View the Gallery / 13 Photos »

A stroll along the beach with boyfriend Kyle Howard is a vastly preferred activity these days for reality TV star Lauren Conrad. After a failed stint as a fashion designer, Lauren is also closing the chapter on her time as a star on MTV’s series The Hills.

However, no one is more overjoyed at Lauren’s departure than her former BFF Heidi Montag. The toothy blond said of L.C.’s retirement, “We’ll miss her–I just don’t know if we need her.” She added, “[Lauren's] gotta leave the dramas to the pros!”

Although Conrad will appear in this new season, her contract with MTV ended in March and her scenes have wrapped. MTV denies claims
that Lauren filmed reactions to fake scenarios, in order to provide
appropriate footage for whatever outcome her costars might create. Yes, because the idea of fake scenarios is so preposterous. I really hope they unearth some outtakes of her trying to pretend to cry during filming of her reaction to the news that Heidi and/or Spencer were mauled by tigers.

Gallery Info: Lauren Conrad and boyfriend Kyle Howard on the beach in Malibu.