Paris Hilton, the pop culture sensation known for her distinctive “baby” voice, has revealed that this unique vocal style originated as a “trauma response.”
Back in 2020, Hilton first hinted that the high-pitched voice that fans had come to know wasn’t her true speaking tone. In a recent chat with singer Bebe Rexha for Nylon, she explored what it meant to let go of the playful persona that shaped this voice, especially while working on her new album, Infinite Icon.
“I wanted to craft this perfect Barbie doll life due to my experiences in a behavior modification facility as a teenager,” Hilton shared, alluding to the serious abuses she faced during that time. “It was like wearing a protective mask,” she confessed.
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Along with her friend Nicole Richie, Hilton became a household name through the reality series The Simple Life, which depicted their lives alongside everyday people—far removed from their usual glamorous lifestyle.
“I had no idea the show would blow up and run for five seasons. I found myself using that voice for countless interviews and late-night shows, and I just got used to it,” she noted.
Interestingly, Hilton didn’t use her natural voice on her self-titled debut album in 2006, which included the popular track “Stars Are Blind.” However, this time around, with input from Australian artist Sia on Infinite Icon, she was encouraged to embrace her real speaking voice while recording.
“I mostly used my breathy Marilyn voice back then,” she explained about her earlier music style. “But Sia really motivated me to sing as I actually talk.”
Although she’s started to adopt her real voice more often, Hilton mentioned that the playful tone isn’t going anywhere. “I’ve been on a journey of self-discovery these past few years, with my documentary and memoir. That voice is my fun side. I’ll still use it if I’m feeling shy or playful—it’s just part of who I am,” she said.
Infinite Icon is currently available.