Spencer Pratt leaves ‘The Hills’ to fight cyber crime
By Jennifer Garcia, PEOPLE.com
March 15, 2010 5:22 p.m. EDT
Spencer Pratt of “The Hills” says he is taking time off the show to focus on protecting the country from cyber-crime.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Spencer Pratt of MTV’s “The Hills” says he is suspending filming to fight cyber crime
Heidi Montag’s husband said he wants to serve his country in helping to maintain tech security
The reality star is studying software engineering with a focus on encryption at USC
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Spencer Pratt
Heidi Montag
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(PEOPLE.com) — Spencer Pratt made his name as the guy audiences loved to hate on “The Hills,” but now says he’s leaving the show to take his career in a totally new — and unexpected — direction.
“In the last few months I have discovered a new passion and new purpose to my life,” Pratt told PEOPLE. “With this in mind, I have decided to take a break from my obligations to MTV’s “The Hills” and discontinue filming any more episodes for this current season.”
Currently studying software engineering with a focus on encryption at USC, Pratt said he’s headed to work for American Defense Enterprises in their cyber security division.
“Upon learning of President Obama’s declaration that the ‘cyber threat is one of the most serious economic and national security challenges we face as a nation,’ I have decided to refocus my energy and devote my full resources to helping America face this and other unprecedented challenges,” he said.
“My new mission is this: To do my part in maintaining the technological superiority of the U.S. military and prevent emerging technologies from threatening our nation’s security.
“With that being said, I am saddened to take this break from filming MTV’s “The Hills.” At this time, however I feel I would not be honoring my country or myself if I were to continue this endeavor when I have the opportunity and the ability to assist our nation against these prevalent threats.”
Pratt’s wife, Heidi Montag, will remain on the show. Last week she announced that Pratt would no longer be her manager, and instead she hired a Malibu-based psychic named Aiden Chase.