Hilton shares story knowing other women need to hear it
Paris Hilton is adding her voice to the chorus of women speaking out to reclaim their narrative from the media and the public.
She recently released “Paris: The Memoir,” sharing what it was like for her growing up a Hilton, being sent away to programs for troubled teens but finding mental and physical abuse, crafting a party girl image and high-pitched voice, and co-starring in the reality TV show “The Simple Life” with Nicole Richie.
In 2020, Hilton released a Youtube documentary, “This is Paris,” addressing her experiences at the schools. “That was the first time that I really became vulnerable and real and shared my story and what I went through,” said Hilton.
Today, Hilton is involved in advocacy work against child abuse and has welcomed a son with her husband, Carter Reum, whom she wed in November 2021. Phoenix Barron Hilton Reum was born via a surrogate in January.
This interview with Hilton has been edited for clarity and length.
Q: You’re one of quite a few women who have taken control of their story in recent years. Was there anyone who inspired you to do the same or to consider doing this? A:
I was at the premiere of Demi Lovato’s documentary a couple of years ago, and I was just so blown away by her honesty and her vulnerability and talking about so many private moments in her life. That really inspired me just to be able to feel free, to be open and to be more honest about what I was going through, because especially in Hollywood, it can be very hard, especially on your mental health. A lot of people go through things, and we all try to project this perfect life, but life isn’t perfect.
Q: If you could map out how this book will be received, what would that look like? A:
For so long I’ve been misunderstood and underestimated, and there’s just so much more to me than what people think. It all really started off with my documentary, “This Is Paris.” That was the first time that I really became vulnerable and real and shared my story and what I went through.
Q: You shared things in your book like being sexually assaulted and having an abortion. Was that difficult? A:
A lot of the things that I put in the book were very hard to write about, a lot of memories that I tried to not think about for so many years. But I think it was
important to include them because it’s part of my story. I just know that there’s a lot of women out there who need to hear that story as well.
Q: You’re a new mom. Are you dialing it back on all your traveling and business responsibilities? A:
I am saying “no” a lot just because I want to be there for all the moments, so I’m trying to do as much from home as possible, building my podcasting studio there, my recording studio for my music, a photo studio for photoshoots. I try to work from home as much as possible so I can pop in and out of his room because I am just so obsessed with my little baby boy.
Q: You also write in your book about how you have ADHD and your husband researched it when you were dating to understand you better. A:
He’s just so supportive. And he talks to my ADHD doctor and has just really done so much research. He basically knows more about it than I do and is teaching me these things every single day as well. So that’s been really awesome.
Q: In your book you share you have five cellphones. One is dedicated to prank phone calls. Do you have those on you?
A: Yeah. I only have a couple of them here (holds up three phones). I love doing prank phone calls with my mom.