Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Paris Hilton
Public opinion and media debates around Paris Hilton—discover key moments of controversy.
Paris Hilton is an American media personality, socialite, and businesswoman, known for her prominent role in New York City's social scene in the late 1990s. She gained widespread recognition through the reality TV series "The Simple Life" (2003-2007), co-starring Nicole Richie. A leaked sex tape further boosted her fame. Hilton comes from the Hilton Hotels family, contributing to her initial exposure. She has since remained a fixture in popular culture and various business ventures.
1999: Release from Provo Canyon School
In early 1999, around the time she turned 18, Paris Hilton was released from Provo Canyon School, where she says she was mentally, physically, and sexually abused.
2001: Dating Rick Salomon
In 2001, Paris Hilton dated poker player Rick Salomon, with whom she filmed her sex tape.
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 catapulted her into global fame.
2003: Criticism in The New York Times
In 2003, John Leland of The New York Times opined that Paris Hilton's rise showed how far celebrity itself had been devalued.
2003: The Simple Life and Sex Tape Leak
In 2003, Paris Hilton co-starred in the reality television series "The Simple Life" with Nicole Richie. Also in 2003, a sex tape with her then-boyfriend Rick Salomon was leaked.
2003: Sex tape leaked
In 2003, a sex tape featuring Paris Hilton and then-boyfriend Rick Salomon was leaked onto the Internet shortly before the premiere of The Simple Life.
April 2004: Salomon Distributes "1 Night in Paris"
In April 2004, Salomon began independently distributing the sex tape titled "1 Night in Paris" through Red Light District Video.
July 2004: Lawsuit Dropped, Settlement Reached
In July 2004, Rick Salomon dropped his lawsuit against the Hilton family after Paris Hilton's privacy lawsuit was dismissed. Salomon and Red Light District Video agreed to pay Hilton US$400,000 plus a percentage of the tape's sale profit.
2004: Release of 1 Night in Paris
In 2004, the leaked 2003 sex tape with Rick Salomon was released as "1 Night in Paris", catapulting Paris Hilton to global fame.
May 2005: House of Wax Release and Carl's Jr. Ad
In May 2005, Paris Hilton's first major film role, "House of Wax", was released in theaters. Also in May 2005, Carl's Jr. aired a television advertisement featuring Hilton in a provocative swimsuit soaping up a Bentley automobile.
September 7, 2006: Hilton Arrested for DUI
On September 7, 2006, Paris Hilton was arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI), with a blood alcohol content of 0.08%.
November 2006: Hilton's Driver's License Suspended
In November 2006, Paris Hilton's driver's license was suspended.
2006: Celebrity 100 Inclusion and Overexposed Ranking
In 2006, Forbes included Paris Hilton in its Celebrity 100 list and ranked her as the most "overexposed" celebrity.
2006: Second-Worst Celebrity Role Model
In 2006, a poll conducted by the Associated Press and AOL concluded that Paris Hilton was the second-Worst Celebrity Role Model, behind Britney Spears.
January 22, 2007: Hilton Pleads No Contest to Reckless Driving
On January 22, 2007, Paris Hilton pleaded no contest to a reckless driving charge and was sentenced to 36 months' probation and fines totaling about US$1,500.
February 27, 2007: Hilton Stopped for Driving with Suspended License
On February 27, 2007, Paris Hilton was stopped for driving with a suspended license, violating a previous agreement.
May 4, 2007: Hilton Sentenced to Jail for Probation Violation
On May 4, 2007, Judge Michael T. Sauer sentenced Paris Hilton to 45 days in jail for violating her probation. Hilton initially planned to appeal the sentence.
June 5, 2007: Hilton Begins Jail Term
On June 5, 2007, Paris Hilton began her jail term at the Century Regional Detention Facility after attending the 2007 MTV Movie Awards on June 3, 2007.
June 7, 2007: Hilton Resentenced to Home Confinement
On June 7, 2007, Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca resentenced Paris Hilton to 40 days of home confinement with an electronic monitoring device due to an unspecified medical condition.
June 2007: Gallup Poll Results on Paris Hilton
According to a June 2007 Gallup poll, nearly two-thirds of Americans (63%) felt very unsympathetic toward Paris Hilton.
September 6, 2007: Hilton v. Hallmark Cards Lawsuit
On September 6, 2007, Paris Hilton filed an injunction lawsuit against Hallmark Cards Inc. over the unlawful use of her picture and catchphrase "That's hot" on a greeting card.
November 2007: Unfriendly Celebrity Ranking Among Children
According to a November 2007 online survey of children conducted by E-Poll Market Research, Paris Hilton ranked among the most unfriendly celebrities among children.
August 2008: Lawsuit by Worldwide Entertainment Group
In August 2008, Worldwide Entertainment Group sued Paris Hilton at the Miami District Court, alleging that she did not fulfill her contractual agreement to provide "reasonable promotion and publicity" for the film "Pledge This!".
2008: Forbes Ranking as Most Overexposed Celebrity
In 2008, Forbes ranked Paris Hilton as the most "overexposed" celebrity, stating that "65% of the U.S. population would use the term 'overexposed' to describe Hilton".
2008: Most Overexposed Celebrity Ranking
In 2008, Forbes ranked Paris Hilton as the most "overexposed" celebrity.
2008: Response to McCain Ad
In 2008, Paris Hilton responded to a John McCain presidential campaign ad that compared Barack Obama to celebrities such as herself with a Funny or Die video entitled Paris Hilton Responds to McCain Ad.
2008: Film Releases and Razzie Awards
In 2008, Paris Hilton starred in the critically and commercially unsuccessful film "The Hottie and the Nottie" and appeared in an episode of "My Name Is Earl." A documentary about her, "Paris, Not France," premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. She also played Amber Sweet in the gothic rock musical "Repo! The Genetic Opera." At the 29th Razzie Awards, she won Worst Actress for "The Hottie and the Nottie" and Worst Supporting Actress for "Repo!".
2008: Hilton's House Burglarized by Bling Ring
In 2008, Paris Hilton's house was burglarized several times by the Bling Ring, a group of fashion-motivated thieves.
2009: Hilton's House Burglarized by Bling Ring
In 2009, Paris Hilton's house was burglarized several times by the Bling Ring, a group of fashion-motivated thieves.
July 2, 2010: Hilton Accused of Smoking Marijuana at World Cup
On July 2, 2010, Paris Hilton was accused of smoking marijuana at the 2010 FIFA World Cup game. The case was later dismissed.
August 2010: Nathan Lee Parada Arrested Outside Hilton's House
In August 2010, Nathan Lee Parada was arrested after being spotted with two knives outside Paris Hilton's house.
August 27, 2010: Hilton Arrested for Cocaine Possession
On August 27, 2010, Paris Hilton was arrested by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department on suspicion of cocaine possession in Las Vegas. Her boyfriend, Cy Waits, was charged with driving under the influence.
September 17, 2010: Hilton Pleads Guilty to Misdemeanors
On September 17, 2010, to avoid a felony conviction, Paris Hilton pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors. She was sentenced to one year of probation, 200 hours of community service, a US$2,000 fine, and completion of a drug-abuse treatment program.
September 21, 2010: Hilton Detained at Narita Airport
On September 21, 2010, Paris Hilton and her sister Nicky were stopped by immigration officers at Narita Airport due to Hilton's drug-possession conviction. They were detained overnight.
October 2010: James Rainford Arrested for Trespassing at Hilton's House
In October 2010, James Rainford was arrested for trespassing at Paris Hilton's house and received three years' probation.
2010: International Paris Hilton Day cancelled
In 2010, International Paris Hilton Day in Warsaw was cancelled following a plane crash near Smolensk.
April 2011: Rainford Arrested for Attacking Cy Waits
In April 2011, James Rainford was arrested for attacking Paris Hilton's boyfriend, Cy Waits, outside Van Nuys Superior Court.
June 1, 2011: Premiere of The World According to Paris
On June 1, 2011, "The World According to Paris", a reality television series focused on Paris Hilton's daily life, premiered on Oxygen.
2011: Ipsos Poll Results
A 2011 Ipsos poll concluded that Paris Hilton was the most unpopular celebrity with Americans, with 60 percent of respondents viewing her unfavorably.
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 was met with negative reactions from other DJs.
September 20, 2012: Audio of Alleged Homophobic Comments Leaks
On September 20, 2012, an audio recording of what were perceived as homophobic comments made by Paris Hilton was leaked onto the Internet, leading to an apology issued through GLAAD.
November 2013: "Obsessed Fan" Flies Banners Over Malibu
In November 2013, an "obsessed fan" flew a plane over Malibu with banners professing his feelings for Paris Hilton and asking for permission to court her.
2013: International Paris Hilton Day discontinued
In 2013, International Paris Hilton Day was permanently discontinued due to controversial comments made by Paris Hilton the previous year.
October 2014: Tattooed Fan Arrested at Hilton's Community
In October 2014, Lukas Redanz, a man covered in tattoos of Paris Hilton, was arrested at her gated community.
December 2014: Hilton Receives Anti-Semitic Messages
In December 2014, Paris Hilton filed a report with the Los Angeles Police Department after receiving anti-Semitic messages on social media from a man who threatened her.
2015: Fan leaves Cadillac at Hilton's gate
In 2015, a fan posed as a delivery man and left a classic Cadillac at Hilton's gate.
2015: Hilton Target of Identity Theft Scheme
Starting in 2015, Paytsar Bkhchadzhyan began an identity theft scheme where she used Hilton's credit cards to book a party and stole nude photos of Hilton from her iCloud account.
2017: Bkhchadzhyan Arrested for Bank Fraud
In 2017, Paytsar Bkhchadzhyan was arrested for bank fraud conspiracy related to the identity theft scheme targeting Paris Hilton.
October 9, 2020: Rally Outside Provo Canyon School
On October 9, 2020, Paris Hilton held a rally outside Provo Canyon School in Utah to protest alleged abuse and programs for troubled teens, following the release of her documentary 'This is Paris'.
February 8, 2021: Testimony Before Utah State Legislature
On February 8, 2021, Paris Hilton testified before the Utah State Legislature in support of a measure requiring more government oversight of youth residential treatment centers, detailing her alleged abuse at Provo Canyon School.
2023: Backing the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act
In 2023, Paris Hilton joined members of Congress in backing the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act, which aims to provide greater oversight and data transparency for institutional youth treatment programs.
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