, where fans send him money directly. He also has over 1.3 million followers on Instagram and nearly a million on X.
Big Names Backing Spencer Pratt’s Campaign
Pratt has picked up support from several high-profile conservative and media figures. Joe Rogan, Adam Carolla, and former Trump special envoy Richard Grenell have all endorsed him. Conservative commentator Meghan McCain posted on social media: “I’m telling you this guy is going to win.”
However, Pratt insists he is not running as a party politician. He registered as a Republican in 2020 but told voters: “This is a nonpartisan race—there will be no D or R next to my name.” He promised to work with anyone who wants to help the city, refusing to be pinned down by party labels.
Can He Actually Win the Election
The race is tighter than many expected. According to the prediction market Polymarket, Pratt currently has 20% odds of winning, putting him slightly ahead of Mayor Bass at 19%. Nithya Raman is still the frontrunner at 58%.
A poll from UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs shows a different but still surprising picture. It found that 40% of voters are still undecided. Among those with a choice, Bass leads at 25%, but Pratt is in second place with 11%, beating Raman who has 9%.
The primary election is set for June 2. If no candidate gets more than 50% of the vote, the top two will face off in a November runoff.
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Spencer Pratt’s Personal Fortune Explained
How did Pratt go from a multi-millionaire reality star to living in a trailer while running for mayor? He told E! News last year that the numbers people saw online were often wrong. When a screenshot of his TikTok earnings went viral, many thought he made $3.5 million in a week, which he clarified was not true.
He and Montag lost most of their wealth over the years due to lifestyle changes and a drop in TV work. Today, his income comes from three main sources: old TV residuals from shows like “The Bold and the Beautiful,” social media ad revenue, and direct fan support on live streams.
“That’s the power of individual supporters, people just backing you and getting behind you. That’s the most powerful—when you don’t have to rely on ads or AI and algorithms, when just actual human beings just want to give.” — Spencer Pratt to Variety
Despite the lower net worth, Pratt’s campaign message is resonating with voters who feel left behind. His simple ad, filmed on the streets of LA, has done more to grab attention than millions of dollars in traditional advertising.
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