That's Hot: Paris Hilton Is More Iconic Than Ever

Paris Hilton continues to master the art of "sliving" as the iconic multihyphenate expands her brand to be more iconic than ever.

"I love bringing that sparkle, the rainbow and the sun to everything I do," says OG influencer Paris Hilton when I ask her how she has maintained that effervescent energy for so long. “I think maybe because I’m an Aquarius it just comes naturally to me. One of the things I love to do most in life is to make people happy and smile.”

The multihyphenate is giving us more reasons to smile than ever as she continues to build her brand with a newly debuted media company, a podcast (This Is Paris), music, DJ gigs, NFTs, fragrances (there are 29!) and other collections like her highly anticipated tracksuit line dropping this September. “I am really excited about what I’m building with 11:11 Media to really create a place not only for my business, but for other creators,” Hilton says. “I’m the one who wrote the playbook on this whole influencer-creator economy. I’ve been in the industry so long, and I’ve learned so much in Hollywood having to deal with some people that are not trustworthy. So, I really wanted to make a safe and amazing and impactful company with all different verticals, from television to audio to digital to products to building a brand. We basically have built this company now where we can help others’ dreams come true,” she explains. “That’s why I call it 11:11,” she says, referencing the time of day when people make a wish. “My whole mission with 11:11 Media is to help others’ dreams come true because I’m really good at doing that.”

Her renaissance is a perfect storm of all things Y2K being hot again. “I think that they really embrace that because there’s nothing like it,” Hilton says of the early 2000s having a major moment. “That was just the most fun time in fashion and nightlife. It was just really fun and carefree—the opposite of how it’s been during the pandemic—so I think that’s why they really embrace it.”

Embracing all things Y2K has primed the pump for the launch of Hilton’s tracksuit line this fall. “I’ve always loved the velour tracksuit and basically was the one who invented for everyone to start wearing them,” she says. “It’s called the Paris Hilton Iconic Tracksuit Collection. We just did our first drop and sold out right away and now we’re about to do the second one.” Hilton’s tracksuits offer an elevated riff on the throwback with her signature catchphrases emblazoned in Swarovski crystals. “These are just way more comfortable and way better quality,” she says. “And you could wear them not just to relax at home, but also to go out in, like to a meeting or even, like, a date. They are really just fun and look way cooler than the old ones.”

Listening to a recent podcast where Hilton and her sister, Nicky Hilton Rothschild, interview celebrity con artist Anna Sorokin, I realize her interview skills are seriously legit and, frankly, iconic. “When I do interviews, I want to make it fun for people to come on and have a good time,” she says. When asked what an interview of Paris by Paris would be like, Hilton says she would keep it light. “I’d probably just ask myself, like, ‘What is your spirit animal?’ (Unicorn.) ‘If you could have a superpower, what would it be?’ (To fly and be invisible.) ‘How does it feel to be called the queen of the metaverse?’ (Apparently, pretty awesome.).”

Hilton has long also been a queen of the catchphrase—and coined early aughts quotables like “That’s hot” and “That’s iconic.” Her latest addition to her lexicon is “sliving”—a combination of “slaying” and “living” that pretty much sums up her fun and fabulous approach to everything. “That’s just like a movement and a lifestyle. I love how it’s really catching on everywhere,” she says, sharing how fans now scream the mantra for living the good life everywhere she goes. The classic “That’s hot” is still going strong she says. “That’s just something that will always stick with me and the OG phrase.”

“Oh, I have one more,” Hilton interjects. “Legislation is hot.” Indeed. The bubbly beauty has a powerful platform she is using for the greater good. As a survivor of teen trauma, Hilton has become an outspoken advocate to protect other teens from the types of trauma she endured at boarding school. “It’s important because hundreds of children are dying in the name of treatment, and they don’t have a voice and nobody will believe them,” she says. “And I know from personal experience just how traumatic and horrifying it was—and what a nightmare to live through. It’s a $23 billion a year industry, and people are profiting off the abuse of children. I just can’t sleep at night knowing that. And now I can be the one to be the hero that I needed when I was a little girl and help save the lives of so many children. So that’s my main mission in life now and what I want my legacy to be—and something that’s really personal and close to my heart because of what I went through.”

Newly married, Hilton’s personal life seems to be enjoying equal success. “I’m so happy I found my other half and feel so safe,” she shares of her husband, venture capitalist Carter Reum. “We’re just so excited for this next chapter and building our lives together. He’s so kind and fun and supportive and brilliant and inspiring. He really lifts me up and supports me in ways that no man ever has and I feel like he’s an angel that rescued me from all these other guys who didn’t deserve me,” she says. “I’m just so grateful that I found him and I can’t wait for the future together.”

And her future continues to burn bright for sure. The blond beauty has been successful from an early age, and behind her seemingly frivolous facade is one seriously smart and savvy mogul. “It definitely runs in my blood,” she says of her intense drive and acumen. “My great-grandfather, Conrad, and my grandfather, Baron—they were such incredible businessmen. My grandfather was my mentor since I was a little girl. I didn’t want to be known as the Hilton Hotel granddaughter—I wanted to be known as Paris. So I’ve really worked very hard since I was a teenager to achieve that. And I think also just going through what I went through as a teenager from boarding schools, I made a promise to myself that I was gonna work so hard and become so successful that nobody could ever control me or tell me what to do ever again. And that I could be my own boss and be independent. I think I’ve always equated success [with] freedom and independence, so it’s always been a major focus of mine to never depend on anyone but myself.”

Queen of Sliving—long may she reign.