11 hours ago
Paris Hilton on building a business empire as the original influencer
Paris Hilton's evolution from reality TV to product partnerships and media ventures has relied on ensuring every new venture is authentic to her and her lifestyle, she told Axios' Sara Fischer in Cannes.
Why it matters: Hilton was the original influencer and has continued to grow her brand and businesses over decades of fame.
"I think everyone loves that I've always stayed true to myself. People first got to know me through 'The Simple Life' and the character I was playing, which was a lot of fun," Hilton said.
Zoom out: Hilton has expaded her brand into new categories:
Razr+ phone: She recently partnered with Motorola to launch a Paris Hilton edition of the iconic 00's flip phone she helped popularize.
Hilton's 11:11 Media houses a portfolio of global media brands which span television, film, books, fragrances, fashion, skin care and more. The company did an animated series called " Paris and Pups" last year that will be published by Scholastic as a new children's book series.
As a "sliving" mom — a portmanteau of "slaying" and "living your best life" she coined in 2019 — she has a kid's clothing line at Walmart and will be launching toys and products for children.
Between the lines: After releasing the "This is Paris" documentary in 2020, Hilton said she's found "power in being vulnerable and being real and talking about things that are difficult."
The documentary touches on childhood trauma, the reform schools she attended meant to curb her teenage rebellion and the glare of growing up in the spotlight.
"That's the first time where I really peeled back the layers and showed that there was much more to me than this character, and now people are connecting with me in an even deeper way," she said.
What's next: Besides launching new products, Hilton said she'll be following in her family's footsteps and getting into the hotel business.
