Jason Wahler

As 2007 draws to a close, it's time to reflect and pay tribute to the stars who made this a year to remember. On that note, The Hollywood Gossip is announcing its 10 finalists for its first annual Celebrity of the Year award.

They've given us their best, their worst and, in a more than a few cases, their naked pictures. Now it is time for us to give a little something back with this special feature, because without these celebrities, we are nothing.

We previously profiled High Schol Musical hunk Zac Efron at #7. Now, without further delay, we present Celebrity of the Year finalist #6 … The Hills cast!

In a manner of speaking, Lauren Conrad is the straw the stirs The Hills drink. At the same time, without Lauren's smarmy and sexy supporting cast, this Laguna Beach spin-off would never have been catapulted to its massive success.

In Season 3 of The Hills, the end of LC's friendship with Heidi Montag turned into to a public feud, with conflict outside the show spilling into the media.

A Year in The Hills: Star Lauren Conrad led her life, Spencer and Heidi staged a lot of pics, Jason Wahler went to rehab and jail, and Whitney Port sure looked pretty.

Amidst rumors of the Lauren Conrad sex tape, much of the season served as a mole hunt as Lauren had suspicions that the (false) sex tape rumors of were spread by Heidi and boyfriend Spencer Pratt (both Heidi and Spencer denied it).

Combine that central theme with former star Jason Wahler getting arrested four times, Spencer and Heidi getting engaged and staging bikini photo shoots every other day, LC's friend Whitney Port stepping into the limelight, and romance rumors involving Lauren Conrad and Brody Jenner, and a hit series was born.

The drama was so widespread that even bit players such as Gavin Beasley, Stephanie Pratt, Justin-Bobby Brescia and Jenn Bunney got in on the action. It was a year to remember on The Hills, and with at least eight new episodes coming next spring, we can only hope for a repeat - and then some - in 2008.

Looks like for Jason Wahler, the slate is finally clean... er.

The Laguna Beach alumnus was released from a Seattle jail on Tuesday after serving 20 days of his 30-day sentence stemming his arrest for drunkenly roughing up a hotel security guard in April, his publicist confirms.

The Seattle City Attorney's Office said when Jason Wahler turned himself in to start his sentence that he could potentially get out early due to good behavior.

"He's free," Wahler's publicist said. "And he's doing very well."

Jason Wahler, who spent two months in rehab earlier this year following no fewer than four arrests on a variety of booze-fueled charges, avoided getting nailed with 60 additional days behind bars in L.A. after a sympathetic judge determined that he needed to quit drinking more than anything else.

The 20-year-old fiance of Katja Decker-Sadowski and ex-beau of Lauren Conrad did not get out of jail free in Seattle, however, after committing assault and criminal trespass and underage drinking in a hotel brawl April 8.

According to authorities, Jason Wahler left the hotel briefly after the rumble but was later discovered by police passed out in a third-floor hallway.

But now, according to myriad accounts, including his own, Jason Wahler is back on the straight and narrow. After completing a stint at an in-house treatment facility, performing community service and attending some anger management counseling, he continues to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

Jason Wahler remains on probation in California until May 2010.

As for his career moves, he is currently shooting the horror movie 10,000 Doors, and said he's signed on to star in a new reality show, Teen Savers, where he will mentor at-risk youth attempting to get their lives in order, no doubt imparting some been-there, done-that wisdom in the process.

The bad boy is behind bars. Jason Wahler has voluntarily turned himself in and surrendered to jail officials in Issaquah, Washington, October 25, to do time for assault, criminal trespassing and underage drinking. He was arrested in April.

"[Jason Wahler] is making amends for his past arrest," his rep tells Us Weekly exclusively. "This is not a new arrest." A bit surprising, but that's good news.

The star of Laguna Beach and The Hills is set for a sentence of 30 days in the slammer, but his rep said, "we hope it's cut short." So do we. So do we.

At least Jason Wahler, 20, is keeping busy behind bars. And we're not talking about conjugal visits from his sexy fiancee Katja Decker-Sadowski.

Wahler, the ex-boyfriend of Lauren Conrad, recently signed on to play a jock in the horror flick, 10,000 Doors. Shooting begins later this month.

"He is currently spending his time behind bars reading the script and getting ready for the role so he has a lot to do," says Jason Wahler's rep.

That's the focal point of this drama-filled episode.

In her continuing efforts to forge a friendship with her former flame, Jason Wahler, star Lauren Conrad wasn't exactly expecting to learn that ...

1. He has a new girlfriend.
2. Oh, and they're living together.
3. They're engaged! Surprise! Woo!

Jason drops bombs #1 and #2 during a lunch date with LC, inviting her to a housewarming party thrown by himself and his new gal. She accepts.

Only when Lauren and Audrina Patridge attend said party do they learn the full extent of Jason's relationship with Katja Decker-Sadowski.

The big moment comes when a drunk frat guy offers a toast - with a plastic cup of beer, just pumped from a keg - to celebrate the engagement of Wahler.

Lauren's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates.

Her heartbreak and complete shock evident, LC feigns happiness for a time, though later she confides to Jason that "I think you're being an idiot."

After all, he's only 20 years old and still in a recovering alcoholics program that recommends he not date anyone... let alone get engaged to someone.

A calm Jason Wahler just rolls with his ex-girlfriend's criticism, though, and is clearly happy with Katja Decker-Sadowski, a tennis player at USC.

The highlight of the night came when a clearly jealous Katja interrupted Lauren's during her heart-to-heart with Jason on the deck, heaving herself on Wahler's lap in one of the most awkward moments in Hills history. What a bitch!

Left: Jason and fiancee Katja Decker-Sadowski. Right: LC and Whitney.

The next day, Lauren Conrad reflected on the events with a cooler head, saying "this could have been me ... but as much as I love Jason, I'm glad it's not!"

She also noted that she's dreamed about the day gets engaged and it doesn't involve plastic cups of beer and Bob Marley posters. Same here, Lauren!

In other news, Whitney Port drops the ball a little at Teen Vogue when she is in charge of a photo shoot for a band, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, but goes out and parties with them late the night before and everyone shows up late. Fortunately, her editor, Lisa Love, only gives our girl a slight reprimand and tells her to step it up.

Lastly, the loathesome Spencer Pratt is not psyched about registering for wedding presents. Or telling his parents that he's engaged to Heidi Montag. The episode ends with Spence's sheepish admission that his folks don't even know... despite the fact that he's a media whore who appears on a well-known reality show!

Thoughts? Feelings? Comments? Sound off in our Hills forum.

Back her weekend away with the bumbling Justin-Bobby (Justin Brescia), Audrina Patridge announces that the volatile couple is sooo back on.

Lauren and Whitney, meanwhile, discuss the development at work the next day, where Whitney teases an obviously concerned Lauren Conrad.

"They probably worked it out on their own," Whitney Port chides at her friend, adding, "no need for everyone else to get involved!"

Then none other than Jason Wahler calls, and Whitney shoots Lauren a look of disapproval over LC's decision to answer that Blackberry.

Jason takes Lauren to dinner at the new L.A. hotspot Ketchup, a place owned by none other than Paula Abdul boy toy J.T. Torregiani.

Wouldn't you know it, Spencer Pratt just happens to be taking Heidi Montag to that very place to celebrate her promotion at Bolthouse.

After Jason and Lauren share some awkward moments of nostalgic flirtation, the drama starts to go down when a sarcastic Spencer spots them, and says "It's great to see you guys back together, really, it's heartwarming."

LC restrains Jason, who wants to go over to their table and start $h!t. But the needling Spencer sends over a water and a Shirley Temple over to their table, prompting Conrad and Wahler to leave - and get heckled as they do.

Spencer's take: "I wonder if she picked him up in rehab or jail?"

Heidi's take: "After everything she's been through with Jason, and me... who was there for her, through all that hell, is the one she won't talk to... it's baffling."

Jason's take: "Who cares about them?"

Lauren's take: Not a lot, but she gave Jason Wahler SERIOUS kiss-me-now eyes when he drops her off afterwards. Damn, girl! Fortunately, J doesn't make a move. Lauren is really desperate for some loving, guys. Make a move!

Elodie's take: "What exactly did you do to her that makes her not even want to accept a drink from you? And also, you know, you were also friends with Audrina, and she doesn't talk to you anymore. You were friends with Whitney too. You don't even know what's wrong and what's right anymore. It's so sad!"

Oh. Snap. Clearly Heidi Montag's "all business" defense doesn't fly with Elodie, who's still bitter over losing out on that Bolthouse job and pretty damn sick of listening to Heidi whining and bossing around her new assistant.

All in all, The Hills weren't as alive last night as weeks past, but there were some cute moments, unintentional comedy, and groundwork laid for future meltdowns and cat fights. In short, it was a terrific half hour of reality television.

The much-hyped Lauren-Jason reunion was a little anticlimactic, and was put off until the closing moments, but it turned out to be remarkably sweet.

As much as a scene featuring Jason Wahler can be, anyway.

Genuine and a tad awkward, Lauren Conrad was honest with her man when he asked why she cut him out of her life: "I had to make a clean break from you."

If LC were Audrina, she wouldn't have said "I want to be friends with you someday, not now," rather, she would've ridden into the sunset with J-Wahl.

Yes, roomie Patridge had done so earlier - literally - with Justin-Bobby (Justin Brescia) after taking him back for the 80th time. So touching.

Props to the producers at MTV for accenting both scenes with an emotional pop ballad about the perils of love and the challenge of finding one's soul mate. This may be reality TV, but it feels like a movie with an eight-figure budget.

Meanwhile, Friday Night Lights is pure fiction, yet feels like a documentary. But we're getting way off topic from The Hills here.

Anyway, Lauren and Jason met up for coffee and a heart-to-heart. Much as we look for ways to bash Jason Wahler, he seemed sincere and regretful, admitting to "being so out of control" and apologizing for his bad habits and behavior.

A calm, coherent, and clean cut (though still a little scruffy) Wahler was a nice change for fans of The Hills. Heck, we sure prefer him to Spencer Pratt. We wonder if this was all shot before his engagement to Katja Decker-Sadowski.

In any case, Whitney Port was shocked - in her typical, expressive fashion - when she heard about Jason's return. We always love Ms. Port and her role. Lauren would be advised to take her boss Whit's sage advice to heart. Girl knows her stuff!

LC and friends made a number of mature conclusions about guys this week, albeit ones they will probably ignore despite better judgment ...

• Lauren Conrad stated that, as soon as you stop thinking about bad guys, they can sense it, like radar, and call. So true, girl!
• There is no such thing as the perfect guy, noted Audrina Patriduge.
• Not everyone's going to be your Prince Charming, added Whitney Port.
• Oh, and never date your trainer. Audrina and Lauren ended up going out with their personal trainer, Jarett, and his lame friend, Derek, who Lauren was so turned off by, she could barely hide it. He talked about himself the entire time. Needless to say, LC's one-date streak curse remained intact.

Jason Wahler was in rehab when rumors of a the Lauren Conrad sex tape (he allegedly co-stars) surfaced, and he's returning to The Hills next week to set the record straight.

"The whole thing that Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt said about the sex tape thing... it's just so annoying," Wahler told Ryan Seacrest on his KIIS-FM radio show.

"They just need to shut up."

Ooooh. Fight! Fight! Fight!

After rumors spread that Lauren Conrad made a sex tape with Wahler, who she dated in two different intervals, LC blamed Montag and her fiancé, Pratt, while denying she ever made such a video.

"The most frustrating part is that they are such lowlifes that they have to come up with stuff to try and ruin other people," says Wahler. "It's just frustrating."

Speaking on Seacrest's show to promote his guest appearance September 10, Wahler - who just got engaged to Katja Decker-Sadowski - denies the sex tape ever existed and says he regards Lauren Conrad as a close friend.

"Lauren is still a good friend. She was always there to be supportive and stuff," Wahler said. "Things definitely get stirred up on Monday night's episode. You'll have to wait and see what happens."

Not to worry, though. When asked if he hooks up with LC, though, Wahler doesn't leave us in suspense: "No, I don't."

Summer is almost over, but that doesn't mean it's not a great time to turn over a new leaf and begin life anew. Especially for recovering reality TV alcoholics.

Fresh out of rehab and four arrests in four states in the span of a year, former Laguna Beach star Jason Wahler says he's a new man ... and he's getting married!

Wahler's representative confirmed to TMZ that Jason officially proposed last weekend to his girlfriend, USC student and tennis star, Katja Decker-Sadowski.

Jason picked out some serious bling - a four-carat, emerald cut diamond ring - in Beverly Hills. Spencer Pratt and the fake ring he pretended to give Heidi Montag can suck it.

Jason Wahler and Katja Decker-Sadowski have been dating for six months or so, having gotten together even before he got out of detox.

The couple, which recently moved in together in Los Angeles, has not set a date. Wahler, fans surely remember used to date Lauren Conrad on both The Hills and Laguna Beach, but his being repeatedly being a dick caused messy breakups both times.

Still, he's committed to a new life, he and LC are friends, and Jason seems very happy since he met Katja Decker-Sadowski, so we're all for this union. Congrats, kids!

Here are some photos of Jason Wahler and Katja Decker-Sadowski. So in love!

He is a good listener, according to Lauren Conrad, and has become one of her best friends. Yes, her troubled boyfriend from Laguna Beach and The Hills, Jason Wahler, is looking to turn the corner after four arrests in as many states over the course of a year.

Speaking at The Hills premiere party for the new season, Wahler discussed how he regrets his past misbehavior and praises how his lifestyle has been transformed of late.

Wahler also confirms he is dating a USC student (Katja Decker-Sadowski) though he didn't name her when asked, saying that "it's been in magazines."

In closing, the reformed bad boy admits that he never much cared for Lauren Conrad's estranged friend, Heidi Montag, calling the blonde one "shady."

See the interview with Jason Wahler below ...

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=uySl4J_pHYQ[/youtube]

Scruffy jailbird Jason Wahler and a gal pal were spotted strutting down L.A.'s Robertson Blvd. on Saturday by TMZ ... and believe it or not, he didn't get arrested for anything!

In what appeared to be a power walk - replete with giant coffee and a smoke - the stud from Laguna Beach and The Hills didn't seem to be going anywhere in particular.

When asked if he was attending a promotional event being held down the street at Kitson for Hairspray, he said, "Um, no way."

How Hairspray star Zac Efron would respond to this remark, we can't say.

Nor can we say definitively whether Jason Wahler's companion on this stroll was Katja Decker-Sadowski, the USC tennis player he's reportedly dating.

But we're fairly confident in stating that J-Wahl seems to be in much better spirits and doing a lot better since leaving rehab and we're happy for him.

Now, someone just keep Lauren Conrad away from him, please.