Q&A: Whitney Port has a new gig in New York City

NEW YORK -- While Lauren Conrad has opened the door to her life on MTV's "The Hills," Whitney Port has dug a moat and pulled up the bridge.

Fans haven't seen much of Port, who says she's guarded by design. That's all about to change with "The City," her new spin-off series from the popular reality show.

Cameras follow Port as she moves from Los Angeles to New York to work for Diane von Furstenberg. "The City" premieres Monday on MTV.

Port recently talked about her new show and fame.

AP: Why didn't you allow viewers to see much of your life on "The Hills"?

Port: At the beginning, it was a conscious effort of mine. I was kind of uncomfortable. I just wanted to focus on my career. But on "The City," you're going to get a glimpse into my personal life. There will be a lot of fun behind closed doors.

AP: Was it hard to decide to do your own show?

Port: It was a very hard decision. I let it marinate for a couple months and everyone allowed me to do that and in the end, the pros definitely outweighed the cons so I think it was a good decision.

AP: Are you surprised by the popularity of "The Hills"?

Port: It's so surprising to me. Obviously, when I went into it I had no idea. I think it's basically a guilty pleasure for everyone.

AP: There are certain parts of your life that MTV doesn't want to show on "The Hills" -- such as your fame. Is it strange to not address those things on camera?

Port: Our lives have become so complicated it's difficult to cut around it, but for the most part we're just ourselves. Cameras there or not.

AP: You don't seem to be a dramatic person. Will there be drama on "The City"?

Port: There is some drama because what would reality TV be without drama? Hopefully, I'm not the one producing it. I'm not the kind of person who goes out looking for it or causing it but there are people that come into your life that inevitably cause it. I'm just there to handle it and take it all day by day.

AP: What do you say to critics of the show?

Port: I think that's only normal with anything that's a success. When it comes to the nitpicking, to each his own. Sometimes it can be flattering that people are taking so much time to do that.

AP: Do you like living in New York?

Port: I love everything about it right now. Except for the cab situation.

AP: What does your family think of your fame?

Port: My two younger sisters are in college so they're in the midst of the fans so it can get strange for them but everyone's handling it fine. We try to not make all the focus and attention on me.

AP: Can we expect to see Lauren Conrad on "The City"?

Port: I would love it. I would love to have her on. I don't know that they've planned for that yet.