Paris Hilton says the trauma she endured as a teenager in so-called behavior camps ultimately pushed her toward the most important work she has ever done. In 2020, the hotel heiress released her documentary This Is Paris, exposing the abuse she and countless others experienced in “tough love” youth facilities across the U.S.
Hilton revealed she was taken from her home in what she described as a parent-approved kidnapping and sent to four different facilities, where she says she was forcibly medicated and sexually abused by staff. Speaking out about those experiences, she admits, was incredibly difficult.
She explained that these institutions rely on shame to silence victims, making it painful even to think about what happened. But when she shared her story, the response was overwhelming. Survivors from around the world reached out, thanking her for giving them the courage to speak and, in many cases, helping their families finally believe them. The experience showed her the power of vulnerability and honesty, even when it’s frightening.
Since the documentary’s release, Hilton, now 44, has testified before Congress multiple times and become a prominent advocate against the troubled teen industry. She says her efforts have already helped change 15 state laws and pass two federal bills aimed at protecting children from similar abuse—work she calls the most meaningful of her life.
Once known as one of the defining “It girls” of early-2000s Hollywood, Hilton reflects that her 20s were marked by relentless tabloid scrutiny alongside unresolved trauma. She describes that period as deeply painful and says she didn’t fully recognize how much she endured at the time.
Her latest film, Infinite Icon: A Visual Memoir, revisits her life and career as she prepares to release new music, celebrating her influence while acknowledging the challenges that shaped her journey.
