Public opinion and media debates around Paris Hilton—discover key moments of controversy.
Paris Hilton is an American media personality, businesswoman, and socialite, a great-granddaughter of Conrad Hilton. She gained initial attention in New York's social scene in the late 1990s and early 2000s, becoming known as an "It Girl." Her fame significantly increased with the reality TV series The Simple Life (2003–2007), co-starring Nicole Richie, and the release of a 2003 sex tape in 2004 titled 1 Night in Paris. This combination of factors propelled her to global celebrity status.
2001: Dated Rick Salomon
In 2001, Paris Hilton dated poker player Rick Salomon, with whom she filmed her sex tape.
Share
December 2003: Premiere of The Simple Life and Sex Tape Scandal
Shortly before the December 2003 premiere of The Simple Life, the scandal involving Paris Hilton's sex tape emerged, catapulting her to global fame.
Share
2003: The Simple Life and Sex Tape Release
In 2003, Paris Hilton co-starred in "The Simple Life" and a sex tape with her then-boyfriend Rick Salomon was leaked, which led to global fame.
Share
2003: Sex tape leaked
In 2003, a sex tape featuring Paris Hilton and Rick Salomon was leaked, leading to lawsuits.
Share
April 2004: Salomon Distributed the Sex Tape
In April 2004, Rick Salomon began distributing the sex tape, titled "1 Night in Paris," himself.
Share
July 2004: Dropped Lawsuit against Hilton Family
In July 2004, Rick Salomon dropped his lawsuit against the Hilton family after Paris Hilton's privacy lawsuit was dismissed.
Share
2004: 1 Night in Paris Release
In 2004, the leaked 2003 sex tape with her then-boyfriend Rick Salomon, was released as "1 Night in Paris", which catapulted her to global fame.
Share
September 7, 2006: Arrested for DUI
On September 7, 2006, Paris Hilton was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in Los Angeles.
Share
November 2006: Driver's License Suspended
In November 2006, Paris Hilton's driver's license was suspended.
Share
2006: Celebrity 100 Inclusion and Overexposed Ranking
In 2006, Forbes included Paris Hilton in its Celebrity 100 and ranked her as the most "overexposed" celebrity.
Share
2006: Forbes Ranks Paris Hilton as Most Overexposed
In 2006, Forbes ranked Paris Hilton as the most "overexposed" celebrity.
Share
2006: Targeted by Street Artist Banksy
In 2006, Hilton was targeted by the street artist Banksy, who replaced 500 copies of her album with his own alternative version in record shops across the UK.
Share
January 22, 2007: Pleaded No Contest to Reckless Driving
On January 22, 2007, Paris Hilton pleaded no contest to a reckless driving charge and received 36 months' probation and fines.
Share
February 19, 2007: Associated Press Reporting Ban Attempt
As a response to media over-saturation on Paris Hilton, the Associated Press attempted to not mention her for the week of February 19, 2007.
Share
February 27, 2007: Stopped for Driving with Suspended License
On February 27, 2007, Paris Hilton was stopped for driving with a suspended license.
Share
May 4, 2007: Sentenced to Jail for Probation Violation
On May 4, 2007, Paris Hilton was sentenced to 45 days in jail for violating her probation.
Share
June 5, 2007: Jail Term Begins
On June 5, 2007, Paris Hilton was required to begin her jail term and entered the Century Regional Detention Facility.
Share
June 7, 2007: Resentenced to Home Confinement, then Returned to Jail
On June 7, 2007, Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca resentenced Paris Hilton to 40 days of home confinement due to a medical condition, but Judge Michael Sauer ordered her return to jail the next day to serve her original 45-day sentence.
Share
June 2007: Poll Concludes Paris Hilton is Unsympathetic
According to a June 2007 Gallup poll, nearly two-thirds of Americans (63%) felt very unsympathetic toward Paris Hilton.
Share
June 26, 2007: Mika Brzezinski Refused to Read Report About Paris Hilton
On the June 26, 2007, broadcast of Morning Joe, Mika Brzezinski refused to read a report about Paris Hilton's release from jail.
Share
June 29, 2007: Us Weekly Published Paris-Free Issue
On June 29, 2007, Us Weekly published its first "100% Paris-Free" issue.
Share
September 6, 2007: Filing of Injunction Lawsuit Against Hallmark Cards
On September 6, 2007, Paris Hilton filed an injunction lawsuit against Hallmark Cards Inc. for unlawful use of her picture and catchphrase "That's hot" on a greeting card.
Share
November 2007: Online Survey Ranks Paris Hilton Among Unfriendly Celebrities Among Children
A November 2007 online survey of children ranked Paris Hilton among the most unfriendly celebrities.
Share
August 2008: Lawsuit for Pledge This! Promotion
In August 2008, Worldwide Entertainment Group sued Paris Hilton for not fulfilling her contractual agreement to promote the film Pledge This!.
Share
2008: Most Overexposed Celebrity by Forbes
Despite attempts to reduce coverage, Forbes ranked Paris Hilton as the most "overexposed" celebrity again in 2008.
Share
2008: Forbes Ranks Paris Hilton as Most Overexposed Again
In 2008, Forbes ranked Paris Hilton as the most "overexposed" celebrity a second time.
Share
2008: Most Overexposed Celebrity Ranking
In 2008, Forbes ranked Paris Hilton as the most "overexposed" celebrity.
Share
2008: Response to McCain Ad
In 2008, after being featured in a John McCain presidential campaign ad, Paris Hilton responded with a Funny or Die video titled Paris Hilton Responds to McCain Ad, generating widespread press coverage.
Share
February 2010: Advertising Campaign for Devassa Bem Loura
In February 2010, Paris Hilton participated in an advertising campaign for the Brazilian beer Devassa Bem Loura, riding the brewery's float in the Rio Carnival as part of the campaign.
Share
August 27, 2010: Arrested for Cocaine Possession in Las Vegas
On August 27, 2010, Paris Hilton was arrested in Las Vegas on suspicion of cocaine possession, while her boyfriend was charged with DUI.
Share
September 17, 2010: Pleaded Guilty to Misdemeanors
On September 17, 2010, to avoid a felony conviction, Paris Hilton pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors related to drug possession. She was sentenced to probation, community service, a fine, and a drug-abuse treatment program.
Share
September 21, 2010: Detained in Japan due to Drug Conviction
On September 21, 2010, Paris Hilton and her sister were detained by immigration officers at Narita Airport in Japan due to Hilton's drug-possession conviction.
Share
2011: Ipsos Poll Concludes Paris Hilton is Most Unpopular Celebrity with Americans
A 2011 Ipsos poll concluded that Paris Hilton was the most unpopular celebrity with Americans.
Share
June 28, 2012: DJ Debut at Brazil's Pop Music Festival
On June 28, 2012, Paris Hilton made her debut as a DJ at Brazil's Pop Music Festival, which received negative reactions from established DJs.
Share
September 20, 2012: Homophobic Comments Leak and Apology
On September 20, 2012, an audio leaked online of what were perceived as homophobic comments made by Paris Hilton, leading to a backlash and subsequent apology through GLAAD.
Share
2012: Forbes Overexposed Ranking
In 2012, Forbes ranked Paris Hilton fifth in its list of most overexposed celebrities.
Share
2013: Hilton Claimed She Never Made Money off Sex Tape
In 2013, Paris Hilton claimed she never made money off her sex tape and makes enough from her fragrance line.
Share
2013: International Paris Hilton Day Discontinued
In 2013, the annual International Paris Hilton Day event in Warsaw was permanently discontinued due to controversial comments made by Hilton the previous year.
Share
2014: Forbes Overexposed Ranking
In 2014, Forbes ranked Paris Hilton eighth in its list of most overexposed celebrities.
Share
October 9, 2020: Rally Outside Provo Canyon School
On October 9, 2020, Paris Hilton held a rally outside Provo Canyon School in Utah, protesting alleged abuse and programs for troubled teens.
Share
2020: This Is Paris Documentary Release
In 2020, the YouTube Originals documentary 'This Is Paris' was released, revealing Paris Hilton's experiences with abuse at boarding schools.
Share
February 8, 2021: Testimony Before the Utah State Legislature
On February 8, 2021, Paris Hilton testified before the Utah State Legislature in support of a proposed measure to increase government oversight of youth residential treatment centers. She detailed alleged abuse she suffered at Provo Canyon School.
Share
2022: Testimony Before the United States House Committee on Ways and Means
In 2022, Paris Hilton appeared before the United States House Committee on Ways and Means to testify in support of measures aimed at improving child welfare in the United States.
Share
2023: Backing the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act
In 2023, Paris Hilton joined members of Congress in supporting the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act, aimed at improving oversight and data transparency for youth treatment programs to prevent child abuse.
Share