Paris Hilton: ‘I’ve learned that loving yourself isn’t arrogance’

For 44 years, Paris has been much more than a city. But now the heiress — once known for her endless parties, baby voice and chihuahua, Tinkerbell — has swapped cocktails for baby bottles and claimed her own voice… literally.

In fact, the baby voice was always part of the persona of Paris Hilton. Like other iconic blondes such as Jayne Mansfield and Marilyn Monroe — journalist Hugo Rifkind called Paris Hilton “the Marilyn Monroe of the 21st century” — it was the product of an ongoing performance. “I’m not a dumb blonde, I’m just very good at pretending to be one,” she said at the time.

She knew how to turn fame into a career and, far from merely spending her fortune, ensured it grew through DJ gigs, a skincare line, 30 fragrances, music albums, and a seemingly endless list of ventures — to which she now has added another role: model for Karl Lagerfeld’s fall-winter campaign. Lagerfeld was a fan of the reality show The Simple Life, in which, alongside Nicole Richie, Hilton perfected the role of a work-averse bimbo and coined her own catchphrase: “That’s hot.”

“Karl told me it was one of his favorite shows, which I thought was iconic. He could understand the show. It was a surreal moment for me and made me realize just how much of a cultural impact that show had,” explains Paris, who arrives first to the video call, proving that diva behavior is absolutely not her style… and that, indeed, is hot.

Question. We thought we knew everything about Paris Hilton until your memoir and documentary came out. Were you afraid to show yourself vulnerable in a world that thrives on hate?

Answer. It was definitely scary at first because I had been playing this character for so long. It was almost like armor because I’m a naturally shy person. Playing it helped me just feel more free to be silly. Going through so much trauma in my life being that character made me feel comforted in some way. But then I wanted to let go of the character, and it was the most freeing thing I’ve done in my life: having the world finally know who I really am and that there’s so much more to me than the party girl they thought I was. It allowed me to live more authentically and stop hiding parts of myself. Being able to live authentically has been a healing experience. It just feels more powerful just to be who I truly am, and the woman I’ve become. I’ve been through so much… I’m strong, resilient, and I feel like discovering who you are is a very empowering feeling.

Q. You’re not afraid to give yourself a compliment!

A. My mom always taught me the importance of confidence and believing in myself, even when the world tries to tell you otherwise. I’ve learned that loving yourself isn’t arrogance. We should be allowed to celebrate who we are unapologetically. And that’s what my motto in life was all about, it’s about living.

Q. You even celebrate your ADHD — and have turned it into a hit song.

A. Sia told me she’d never heard a pop star sing about ADHD. I asked her if it would be weird to have a song called ADHD on the album. She thought it was a brilliant idea. I wish I’d had a song like this when I was a teenager. Instead of seeing it as a weakness, I started seeing it as a superpower. Sia is an amazing friend, and I’m so grateful to her. Just having her believe in me and produce my album just gave me so much confidence. I feel like I’ve grown so much since my first record. I’m so much more connected to myself and my voice now. Singing has become a creative outlet, and I’m having so much fun doing it. Now, back in the studio recording my third album, I’ve been singing in ways I didn’t even know I was capable of. I feel like music is such a powerful tool that can be so healing. Connecting with my fans on such a deep level through music has been amazing.

Q. Back in the 2000s, people constantly said that you were “famous for being famous.”

A. Fame is what you make of it, and I’ve always treated it like a platform. It’s about owning my story and creating a brand.

Q. You’re the executive producer of My Friend Daisy, a podcast by journalist Jenn Swann that explores the investigation into the murder of a 19-year-old woman in Compton and the online movement it inspired. What power does social media have in the fight for justice?

A. Too often, women’s voices are silenced or ignored, especially when they speak out about abuse. This podcast is about making sure those stories are seen, heard, and believed. Social media gives us the power to shine a light on injustice. I’m passionate about building a world where every woman’s story matters.

Q. You’re the CEO of 11:11, a media company that empowers creators, brands, and intellectual property — and through which you also produced your documentary and cooking show. How important is it for you to maintain control over your own projects?

A. Creative control is everything to me. Everything I put out through 11:11 Media is authentic and connected to me. In a world with so much content, I think people connect with what feels real. It means a lot to me to have that creative control.

Q. What can we expect from your hotel project?

A. I’m excited to follow in my family’s footsteps. I’ve stayed in the most iconic, beautiful hotels around the world, so I know exactly what makes something truly special. I can’t wait to bring all that luxury, creativity, and attention to detail into a space that reflects my world. It will have timeless glamour with a modern twist and will be a place where people can live their best lives.

Q. What has it meant to you to be the face of Karl Lagerfeld, a brand you admire so much?

A. Being the face of the brand is a full circle moment for me. I’ve made my mark in fashion over the years, and this campaign celebrates that legacy in a powerful and playful way. We shot the spot in a Los Angeles studio close to home, which I loved. The vibe on set was very creative, but also very warm and family-orientated, which made it even more special. I loved working with Chris Colls. His photography is incredible, and he’s so talented. We worked with Jon Kortajarena, who I’ve known for about 15 years. He’s gorgeous, kind, funny, and sweet.

Q. As a fashion expert, what do you particularly admire about the brand?

A. The way it honors the designer’s legacy while keeping things fresh and fun. It captures his iconic energy: bold, elegant, and totally original, but also isn’t afraid to evolve. It’s timeless with a twist, which is exactly my thing.

Q. Paris, what’s hot now?

A. The Labubus! I have about 100. My husband went to Harrods and bought me so many of them. My kids couldn’t stop opening the boxes. They’re so cute!

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAÍS USA Edition