Paris Hilton, once known for her party girl persona and reality television stardom in the early 2000s, is now using her celebrity status for a different purpose. The millionaire heiress, whose family is behind the Hilton hotel chain, is advocating for child welfare and supporting the passing of the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act.
This legislation aims to establish an agency to ensure the well-being of youth in residential programs. Hilton has shared her own traumatic experiences of being sexually abused and medicated against her will after being sent to boarding school by her parents at the age of 16.
In a surprising turn of events, Hilton recently testified before the Ways and Means Committee in Congress, shedding her well-known persona and speaking in a more serious and assertive tone. While initially starting with her familiar valley girl voice, she quickly transitioned into a deeper and more authoritative voice when discussing important issues such as access to therapy and counseling.
Many were shocked by the sudden and drastic change in her voice during the hearing, with some comparing it to a classic code switch often seen in the Black community. Hilton has previously explained that her baby voice was part of a character she played and served as a mask to overcome her shyness. However, in her recent testimony, fans got a glimpse of the real Paris Hilton behind the persona.
Despite the mixed reactions to her voice change, Hilton’s testimony has sparked conversations about institutionalized abuse and the importance of supporting survivors. In her memoir, “Paris: The Memoir,” she detailed her experiences at Provo Canyon School in Utah, where she alleges she was abused as a teenager. The school was also the subject of the Netflix documentary “Hell Camp: Teen Nightmare,” with former students and employees speaking out about the mistreatment.
As Paris Hilton continues to use her platform to advocate for child welfare and survivors of abuse, she is shedding light on important issues and encouraging others to speak out against institutionalized abuse. She may have started as a Hollywood socialite, but she is now using her voice to make a difference in the world.