Rachel Bilson made drastic changes to her lifestyle after being targeted by infamous ‘bling ring’ thieves

Hollywood actress Rachel Bilson was a victim of the infamous Bling Ring and her approach to security has since changed.

The “OC” star was among the celebrities whose homes were burglarized by a group of teenagers between 2008 and 2009. Members of the Bling Ring, later identified as Rachael Lee, Nick Prugo, Courtney Ames, Alexis Neiers, and Diana Tamayo, broke into Bilson’s home. Five times while she was out of town, she stole hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of items, including her mother’s engagement ring.

During an interview with Fox News Digital, the 43-year-old actress recalled how she felt about the theft at the time and explained how her perspective has changed over the years.

Bilson said, “I remember at the time, it was very disturbing, you know, and a lot of stuff was taken away.” “And being in my youth, it was probably hard to swallow.”

“But I would say that my mother has always taught me that I shouldn’t be so attached to material possessions or anything,” she said with a laugh.

“But it was hard,” Bilson admitted. “And I had a good collection of things that I really liked and enjoyed. And I couldn’t understand how anyone could wear size 5 shoes. I didn’t know what they were doing with all my shoes, but it sure was tough. But as the years have gone by, it seems like it’s important to be able to let things like this go.

Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Orlando Bloom and Audrina Patridge were other targets of the group, which stole a total of $3 million from the celebrities’ homes. The offenders, who were 18 and 19 years old when the crimes occurred, received varying lengths of prison sentences, probation, and community service.

Bilson told Fox News Digital that his fear subsided as more information about the thieves came to light, but he made some changes to protect himself.

“I would say, because of the nature of those thefts And knowing that they were kids, there was something that didn’t seem as scary or dangerous as it came out,” she said. “But I’ve definitely started locking my doors and setting my alarm.”

On an October 2022 episode of her podcast, “Broad Ideas with Rachel Bilson and Olivia Allen,” “The Last Kiss” star faced off against Alexis Haines née Neiers and her younger sister, Gabby, who also took part in the robberies.

During the episode, Haynes and Gabby, who were 15 at the time of the robberies, became emotional while apologizing to Bilson.

Bilson told Fox News Digital that becoming a mother affected her reaction during the sit-down with her sisters. The actress has a 9-year-old daughter, Briar Rose, and her ex-fiancé, “Star Wars” star Hayden Christensen.

She said, “It was almost like to me it was a mother tongue because these girls still have a lot of feelings about it.” “And I found myself being more nurturing as a mother. Like, it’s important to let things go.”

“I mean, look, I’ll never be like, ‘It’s OK.’ Because it was still something that was very violating and not OK,” Bilson said. “But when I look back I find myself in that position more as I’ve gotten older.

The story of the Bling Ring was dramatized in a 2013 film, based on Nancy Jo Sales’s 2010 Vanity Fair article “The Suspects Wore Louboutins”, which was based on the background and actions of the real-life group of robbers. Directed by Sofia Coppola, “The Bling Ring” stars Emma Watson, Israel Broussard, Taissa Farmiga, Katie Chang, Claire Julien, Georgia Rock and Leslie Mann.

Bilson recently announced a new partnership with the home security company SimpliSafeThe California native told Fox News Digital that the collaboration was a “natural fit” after dealing with a previous invasion of her home at the hands of the Bling Ring.

“I think it’s unfortunately and fortunately at the same time, that I’ve had experience with burglaries and thefts in the past,” she said. “I’m a big proponent of a safe home and security, and I love SimpliSafe.”

Bilson added, “Honestly, their whole technology and everything else is really just to prevent a break-in before it happens. And if I had SimpliSafe at the time, I could have traveled, and that wouldn’t have happened because I had the SimpliSafe system.

“So I was a big fan, and it was just natural.”

“The ability to feel safe in your home is important and it’s important to have products like SimpliSafe’s Active Guard Outdoor Protection and Outdoor Security Camera Series 2 that are able to proactively protect before a break-in occurs,” Bilson said in a statement. Is.” is very important.”

Speaking with Fox News Digital, Bilson also reflected on how she and Christensen are co-parenting Briar after their split in 2017.

Bilson and the 43-year-old actor began dating after co-starring in the 2008 thriller “Jumper.” The former couple announced their engagement in December 2008 but separated for a few months in 2010 before reuniting. Bilson and Christensen welcomed Briar in October 2014 but split three years later.

‘The Hart of Dixie’ alum reveals she ‘always’ says the key to their successful co-parenting relationship is ‘communication’.

“If you can talk, you really need to,” Bilson said. “And we have done really well. And our daughter is happy, confident, lovely. I mean, there’s nothing better than all this.”

Bilson emphasized her special relationship with Briar and shared that the most rewarding part of motherhood is “just being a mom.”

“I mean, raising this little human being is my passion,” Bilson told Fox News Digital. “She is my best friend. And I love her very much. Even saying ‘goodbye’ to her for a day was very difficult. Like, we won’t let each other go.

“But, you know, it’s the best thing in life, and it’s No. 1 to me,” she added.

Bilson also reflected on what she found to be the most challenging aspect of parenting Briar.

“The hardest thing, I think, as she gets older is to move on with life and how to prepare these people to live life and deal with things that may come up or that may happen in friendships. Things can come up that start happening,” she explained.

“And she’s doing really well. I’m really proud of the person he is. And the thing I love about most people is, the first thing they say about my daughter is that she’s kind, and I think, ‘Okay, then we’re doing something right,’ because that’s the most important thing. ”

Bilson rose to fame starring as Summer Roberts on the hit teen drama series “The OC” from 2003 to 2007. The show was based on a group of teenagers living in Newport Beach, an affluent city in Orange County, California.

During her interview with Fox News Digital, Bilson joked that the thing she remembers most about her time on “The OC” was chilling in a bikini at night on the beach.

She said, “No, it was a wonderful time and I’m very nostalgic for it.”

Bilson shared that when she appeared on her podcast “Welcome to the OC, Bitches!” She became “so emotional” when she rewatched the series for . Which he launched in 2021 with fellow “The OC” alum Melissa Roberts.

“It’s like you see yourself at 21 when you turn 40 and it’s such a journey,” Bilson said. “But it was a great time and I love everybody, still do. And being together was really a good experience.

Despite the prevalence of reboots of popular TV series of the past, Bilson told Fox News Digital that she was unsure whether “The OC” would ever get a revival.

“I don’t think so,” she said. “I mean, honestly, I don’t know the answer to that. I think that was really special.”

However, Bilson said that if the show gets a reboot or reunion episode she would be on board to reprise her role as Summer.

“If that were the case, would I say yes? Absolutely,” she said. “But, you know, sometimes it’s just like leaving something where it was is the right move. So I don’t know.”