Kristin Cavallari is an American fashion designer, actress and television sensation. She began as a cast member on an MTV reality series and later had her own reality series: Very Cavallari. She recently launched her own clean and minimalistic skincare brand: Uncommon Beauty, with an emphasis on fewer but higher-performing products.
By Bárbara Perino
Photography courtesy of Kristin Cavallari
Illustration Nadia Chamorra @nadiachamorra
LEMON MAGAZINE [LEMON]: Hi Kristin, what a journey your life has been! What was your first experience with reality TV like?
Kristin Cavallari [K.C.]: Hi! Overall, I had a great experience on reality TV. That’s not to say there weren’t hard times – being 17, 18 is hard enough, and then the pressure of being on TV offers its own challenges. But I look back on that phase of my life very positively. It ultimately made me who I am today, and I had to do a lot of soul searching because of it. I didn’t know who I was, and I knew I didn’t want to be the girl I saw on TV, so I had to look inward and do a lot of growing up.
[LEMON]: Can you tell us about one high point and one low point from your first reality show?
[K.C.]: Some of the good moments are classic memories, like how I was asked to prom, graduation, those sorts of events. I’m glad I have those on camera and shot in such a beautiful way. A low point was when my boyfriend at the time and I were in a fight and he was trying to talk to me about it, but because I didn’t want to air our dirty laundry, I kept saying “I don’t want to talk about it” – meaning not on camera. It came off like I just didn’t want to deal with it, and it came across very cold on the show. Those sorts of moments were tough to deal with as a kid and having people judge me and my situation when they didn’t have the full picture.
[LEMON]: How has the industry changed since your days on Laguna Beach?
[K.C.]: Reality TV is very different today. Nowadays, people go on TV with an agenda and a persona they’re trying to play… it was never like that for us. We were just living our lives and had no idea what the show was going to do for us and our careers, or how much it was going to change our lives.
[LEMON]: Apart from reality TV, you’re a proud mum and an entrepreneur! What are you up to these days?
[K.C.]: Exactly that! Just focusing on my kids and Uncommon James and now Uncommon Beauty (our new clean skincare line). I’m really happy and feel like my work/life balance is perfect.
[LEMON]: I’m in love with Uncommon James, congrats! How is that going?
[K.C.]: Thank you! It’s going great! I still have to pinch myself that I’m able to live out this dream and I’m thankful every day. We just opened a new store in Dallas, which is off to an amazing start!
[LEMON]: Do you have anything new up your sleeve? Anything new with Little James?
[K.C.]: We just launched Uncommon Beauty, which has taken up most of my time. We’ve pared back Little James and are focusing just on pyjamas at the moment. We found that’s what resonates most with our customers – the fun prints and beautiful colours.
[LEMON]: What is one message you want to pass on with your work?
[K.C.]: That you can do whatever you want in life. If you have a strong work ethic, are passionate, and don’t let “no” discourage you, nothing can get in the way of your dreams. I didn’t go to college, I don’t have a BA, but I go after what I want and keep fighting until I get there.
[LEMON]: As a mother, what is a typical day like for your family?
[K.C.]: Saturdays we go to the farmer’s market, come home, make lunch, then swim, ride bikes or meet up with friends. I typically make dinner then we play outside some more or do arts and crafts before bath time and the bedtime routine. We’re pretty low key.
[LEMON]: How old are your kids?
[K.C.]: Camden is 8, Jaxon 7 and Saylor 5 years old.
[LEMON]: Tell us a bit about each of their personalities?
[K.C.]: Camden is the sweetest soul I’ve ever met. He’s good at everything he does and wise beyond his years. He’s full boy in the sense that he loves all sports and video games.
Jaxon is my wild child, no fear, a little rebel. He has the best sense of humour and makes everyone laugh. He’s always up for some fun. He also has a very sweet side.
Saylor is soft and sweet, yet has a tough side being that she has two older brothers. She’s the caretaker/best helper with her friends, but isn’t afraid to throw down with the boys and wrestle. She’s becoming super girly, always wanting to wear dresses and do her makeup and nails.
All three of them are very different and I feel so lucky to have such awesome, fun kids.
[LEMON]: Any funny parenting moments?
[K.C.]: A couple of years ago, the kids and I were staying at a hotel in Florida. We were all in the hot tub with two other couples when Jaxon yelled “Mum, I just peed!” and I went “Oh my gosh, Jaxon, you’re supposed to go to the potty” and he shouted, “YOU told me to!” Luckily everyone started laughing.
[LEMON]: How has your life changed since becoming a mum?
[K.C.]: My kids gave my life real meaning and purpose. It’s also made me really get in touch with myself and figure out exactly who I am. I need to be the best version of myself so I can be the best mum for my 3 babies. It’s also made me become a much more empathetic and compassionate person in general.
[LEMON]: As we all know, kids lead by example. What values do you want them to take from you into their adult life?
[K.C.]: I really hope they develop a great relationship with themselves. When we love ourselves, we go out into the world from a place of love rather than with negativity and hate. Putting people down, judging and criticism comes from a place of unhappiness within yourself, so I want to raise my kids to be comfortable in their own skin and love life. I hope they look at every situation as a learning experience to grow. I want them to continually grow, learn and never be complacent. At the end of the day, I only care if they’re happy. And happiness comes from loving ourselves and being grateful for everything we have.
[LEMON]: Does your family follow any specific diet?
[K.C.]: When I cook at home, we don’t do cow’s milk or gluten, but when we go out to eat or on vacation, we’ll indulge.
[LEMON]: What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?
[K.C.]: I can be very shy. Until I get to know people and I’m comfortable, I don’t say much. It takes me a minute.
[LEMON]: If you had a magic genie, what would your three wishes be?
[K.C.]: That all three of my kids grow up to be happy and healthy; that all three of my kids outlive me; that when I die, I look back feeling happy and satisfied about my life with no regrets (about things I DIDN’T do).
[LEMON]: You’re a big inspiration for many women, mums, and entrepreneurs out there, what do you hope to pass onto people who follow you on social media?
[K.C.]: Thank you! I hope I can instil some confidence in women. I want women to know that it’s ok to never settle, to chase your dreams, to want it all. We’re powerful and can do whatever we want if we put our minds to it.
[LEMON]: Is there anything you would like to change about your life?
[K.C.]: No. I’ve gotten to a place of being comfortable even in the hard times. I think everything happens for a reason and I just want to learn and grow from every experience. The older I get, the more I realise life is a series of building blocks; everything we go through starts to make sense. I think that’s really cool. I’m enjoying the journey because now I know that everything works out in the end.
[LEMON]: Any regrets?
[K.C.]: None. It’s all part of my story.
[LEMON]: Where do you see yourself in three years from now?
[K.C.]: Hopefully doing exactly what I’m doing now: being the best mum I can be and continuing to grow Uncommon James.
[LEMON]: What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of lemons?
[K.C.]: Health!
uncommonjames.com
@kristincavallari
