Kristin Cavallari
She turned reality TV fame into a business empire, becoming a lifestyle brand mogul who redefined the influencer-to-entrepreneur path.
Born 1987 (age 39)·American television personality·Birthday: January 5·Millennials
Biography
Kristin Cavallari entered the public eye as a teenager on MTV's 'Laguna Beach,' a show that captured the sun-drenched drama of California adolescence. Rather than letting her fame fade with the show's end, she strategically navigated the spotlight, moving to 'The Hills' and later anchoring her own series, 'Very Cavallari,' which documented her life as a business owner. Her true pivot came with the launch of Uncommon James in 2017, a jewelry and lifestyle brand built on accessible luxury that grew into a multi-million dollar enterprise. Cavallari's journey is a study in modern brand-building, leveraging personal narrative to create a tangible commercial success while authoring books and navigating the complexities of public life with a sharp, often candid, business acumen.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Kristin was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Kristin Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Kristin's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Founded and grew the multi-million dollar lifestyle and jewelry brand Uncommon James in 2017.
- Starred in and produced her own reality series, 'Very Cavallari,' which aired on E! for three seasons.
- Authored multiple lifestyle and recipe books, including 'Balancing in Heels' and 'True Roots.'
- Parleyed early fame on MTV's 'Laguna Beach' and 'The Hills' into a sustained public career spanning over 15 years.
Did You Know?
She was a competitive figure skater for nearly a decade before her television career began.
Cavallari is of Italian descent on her father's side and her last name means 'cavalier' or 'knight' in Italian.
She turned down a role in the film 'The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants' to continue on 'Laguna Beach.'
Her brand name, Uncommon James, is derived from her son's first name and her father's middle name.
“I've always been very business-minded. Even when I was on 'Laguna Beach,' I knew that wasn't going to be my career.”
