LAUREN CONRAD: I WAS LEADING A DOUBLE LIFE ON THE HILLS

Lauren Conrad opens up about her decision to leave The Hills after five seasons in the newest issue of Us Weekly, on stands now. "You see us on the show and we appear to have semi normal lives, but if you watch any entertainment news show, half of the cast is being swarmed by paparazzi," the 23-year-old says. "I'm excited to go back to having just one life, because there were times that I got them confused. But the decision to leave is still "bittersweet," she says. "I've spent the last five years making every decision be about the show. People I date have to be able to film, the places I work have to let us film and the places I live have to have set lighting." Conrad -- who has branched out as a fashion designer and author -- continues: "I loved doing it and had so much fun, but it came to a point where I had done it long enough." Conrad has kept her growing relationship with My Boys' Kyle Howard off the show, which she calls "very difficult, because when you're with someone, they become a very big part of your life."

Although she calls the cast and crew "family," she admits it's stressful being followed 24/7. "There have been some scenes -- extra scenes that'll probably never come out -- of me getting upset and taking my mic off. I say, 'I'm done!' and lock myself in my room," she says. "There was a time when I was really stressed, and I would get sick a lot. I think I was sick of all of season three!"

MTV cameras have been following Conrad since she was a high school student on Laguna Beach. Her last season of The Hills, which debuted in 2006, premieres March 30. Producer Liz Gately told the Associated Press they're still figuring out how to give Conrad a big send-off -- and how to continue the show without her.