Biography
- 2000s
Fashionable Ports
Fashion runs in Los Angeles native Whitney Port 's blood: her father Jeff owns apparel company Swarm, which produces the young men's line, Shades of Greigh, and backs her own fashion line, Whitney Eve. After graduating from Crossroads School in Santa Monica, Port earns a bachelor's degree in gender studies from the University of Southern California, before interning at WWD and Teen Vogue.
- 2005
The Hills Are Alive!
MTV develops a Laguna Beach spinoff with fan-favorite Lauren Conrad, featuring her move to L.A. as she studies fashion and interns at Teen Vogue. The show, which premieres in May, features Port as LC's coworker, Heidi Montag as Conrad's best friend, and Audrina Patridge as Conrad's neighbor. "The drama on this show is real problems, like, [am I] going to get fired" Conrad, 20, tells PEOPLE.
- 2007
Whitney's GMA Fall
In the second season of The Hills, Port finally gets her time in the spotlight when Andre Leon Talley, Vogue Editor-At-Large, notices her leggy physique and insists she model for a Good Morning America spot. Outfitted in Hilary Swank's Oscar dress, Port makes her way down the stairs and falls on live TV. Although she's embarrassed, Port is eventually promoted to Fashion Contributor at the magazine, becoming Conrad's superior.
From Interns to Cover Girls
Port and Conrad appear as cover girls for Teen Vogue, where they intern. "Somehow, it just doesn't feel like reality," Ports tells the magazine of making the jump from intern to cover girl. Cover veteran Conrad added, "You'll get so many phone calls when it hits newsstands!" The following year, Port and Conrad leave their internships at the magazine and move on to working for PR agency People’s Revolution.
- 2008
Whitney and The City
After putting in four seasons as Conrad's sidekick, Port nabs her own show, The City. Set in Manhattan, the spin-off follows Port as she works for designer Diane von Furstenberg. "Whitney was the person who really wasn't into the 'famous' career, modeling or acting," says executive producer Liz Gately. "But what I think is great about this new show is that you get to see her in a new light. She really opens up her personal life and there's a whole new set of variables – a new cast, a new city, and it's Whitney at the center."
The City Premieres
The City premieres on MTV, featuring Port's new life on a new coast. On becoming a leading lady, Port says she looked to Conrad as inspiration. "I had a conversation with her that really made me confident with my ability to handle this," Port says. "It's very scary to have your whole life on camera but, in the end, I decided that it was an opportunity that I would live to regret if I didn't take it."
- 2009
Whitney Covers Cosmo
Port graces the cover of Cosmopolitan and dishes on what it's like having her own show. "I break down a couple of times a week, at least,” she tells the magazine. “It gets overwhelming. Sometimes I think that I can’t take this anymore. I just want to live a normal life.” Port's drama-filled adventures win over viewers, prompting MTV to renew The City for a second season.
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Photo Credits
BIOGRAPHY (top to bottom): whitneyport.celebuzz.com; Clinton H. Wallace/Globe; Ramey; Courtesy of Cosmopolitan
- Name
- Whitney Port
- Date of Birth
- March 04, 1985
- Birth Place
- Los Angeles, Calif.
- Relationships
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Freddie Fackelmayer, ex-boyfriend (2009)
Jay Lyon, ex-boyfriend (2008 to 2009; on and off)
