You either love her or hate her. The icon of the early 2000s, Paris Hilton, has once more appeared in the limelight with her new documentary, This Is Paris. In this documentary, Hilton reveals intimate stories that far differ from her television (TV) persona, instigating a reevaluation of her established character. She is no longer a Barbie that seeks attention; Hilton now has a bigger goal of becoming a billionaire. Released on September 14, 2020, This Is Paris explores the untold story of Hilton’s traumatic childhood experience that has molded her into the person she is today. The privileged yet somewhat tragic life of Paris Hilton sends the message that, no matter how much money or success one has, one is always vulnerable in the journey of life.
Granddaughter of the Hilton hotel chain, Paris Hilton was living the life of a rich heiress and model until her then-boyfriend posted a sex-tape featuring her in 2003. A few weeks after the release of the video, Hilton debuted her first reality TV show, The Simple Life, with her long-time friend Nicole Richie. The show portraying two socialites attempting to perform menial tasks became an immediate success among audiences. This caused Hilton’s popularity to skyrocket, marking the starting point of her career as a celebrity.
After a decade of being “famous for being famous,” Hilton has slowly faded away from the paparazzi’s focus, opting for the creation of her own social media presence as well as the construction of her career. Currently a well-established businesswoman and a professional DJ, Hilton has been successful at creating her empire. Nonetheless, the former blond rich diva, and party-girl image stemming from the success of The Simple Life has yet to be erased completely from the public’s mind. In an interview, Hilton reveals that she first rejected the offer to film a new documentary. However, after director Alexandra Dean shared the concept of the film and wore Hilton down, she decided to participate. This Is Paris reveals the story of her real self that was masked behind by “the person [she] invented who really isn’t [her].”
Shadowing Her Real Self
Fame, money, and good appearance are the greatest desires of many. Hilton is the exemplar that possesses such qualities. She is none other than the original influencer as well as one of the first women to create a lucrative career out of her privileged status. However, This Is Paris does not focus solely on the success of Hilton’s business; instead, the emphasis is on the more intimate parts of her life. The former it girl confesses the fakeness of her persona by opening the film with the statement that nobody is aware of her real self. Her mother even mentions that her ‘Disney’-like self, displayed in the tabloids, simply functions as a defense mechanism; it is just a shell exhibiting what the public wants to see.
The mansion, the photoshoots, the flights and the cameras all capture the life of a successful businesswoman, resolving one of the public’s biggest curiosities: What happened to Paris Hilton? The film clarifies, however, that although Hilton’s life seems to be filled with fame and money, everything was not handed to her on a silver platter. This is shown in the scene where she goes through her hectic schedule that barely gives her time to pack for her flights, demonstrating that the life of a public figure and millionaire is not a walk in the park. She is fundamentally a brand that needs to abide to social expectations for the growth of her career, giving up her self-identity in exchange.
Although her various responsibilities stem from her position as a public figure and businesswoman, they are not the only factors that derive from her busy schedule. There is an underlying issue that does not allow her to stop working. In This is Paris, it is stated in a conversation between Paris and Nicky, her sister, that Paris has not rested in years. She is depicted as a person so in love with money that she cannot allow herself to have a short vacation. Her anxiety not only limits her health, but causes her to be a workaholic for money, which she later claims does not bring her happiness. The fact that there is no meaningful reason behind such aspirations implies that this is all an effort to fill her emotional void. This anxiety extends to Hilton’s trust issues, a vulnerable side that is shown not only in the handling of her business but also in her personal relationships. This trust issue built upon her past failed relationships further causes her to be paranoid to the extent of having hidden cameras in her own bedroom. Even though these problems might seem to be superficial in other people’s eyes, the nature of such actions might be the result of a deeper psychological problem.
Finally Spoken
As well as focusing on the adversities faced by Hilton, This Is Paris introduces a more relevant issue stemming from the negative image directed to rebellious teens prevalent during the 90s. As a direct victim of the notion of troubled teens, Hilton uncovers the childhood trauma that still haunts her until today to raise awareness and prevent the emergence of more victims. The story begins with her innocent early childhood before her rebellious stage. As Hilton began to rebel, her joyful childhood came to an end. This rebellion was what unknowingly gave her a one-way ticket to Provo Canyon School, a rehabilitation school for youths.
Hilton explains the physical and mental abuse that she faced while attending the treatment center in the 90s. She reveals how she was involuntarily taken from her bed to the school, forced to take pills every day, and put into solitary confinement as a punishment. After courageously displaying her own traumatic experiences, other Provo Canyon School survivors also share their stories in the documentary supporting Hilton’s cause. By putting the issue in the limelight, Hilton inspires other survivors to be vocal about their own traumatic experiences. The impact of This Is Paris was such that survivors were inspired and opened a march, calling for the closure of the treatment center. At this march, Hilton, featured as a speaker, promised to use her platforms and resources as a means to increase regulation of the industry.
One walking into the public eye is akin to walking into a lion’s den. From the moment Hilton appeared in front of the cameras, she immediately became the target for judgement and prejudice. This Is Paris portrays the complicated life of Paris Hilton as she overcomes a traumatic childhood and strives to achieve her goal. The original influencer notorious for her quote, “That’s Hot,” is no longer projected as the rich blond created in the early 2000s, but a survivor with an ambition that desires to make a change.
Film Information
Release Date: September 14, 2020
Director: Alexandra Dean
Cast: Paris Hilton, Kyle Richards, Kim Kardashian, Brandi Glanville, Kathy Hilton
Running Time: 110 minutes
Genre: Documentary