Overview of Audrina Patridge: Surviving an Abusive Relationship (FBF)
In this Call Her Daddy conversation, Audrina Patridge reflects on her rise from The Hills to writing her memoir Choices, and opens up in detail about the abusive, toxic relationship with her ex-husband Corey Bohan. She talks about how reality TV shaped her image, what really happened behind the scenes with castmates like Lauren Conrad and Heidi Montag, and how she eventually found the strength to leave an emotionally and physically damaging marriage for the sake of herself and her daughter.
Audrina’s Road to The Hills
How she got cast
- Audrina moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting and was trying to build a career through auditions and nightlife connections.
- She was discovered by The Hills producers while hanging out by the pool with roommates.
- At the time, she had no idea how big the show would become or how intense reality TV would feel once filming started.
Early impressions of the show
- She says filming was uncomfortable at first because reality TV is highly produced, with multiple cameras, lighting, and pressure to perform.
- Audrina felt the show captured only part of the truth, often leaning into drama rather than showing her more relaxed, everyday personality.
Relationships on The Hills
Justin Bobby
- Audrina first met Justin Bobby while working at Coyote Studios, where he would repeatedly stop by her desk and call the office to talk to her.
- She says he was much sweeter and more caring off camera than his on-screen persona suggested.
- Their relationship, she explains, was complicated by producers amplifying conflict and jealousy for the sake of storylines.
Lauren Conrad
- Audrina’s first impression of Lauren was that she was closed off, but she later understood why Lauren was cautious around people.
- Off camera, Audrina says they actually had a lot of fun living together and shared a close bond.
- She describes Lauren as strong, opinionated, and careful about what she said on camera because she was already seasoned in reality TV.
Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt
- Audrina and Heidi clicked immediately because Heidi was outgoing, fun, and easy to be around.
- She admires Heidi and Spencer for staying together through a lot of public pressure and personal chaos.
The Truth About Reality TV
What filming was really like
- Audrina says the show often pushed cast members into manufactured conflict.
- She believes many reality shows should now be considered “reality scripted television,” since producers heavily influence what happens.
- She notes that social media has made the reality TV environment even harsher, with public pile-ons and death threats aimed at cast members.
Her feelings about the legacy of The Hills
- She feels the original series was more authentic than modern reality TV because it happened before social media became so central.
- While she appreciates the career opportunities the show created, she also sees the emotional cost.
Her Relationship with Corey Bohan
How it started
- Audrina and Corey’s relationship began organically after meeting through mutual friends and reconnecting later.
- At first, she liked that he seemed established, respected, and different from the typical Hollywood scene.
- Their chemistry was real, but the relationship quickly became unstable and toxic.
Warning signs and manipulation
Audrina describes a pattern of:
- cheating accusations that were often projection
- attempts to isolate her
- controlling behavior around her phone, social life, and friendships
- verbal abuse and humiliation
- repeated cycles of denial, forgiveness, and temporary peace
She emphasizes that emotional abuse can be just as destructive as physical abuse, even when it isn’t visible to outsiders.
Why she stayed
- She loved him and wanted the relationship to work.
- She hoped marriage and having a child would fix things.
- She was embarrassed and hid much of the abuse from family and friends.
- She says she kept trying because she wanted stability and believed change was possible.
Motherhood, Escalation, and Leaving
Pregnancy and hope
- Audrina thought becoming parents might help Corey settle down and change.
- For a time, he was excited and involved, but the toxic behavior continued and worsened.
The breaking point
- The relationship reached a crisis when Corey physically pushed her while she was holding their baby.
- That moment made her realize she could no longer protect her daughter and continue the marriage.
- Calling the police and later getting a restraining order were painful but necessary steps.
Choosing herself and her daughter
- Audrina says her family and church community helped her find the strength to leave.
- She describes the divorce as difficult, but ultimately the right decision for her and her child.
- Leaving allowed her to rebuild her confidence and regain a sense of peace.
Advice and Takeaways
What she wants other women to know
- Abuse is not always physical; emotional abuse can be equally damaging.
- If you feel the need to hide a relationship from loved ones, that’s a major red flag.
- Constant accusations, control, and isolation are warning signs of deeper abuse.
- Don’t rush into marriage if your gut is telling you something is wrong.
Her current outlook
- Audrina says she is in a much healthier place now and is open to dating again, but only with strong boundaries.
- She is focused on what is best for her daughter and refuses to settle for anything less than a serious, healthy relationship.
What’s Next for Audrina
- She is promoting her memoir Choices, which she says was healing but also emotionally difficult to write.
- She also co-hosts a The Hills rewatch podcast with Brody and Frankie, though she admits rewatching the show is “cringy” and hard for her to watch without wine.
- Audrina seems hopeful about the future, more grounded than ever, and ready for the next chapter of her life.